1. Scholarship

(Note: CPS Grade Point Average standards are higher than OHSAA minimum standards). Important Note: The Academic Eligibility Policy outlined below applies to all students participating in any school-sponsored athletic or non-athletic extracurricular activity.

Eligibility for each school-sponsored extracurricular activity in grades 7-12 is determined by grades received during the preceding grading period. Semester, final, rubric or summer school grades have no effect on eligibility.

Important Note: OHSAA Bylaw 4-4-7 states that Summer School and other educational options (APEX, “fifth quarter” credit recovery classes, etc.) may not be used to substitute for failure to meet the academic standards during the last quarter of the school year.

Note: No additional time will be given a student to avoid a failing grade and once a grade has been recorded, it may not be changed for the purpose of restoring eligibility. Only “incompletes” may be used to restore academic eligibility once the work is made up and a grade recorded in accordance with Board policy and Exception 3 under revised OHSAA By-Law 4-4-1.

Grades 9-12: Students who wish to participate in extracurricular activities in Grades 9-12 must be currently enrolled and must have been enrolled in school during the immediately preceding grading period. During the immediately preceding grading period, the student must have received passing grades in a minimum of five (5) one credit courses or the equivalent which count toward graduation. Each student must also maintain a minimum grade point average (G.P.A.) of no less than 1.0. Students in Grades 9-12 in the Cincinnati Public Schools who wish to participate in extracurricular activities must maintain a 2.0 Grade Point Average on a 4.0 scale. (All courses will be counted in the cumulative average and quarterly eligibility is independent of the eligibility status of previous quarters.)

C.P.S. High School Grade Point Average Requirement:

Students eligible by OHSAA standards with a cumulative G.P.A. of less than 2.0 during the immediately preceding grading period may participate provided they actively participate in identified academic intervention programs as formally established by his or her school. These intervention measures may include weekly eligibility checks, tutoring sessions, study tables, etc. Failure to participate in such intervention programs will result in ineligibility until the conclusion of the quarterly grading period.

 Important note for students starting Grade 9: Students entering the ninth grade for the first time may participate in extracurricular activities for the first quarter of the school year provided they received passing grades in 75% of their core subject courses (those that meet every day and are the ones used to determine promotion or retention) during the fourth quarter of eighth grade. After the first quarter, continued eligibility will be determined by the criteria outlined above pertaining to all other high school students.

Important: The eligibility or ineligibility of a student continues until the start of the fifth school day of the next grading period at which time the grades from the immediately preceding grading period become effective. Exception: Eligibility or ineligibility for the first grading period commences with the start of the Fall season.

Grade 7: Students entering the seventh grade for the first time may participate in extracurricular activities for the first quarter of the school year regardless of past academic performance. After the first quarter, participation is based on meeting the following requirements:

d)   Since grading methods differ so much throughout the school district, there is no minimum G.P.A. requirement for students in Grades 7 & 8.

2. Residence

Students are eligible in the school district where their parent(s)/legal guardian(s) reside. When a change of residential parent or legal custodian results in a change of school district, the student is eligible in the district of residence of the new guardian provide the student lives with the guardian.

 3. Changing High Schools - Transfers

OHSAA Bylaw 4-7-2: If a student transfers after the fifth day of the student's ninth grade year or after having established eligibility prior to the start of school by playing in a contest (scrimmage, preview or regular season/tournament contest) from a non-public to a public school, from a public to a non-public school, from a public to a public school within the Cincinnati Public School District, or from a non-public to a non-public school, the student will be ineligible for one year from the date of enrollment.

Subject to the specific provisions of this Section 7 – Transfer, the following exceptions to the general transfer bylaws may apply. These bylaws apply to all students enrolled in grades 9-12. 

Exception 1: If the parents or legal guardian make a bona fide change residence from one public school district to another public school district, the student may enroll in either the public school within the boundaries of that public school district that includes the residence of the parents or legal guardian or any non-public school. The student is ineligible until ruled eligible by the Commissioner’s Office upon submission of a completed Affidavit of Bona Fide Residence and accompanying guidelines. (This does not apply to parents making a bona fide legal change of residence into the State of Ohio for the first time).

Exception 2: If the student is a ward of a court-appointed guardian, and there is a subsequent change in that guardian that results in a change of school district, the student shall be eligible in the district of residence of the new guardian or any non-public school provided the student lives with the guardian.

Exception 3: If and only if, either one of the parents in a Shared Parenting Plan makes a bona fide legal change of residence, the student will be eligible in the public school or non-public school located in the residential district of either parent. An Affidavit of Bona Fide Residence may be required.

Exception 4: If the school in which the student is enrolled closes, the student may enroll in any school and be immediately eligible.

Exception 5: If the bona fide residence of the student’s parents is annexed to a different school district or consolidated within an existing school district, the student may be ruled eligible at another school by the OHSAA Commissioner.

 Exception 6: A student shall be entitled to transfer once into a public high school located in the public school district within which the student’s parent residence is located regardless of from where the student is transferring. Use of this exception requires the submission of the Exception 6 form to the O.H.S.A.A. office to document the transfer

Exception 7: A student may return to non-public education by transferring from the high school located in the district of residence of the parents to a non-public high school and have their eligibility restored O.H.S.A.A. Commissioner provided certain conditions are met.

Exception 8: A student who does not live in the same school district as the parents or legal guardian and who is financially self-supporting may be ruled eligible upon approval of the OHSAA Commissioner at a school in the district where the student resides.

Exception 9: A student transferred to the State School for the Blind or the State School for the Deaf shall be eligible upon enrollment.

Exception 10: The OHSAA Commissioner may waive the residence requirement in those cases where the parents live outside the school district because their domicile is not available for habitation. . Ineligible until ruled eligible by the OHSAA Commissioner.

Exception 11: If, and only if, a school district ceases to sponsor its interscholastic athletic program, a student may be eligible at another school and continue their eligibility if certain conditions are met. Ineligible until ruled eligible by the OHSAA Commissioner.

For intra-district transfers from one school to another within the Cincinnati Public School District, the following OHSAA policies will be in effect.

By-Law 4-7-2 of the O.H.S.A.A. states  “If a student transfers after the first day of the student’s ninth grade year…the student will be ineligible for one year from the date of enrollment in the school to which the student transferred. A student is considered to have transferred whenever the student changes from that school in which the student was enrolled as ninth grader to any other school regardless of whether the school is…public or non-public, member or non-member or whether the high schools are within the same school district.”

By-Law 4-7-3 states: “The superintendent or person delegated by the superintendent may transfer students within the system without jeopardizing their eligibility only in the following circumstances:

a)    The previous school closes or there was a mistake in the student’s initial placement,

b)   The student is a child with a disability whose program as prescribed by the student’s I.E.P. has been changed to another high school,

c)    The student transfers pursuant to state or federal statutes addressing academically poor performing schools, and the student can demonstrate that the transfer is for purely academic reasons. Such transfers become effective only after approval by the Commissioner.

Revised By-Law 4-7-6: If a student transfers to a high school within the same public school district, the student may have his/her eligibility restored by the OHSAA Commissioner’s Office provided the following conditions have been met:

1)    The student has been reassigned to the high school by the school district as a result of a specific change of academic program; and

2)    The transfer and the request for approval takes place prior to the beginning of the school year; and

3)    The District petitions the Commissioner’s Office for the restoration of eligibility for the student; and

4)    The student is ruled eligible by the Commissioner’s Office prior to the beginning of the school year.

If a transfer takes place during the sport season in which the student has participated in an interscholastic contest in a sport, (i.e. scrimmages, previews, regular season or tournament games, meets, matches, etc.), the student is ineligible in that sport for the remainder of that sport’s season in the school district into which the student has transferred. A student may not use any of the exceptions under By-Law 4-7-2 or 4-7-4 unless the parents make a bona fide move into a new public high school district located at least 50 miles from the school from which the student transferred. 

4. Semesters of Eligibility.

Students who enroll in Grade 9 for the first time have eight (8) semesters of eligibility from that point whether or not the student participates in athletics. A student who is enrolled 15 or more days in any semester or who participates in an interscholastic contest prior to or during a semester, shall have that semester count as one semester of eligibility. A student who does not attend school in a semester due to suspension or expulsion shall have that semester(s) count in the total of 8 that are permitted.

5. Age Limitations

Grades 9-12: Students who become 19 years of age prior to August 1 of the current school year are not eligible to participate in athletics.

Grades 7-8: Students who become 15 years of age prior to August 1 of the current school year are not eligible to participate. Middle School students who turn 15 before August 1 of the current school year are eligible to participate in athletics at the High School level provided they have met all other requirements.

6. Daily Attendance

To participate in extracurricular activities, a student must be in attendance for at least one-half of the school day on the day of the activity. Exceptions, due to special circumstances, will be at the discretion of the Principal. Coaches should check the absentee list to make certain that all team members are meeting their daily attendance requirements.

7. Physical Examination/Medical Clearance to Participate

Grades 9-12: Students must have the proper forms on file prior to participating in any conditioning program or practice session for any sport. These forms consist of:

a.    Athletic Medical History/Parental Consent & Physical Examination Form: Each student must have a Physical Examination Form signed by a medical examiner (Physician- M.D., D.O. or D.C., Advanced Nurse Practitioner or Physician’s Assistant) that provides proof of physical fitness to participate. This physical is valid for one year from the date it is given. Parents will also be asked to answer a number of questions regarding their child's medical history as part of this pre-participation medical examination process. Note: If the pre-participation medical evaluation is conducted between May 1 and June 1, it is valid for one calendar year plus the remainder of the next school year.

b.    OHSAA Eligibility Statement & Authorization Forms: Must be signed by parent(s)/guardian(s) and the student and submitted with the physical form.

 c. C.P.S. Athletic Release of Liability & Emergency Information Form:  This form must be on file for each team member. Copies must be in the possession of the coach at all practice sessions and games in the event that the student must receive emergency medical treatment. Parent(s)/guardian(s) will be asked for information on their preferences in the case of serious injury or if the student must be transported to a hospital for treatment. Students and parents must also acknowledge that they are fully aware of the risks associated with athletic participation. 

 Grades 7 & 8: Students must have the proper forms on file prior to participating in any conditioning program or practice session for any sport. Please read the information below carefully and understand the requirements fully. These forms consist of:

 a)    Parental Medical Authorization to Participate Form/Physical Examination Form.  Parents should be strongly encouraged to have their child receive an annual physical examination to determine their fitness for participation. These physical examinations are valid for one (1) calendar year from the date of the examination. Prior to the physical examination by a physician or other licensed medical practitioner, parents will complete and sign a form outlining the child's medical history.

IMPORTANT: Many parents of our 7^th & 8^th graders cannot or will not arrange for an annual athletic physical for their child. Parents/Guardians will be permitted to sign the front side of the Parental Medical Authorization to Participate Form where a student will be permitted to participate without a physical based on parental consent. Make certain that you have either a physical examination form signed by a physician or parental authorization before allowing any student to participate in school-sponsored athletic activities.

 b)   Athletic Release of Liability & Emergency Information Form.  Parent(s)/Guardian(s) will be asked for their medical treatment preferences and hospital of choice in case of serious injury. Copies of this form must be in the possession of the coach at all practice sessions and games in the event the student must receive emergency medical treatment. Coaches expose themselves to significant legal liability if these forms are not available when an emergency requires quick and decisive action by the coach and/or school personnel.

 Please consult the current OHSAA Eligibility Information Bulletin for a more complete outline of the state eligibility requirements. You may obtain more complete eligibility information at www.ohsaa.org

 Under no circumstances should an ineligible athlete be permitted to engage in interscholastic competition whether it is a practice, scrimmage or games. Athletes who are ineligible are to be notified and barred from further participation unless the coach, Athletic Director or Principal feel that the best interests of the student and team will be served by allowing the student to practice with the team. This should only be considered where allowing the student to practice with the team is likely to provide the necessary motivation for the student to regain academic eligibility during the upcoming grading period. Coaches should notify the Athletic Director and/or Principal of their intention to allow an ineligible athlete to practice with their team. We must make every effort to avoid the serious consequences that will arise from participation of ineligible students on any of our teams.

 Coaches should create a roster of team members as quickly as possible to establish their academic eligibility. This will prevent awkward situations where athletes must be told they are ineligible after having participated in pre-season conditioning, tryouts or practice sessions.

 **Never use the students themselves as an “official” source of information when checking academic eligibility. Athletic Directors/Coordinators and coaches should check all elements of student eligibility personally. By doing so, you will greatly reduce the risk of permitting an ineligible student to participate.