The APP is a program for evaluating students who want to participate in sports at a higher level, consistent with their physical and emotional maturity, size, fitness level, and skills compared to other students at that level. If students successfully complete the APP, the Board will allow:

1)  Students in 7th grade to compete on freshmen and junior varsity sports teams.

Students in 7th grade are eligible to compete on the following varsity athletic teams: tennis, swimming, diving, cross-country, track and field, bowling, baseball and softball

2)  Students in 8th grade to compete on freshmen, junior varsity, and varsity athletic teams.

   The APP process requires:

1)  Administrative approval:  physical education teachers, coaches and/or students, may ask the athletic director to evaluate a student under the APP, or the athletic director (AD) may do so on his/her own accord. The student must be academically, socially, emotionally, and physically ready to proceed as determined by the personnel involved in the processing.

2)  Parent/guardian consent:  written permission must be granted before any evaluation may begin.

3)  Medical clearance:  physical maturity will be determined by the District medical director or the student's private physician in accordance with State Education Department guidelines. The medical director or private physician will take into account the height, weight, muscle mass, and Tanner rating of the student compared to other athletes he or she would compete against.

4)  Skill evaluation:  the coach may rely on past personal observations, information from former coaches, or his/her own observations of the student in a physical education class.

5)  Physical fitness test:  A certified physical education teacher who is not the student's coach will administer the President's Physical Fitness Test. The student must meet the 85th percentile level for their age in four out of five parts. Students trying out for junior varsity or varsity golf or bowling are exempt from the physical fitness tests.

6)  AD determination:  the AD will evaluate the medical, skills, and physical fitness test results.

    Students who pass all APP components will then be permitted to try out for the sport and level requested.

Records

    The AD will maintain all records related to the successful student's APP processing. This includes: parent/guardian permission form, medical clearance form, skill evaluation, and fitness testing.

    After the try-out period ends, the AD will send a notice to the physical education director/athletic director of competitor districts and to the athletic governing board or section office of all athletes who have successfully completed the APP.

Waivers for Students With Disabilities

    A student with a disability who has not yet graduated from high school may be eligible to participate in a high school non-contact athletic competition for an additional year under limited conditions. Sports are swimming and diving, track and field, cross country and bowling.

    The student must apply for and be granted a waiver to the age requirement and four-year-participation limitation. The Superintendent will grant a waiver if he/she determines that the student's participation will not adversely affect the opportunity of other students competing in the sport to successfully participate and the student:

1)  Has not graduated from high school as a result of his/her disability delaying his/her education for one year or more;

2)  Is otherwise qualified to compete in the athletic competition for which he/she is applying;

3)  Was selected for the same competition in the past; and

4)  Obtains medical clearance after a physical evaluation confirming that he/she has the appropriate level of physical development and maturity and his/her participation will not present a safety or health concern for the student.

    The student's participation in the additional season of athletic competition will not be scored for purposes of the competition.

    The Superintendent should send a copy of his/her waiver decision to the local section of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA).

Education Law Sections 310, 3208-a, 4401

8 NYCRR Sections 135.4(c)(7)(ii)(a)(4), 135.4(d)