Athletic Placement Process Home

New York State Education Department (NYSED) permits pupils to be placed at levels of competition appropriate to their physiological maturity, physical fitness and skills in relationship to other pupils on those teams in accordance with standards established by the commissioner, which is called the Athletic Placement Process (APP).  The APP is not to be used to fill roster vacancies, provide extra playing opportunities, replace a modified athletic program, or reward a student.  Instead, it is aimed at the limited number of students who may benefit from competing at another level.

A student in grades 7 or 8 may try out for a high school team only by invitation of the district athletic director.  A coach, after reviewing the student's sport-specific skill development and knowledge of the game, may ask the athletic director to consider a student. The athletic director will use the updated student-readiness criteria which requires students to demonstrate sufficient:

• Personal and social responsibility;
• Sport-specific skill development;
• Knowledge of the game; and
• Physical fitness.

If the student meets the above criteria, the athletic director will send an invitation to the student & parent/guardian inviting the student to try out for the high school team (JV or Varsity).  The parent will be required to sign and return the informed parental consent form.  Students invited through the APP will have the same team-selection criteria for all students who try out for the team.  The student is not guaranteed a roster spot and must make the team via the tryout process.