High school athletes must meet minimum academic requirements set by the statewide activities and athletics association, but most school districts require higher standards for their students.
Here are excerpts of high school academic eligibility rules in South Sound school districts and several private schools. Students not meeting requirements can’t compete, but can practice with the team and regain eligibility by raising their grades within the time frame designated by their district.
AUBURN
Uses WIAA rule. Pass at least four of six classes.
BELLARMINE PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Earn at least a 1.8 GPA and pass five classes in the semester before the sport season. During the season, the GPA minimum does not apply, but athletes must be passing five of seven classes.
BETHEL
Uses WIAA rule, but schools and coaches can set more stringent requirements.
CHARLES WRIGHT ACADEMY
Follows WIAA rule. No separate academic eligibility standard for athletes, but all students go on academic probation if their GPA falls below 2.0; they must raise it to 2.0 the following semester or won’t be readmitted to the school.
CLOVER PARK
Maintain at least a 2.0 GPA and pass all classes.
EATONVILLE
Pass all classes.
ENUMCLAW
Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 and maintain at least a 1.7 GPA in the quarter before and during the sport season. Students with lower cumulative or quarter grades can request a waiver once during their high school career.
FEDERAL WAY
Earn a C-minus or better in each class in the semester before the sport season and during the season. At the first six-week grade check in the season, students must have a C-minus or better in each class, or they may have an overall GPA of 2.6 as long as they have no F’s. (Federal Way students must earn a C-minus or better to pass a course.)
FIFE
Pass at least three of four classes the previous semester and during sport season.
FRANKLIN PIERCE
(Franklin Pierce high schools do not give D’s, so students must perform at least at 70 percent, the equivalent of a C, to pass a course.) For initial eligibility, students must pass four of six classes or five of eight classes in the semester before the sport season. During the season, they should be passing all classes, but are allowed to continue competing for three weeks if they are failing one course at 65 to 69.9 percent – the equivalent of a D to a D-plus in other districts. If they don’t raise the grade to passing after three weeks, have an F at a percentage lower than 65 percent, or get a second F at any percentage, they’re placed on academic probation and can’t compete. If they’re on probation twice and don’t raise their grade, they can be dropped from the team.
LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Maintain at least 2.0 GPA and have no F’s.
NORTH THURSTON
Pass at least four of six classes the semester before the sport season and have a 2.0 or better GPA. Those who fail to attain a 2.0 GPA after five weeks are removed from the team but can appeal. At two-week grade checks in season, have a 2.0 GPA or higher.
ORTING
Pass at least four of six classes and earn at least a 2.0 GPA.
PENINSULA
Maintain at least a 2.0 GPA and pass all but one class. Coaches can set more stringent requirements for their team.
PUYALLUP
Uses WIAA rule. Pass at least four of six classes.
STEILACOOM
Maintain at least a 2.0 GPA with no F’s.
SUMNER
Pass all classes and earn at least a 2.0 GPA.
TACOMA
Tenth- through 12th-graders must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA and fail no more than one course from previous semester and during sport season. Ninth-graders in their first semester must pass at least four of six classes; in second semester they must have at least a 2.0 GPA with no more than one failing grade.
UNIVERSITY PLACE
Maintain at least a 2.0 GPA and pass at least four of six classes.
WHITE RIVER
Maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, pass each class, and be on track to graduate based on credits, not on the WASL exam.
YELM
Pass at least four of six classes the semester before sport season; the requirement will change to passing five of six classes next school year. During season, pass all classes.
Debby Abe, The News Tribune
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