All students who achieve MCPS and MPSSAA eligibility standards have the opportunity to try out for teams in the interscholastic athletics program. Only those students who satisfy MCPS and MPSSAA eligibility criteria may participate in practices and contests. The following are the MCPS eligibility standards required for participation.

Academic Eligibility

The following items are interpretations of MCPS Policy IQD, Extracurricular Activities, and MCPS Regulation IQD-RA, Academic Eligibility for High School Students who participate in interscholastic athletics. Coaches and athletic departments will support students participating in interscholastic athletics to promote academic excellence and persistence towards their graduation requirements.

A student who participates in interscholastic athletics must maintain a minimum 2.0 unweighted marking period grade average with no more than one failing grade in a marking period in order to participate in any athletic contests or to participate in or attend any practices during the next marking period. This regulation does not apply to students who are:

• Entering from a non-MCPS school for the first time; eligibility standards become effective after they complete their initial marking period in MCPS.
• Entering high school for the first time (first time ninth graders); these eligibility standards become effective as of their second year in high school as initially determined by their marking period average in the fourth quarter of their first year of high school.

Grades earned in High School Plus (Edmentum), Online Pathways, or at the George B. Thomas Sr. Learning Academy (Saturday School) are not considered in determining a student’s athletic eligibility.

When a student transfers from an MCPS high school to a non-MCPS high school and subsequently transfers back to MCPS, the grades the student earned at the non-MCPS high school will be used to determine academic eligibility, provided the student has attended the non- MCPS high school for at least one complete marking period.

A multi-hour course is counted as multiple courses when determining whether a student has maintained a 2.0 marking period grade average, but is counted as one course when determining the number of failed classes.

A grade of D or above shall be considered passing and a grade of E or NC (no credit) shall be considered failing. Each E or NC is factored in when determining the marking period grade average. A grade of CR (credit) is not counted in determining the marking period grade average. An unsatisfactory evaluation in a noncredit assignment, such as student aide, shall not be considered failing for eligibility purposes. A grade of NG (no grade) is not to be included as either passing or failing in the calculation of the marking period grade average.

When a student withdraws from a course after 25 days, the grade at the time of withdrawal will be used when determining eligibility for the next marking period. A student may not withdraw from more than one course after the 25-day drop/add period for eligibility purposes. This does not apply to withdrawal because of level of class, i.e., honors to regular class. When a student withdraws from school, the grades at the time of withdrawal are used in determining eligibility.

A student passing all but one subject with at least a 2.0 marking period grade average may participate in interscholastic athletics during the next marking period, provided that conduct and attendance have been satisfactory. Students taking a minimum of one or two courses must pass each course and maintain a 2.0 unweighted marking period grade average to be eligible.

On the day that the report card is issued, each coach is responsible for verifying that all student-athletes are eligible and enforcing these eligibility standards.

 A student’s eligibility status begins on the day that a report card is issued and continues until the day the next report card is issued.

Grades reported as incomplete shall be considered passing grades for 10 school days after report cards are issued. Incomplete grades that are not changed to a passing grade within 10 school days will be considered failing for eligibility purposes.

Students who do not maintain a 2.0 marking period grade average with no more than one failing grade during the final (fourth) marking period will not be eligible in the fall. Students have the opportunity to replace only one fourth marking period grade in which they received a “D” or failing grade by repeating the course in summer school. If none of the fourth marking period courses in which the student received a “D” or failing grade are offered in summer school, the student will be allowed to take another course in the same subject area. If a course in the same subject area is not available, then the student and his/her counselor may decide on an appropriate alternative course. The final summer session grade from the appropriate alternative course will replace the lowest course grade from the fourth marking period and will be applied to determine the student’s eligibility status. This alternative course will replace the grade for eligibility purposes only; credit earned will be applied according to the course taken.

Age

Refer to the MPSSAA Handbook Regulation .02, C.: “Students who are 19 years old or older as of August 31st are ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics.”

For the 2025–2026 school year, a student’s birth date must be after August 31, 2006.

Attendance

1. Participation in any athletic event or practice requires student-athletes to attend all of their scheduled classes on the day of the event or practice. Student-athletes who have prescheduled activities, such as a medical appointment, court appearance, driver’s exam, or religious observance, will be permitted to participate in events/practices on the day of the absence, provided approval for the absence has been granted in advance. The athletic director in each school will establish a procedure for obtaining this approval and for handling unforeseen emergencies. Prior approval is not necessary for approved school activities. Student-athletes who have an excused absence on Friday may participate in athletic events on Saturday.
2. A student-athlete who is absent from any class without obtaining prior approval may not participate in practices or contests on the day they are absent.
3. Student-athletes who do not obtain prior approval and do practice will not compete in the first contest after the violation is verified.
4. A student-athlete may not compete in the first scheduled contest after an unexcused absence is verified.
5. Repeated unexcused absences or chronic tardiness to any class will be sufficient reason for declaring a student ineligible at any time. The athletic director, in consultation with the coach, will determine the date and terms of ineligibility.

Medical Evaluations/Injuries, Illness, Surgery, Concussions

All students-athletes who desire to participate in interscholastic athletics require an annual medical evaluation performed by a licensed physician, certified physician assistant under the supervision of a licensed physician, or certified nurse practitioner. MCPS Form SRS-8: Pre-participation Physical Evaluation, is to be used to submit evidence of this evaluation. This evaluation is valid for 13 months except when the student has had a significant injury, illness, or major surgery. A student-athlete who has suffered a significant injury or significant illness, has had major surgery, or is suspected of having suffered a concussion is required to either submit a new medical evaluation or notification signed by a licensed health care provider (LHCP) verifying that it is safe for the student to participate.

Online Registration

1. Before students are allowed to tryout or practice, they must submit a current medical evaluation (MCPS Form SRS-8) and complete the online registration process through the online portal.
2. Completion of the online registration process ensures that students and parents/guardians have submitted information contained in the Student-Parent Participation Contract/Parent Permission Form, emergency medical card, baseline testing consent form, and forms pertaining to concussions and cardiac arrest.
3. Through the online registration process, all students and parent/guardians are required to review health and safety information provided on the MCPS Athletics web page, including materials on baseline testing, concussions, and sudden cardiac arrest.
4. Students and parents/guardians must also electronically submit MCPS Form 560-31: Application to Participate in an Activity Away from School for Which MCPS Transportation Is Not Provided, during the ParentVue online registration process.
5. Students must submit other forms or contracts as required by the school.

Transfer Rule

Students who transfer or receive a Change of School Assignment (COSA) from their home attendance area school without a change of residence of the parents or legal guardian will be ineligible to participate in athletics for one calendar year from the date of enrollment at the new school. If unusual circumstances exist, a student may appeal the ineligibility in writing to the systemwide athletics compliance coordinator, 850 Hungerford Drive, Room 167, Rockville, Maryland 20850. A copy of an approved MCPS Form 335-45: Change of School Assignment (COSA), must accompany the appeal.

Middle school students who legally attended school outside of their residence area and who wish to remain in that pattern will need to reapply for a transfer at the high school level. If a COSA or transfer is granted under this condition, athletic ineligibility is waived automatically.

Residency

Per MPSSAA regulation .02A, students must be officially registered and attending the school they are authorized to attend per MCPS regulations.

They may represent only the school in which they are registered and at which it is anticipated they will complete their graduation requirements.

Residency Guidelines

The Interscholastic Athletics Residency Guidelines assist with confirming the residency status of:

1. Student-athletes who transfer from one MCPS high school to another MCPS high school.
2. Student-athletes who transfer from a non-MCPS high school to an MCPS high school.
3. Student-athletes whose residency has been questioned.

The guidelines are included in the Athletic Directors Reference Guide.

Athletic Waiver Process

Years/Seasons of Eligibility

Refer to the MPSSAA Handbook Regulation .02D (Eligibility). MCPS students are expected to complete their graduation requirements in four years. MCPS students may not participate in athletics in their fifth year of high school unless extraordinary circumstances prevail that prevent the student from graduating in four years.

Fifth Year Guidelines

The following are eligibility guidelines for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students who are in their fifth year of high school.

Athletic participation in the fifth year of high school should only be considered for students:

• Whose ability to graduate in four years significantly was compromised by unique circumstances beyond their control;
• Who do not have the ability to graduate without returning to school for a fifth year;
• Who cannot graduate even if they take a class(es) in summer school; or
• Who need a minimum of three-classes to achieve the graduation requirements.

These eligibility guidelines were established in order to:

• Provide greater opportunity for student participation. Fifth-year seniors would replace students on teams or significantly reduce their playing time;
• Safeguard the academic integrity of the high school and the interscholastic athletic program;
• Prevent sending the wrong message to students about graduating in four years;
• Create a consistent standard for all high schools; and

Allow the maximum utilization of school resources for students in Grades 9–12, allowing students who otherwise could have graduated to return for an additional year results in increased costs for the school system.

The opportunity to achieve greater exposure and gain an athletic scholarship is one reason offered by parents as the rationale for allowing students an extra year of high school participation.

However, this rationale could be applied to all students, and whatever benefit is achieved by the fifth-year senior is ultimately at the expense of another student.

The school system expends considerable time, effort, and resources in providing appropriate educational and extracurricular opportunities for all students in Grades K–12. Stretching these resources to cover an additional year of high school represents a reduction of services and resources for other students. Only under extraordinary circumstances can this be justified.

Process

Requests for fifth year eligibility must be made to the principal, who will forward the request to the compliance coordinator in the MCPS Department of Athletics. A decision on the request will be made by a panel consisting of the director of systemwide athletics (or designee), compliance coordinator, the principal, and the athletic director. Appeals of the panel’s decision related to a student’s eligibility must be submitted in writing to the MCPS Division of Appeals.

Regulations

All Star Games

All-star games are not organized or administered by MCPS. Only seniors may participate, and only after the end of the season, per MPSSAA regulations.

Amateur Standing

Refer to MPSSAA Handbook Regulation .10 (Amateur Rules).

Name, Image, and  Likeness (NIL)

MCPS students may retain eligibility under MPSSAA regulations and engage in NIL activities for financial gain provided the student’s NIL activities and participation in interscholastic athletics remain separate. Student-athletes are prohibited from making any reference to a member school, local educational agency (MCPS), or the MPSSAA when engaging in any NIL activity. MCPS students must comply with MPSSAA guidance and regulations, which are available on the MPSSAA website. Coaches and athletic directors serve as additional resources for students and families.

Ejections From Contests

Student-athletes who are ejected, suspended, or otherwise permanently removed from a contest for unsafe or unacceptable behavior, including red cards, two yellow cards (or their equivalent) are not eligible to participate in the next contest.

Consistent with national and state rules, two yellow cards in girls’ lacrosse does not constitute suspension from the subsequent contest.

Impacted student-athletes shall not be on the sidelines during the existing contest or during the next contest. Coaches shall notify the athletic director in writing of the ejection/suspension and date(s) of exclusion. This rule applies to regular season as well as postseason contests. Refer to the MPSSAA Handbook for additional information regarding ejections during an MPSSAA postseason contest.

Drugs and Alcohol Regulation

Any MCPS student-athlete with verified use, distribution, or possession of alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, and/or controlled substances on school property or at a school-sanctioned event, is prohibited from participating in athletic activities for a minimum of 10 consecutive school days (including any intervening non-school days). The student-athlete will be eligible for athletic activities on the eleventh school day.

Individual schools may create a more stringent penalty than that stated above consistent with the philosophy of its administration and community.

Outside Participation

Refer to MPSSAA Handbook Regulation .02G(1) (Eligibility).

Participation on More Than one Team in a Season

Students shall not be permitted to participate in more than one interscholastic sport in one season. If a student leaves one team and has not participated in a contest, they may join a second team if the coaches of each team agree. The athletic director must be notified in writing.

Suspensions

Suspended or excluded students are ineligible for extracurricular activities until they are reinstated in classes. This includes in-school suspensions.

Students suspended on Friday may not participate until they are reinstated on the subsequent school day (Monday).

Personal Mobile Devices and Electronic Communications

Students’ use of personal mobile devices and electronic communications shall comply with MCPS Regulation COG-RA, Personal Mobile Devices.