The Board of Education of Charles County last month approved a policy change that affects student extracurricular activity eligibility requirements, which includes athletic programs, starting with the 2015-16 school year. Eligibility requirements for next school year will shift from a semester basis, which includes the first two quarters as one semester and the last two quarters as the second semester, to a quarterly basis. Student grades are calculated and reported as four quarters throughout the school year. The change provides students with additional participation possibilities and opportunities to raise the level of their academic performance.

Earlier this school year, the Board approved increasing the minimum grade-point average (GPA) from 2.0 to 2.25 for students next year. Additionally, starting with the 2015-16 school year, eligibility for the fall sports season and extracurricular activities will be based on a student’s fourth quarter GPA at the end of the prior year. Students’ grades at the end of this school year will determine their eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities and sports this fall.

Additional updated requirements starting with the 2015-16 school year include:

  • Eligibility for winter extracurricular activities will be based on a student’s first quarter GPA.
  • Eligibility for spring extracurricular activities will be based on a student’s second quarter GPA.
  • If a student receives a failing grade in any quarter, they are ineligible for the remainder of the season, for post-season participation and for the following quarter.
  • Students will not be able to regain eligibility at interim report time or at any other time during the quarter, season or activity time frame.
  • Students who are academically ineligible at the end of the fourth quarter cannot regain eligibility until after the first quarter of the following school year.

The following is a breakdown of requirements for students in grades 6-12, starting next school year.

Sixth-grade students:

  • Students who are promoted from the fifth grade automatically meet the GPA and attendance requirement for the first quarter.
  • Starting with the second quarter, students must have earned a 2.25 GPA during the first quarter, and have no failing (F) grades.
  • Students must also not have missed more than 4.5 days of school the previous quarter.

Seventh- and eighth-grade students:

  • Students must meet promotion standards.
  • Students must have earned a 2.25 GPA during the previous quarter and have no failing (F) grades.
  • Students must also not have missed more than 4.5 days of school the previous quarter.

Ninth through twelfth grade students:

  • Students must meet promotion standards.
  • Students must have earned a 2.25 GPA during the previous quarter with no failing (F) grades.
  • Students must also not have missed more than 4.5 days of school the previous quarter.