WALDORF, Md. — Every afternoon before football practice, a St. Charles High School student checks his phone, hoping to see a text from his father — a message that says he’s finally been cleared to play.
So far, the message hasn’t come.
For more than a month, the student has attended every practice but has not been allowed to participate, as his family continues to challenge an eligibility ruling by Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) that they believe was mishandled from the start. The issue began when the student transferred this summer from a private school in Prince George’s County to St. Charles High School.
According to the family, they were told the student would need a waiver to be eligible because one of his courses — a Bible and theology class — met the percentage range for a “D” under the CCPS grading scale. St. Charles staff reportedly forwarded the case to the county athletic office for review, but officials ultimately ruled him academically ineligible. The family claims the Bible course was treated as a failing grade, even though the percentage would be considered passing under CCPS policy.
The family argues that the county used the private school’s grading scale rather than CCPS’s own standard, where a 60 to 69 percent is defined as a passing “D” under Superintendent’s Rule 5132.3. The previous school’s grading policy treated anything below 65 percent as failing. That small difference — just a few percentage points — has now cost the student more than half of his junior season, the family said.
“The transcript doesn’t even list letter grades, only percentages,” the parent said. “For CCPS to impose another school’s scale when their own policy says 60 and above is passing just doesn’t seem right.”
Emails Indicate County Directed Transcript Change
Emails shared with The BayNet by the family appear to show that after questions were raised, a school counselor informed them that the county had directed the guidance office at St. Charles High School to adjust the student’s transcript using the previous school’s grading system, not CCPS’s. One email noted that the transcript was updated “based on the previous school’s grading scale, not Charles County’s.”
According to the family, the revised CCPS transcript reflected the Bible course (62 percent) as an “F,” and Spanish (93 percent) as a “B” — although those percentages would equal a “D” and an “A” under CCPS’s published scale.
Family Cites Conflict Between Policy And Practice
Superintendent’s Rule 5132.3, adopted in January 2024, defines the district’s grading scale as:
A = 90–100 | B = 80–89 | C = 70–79 | D = 60–69 | F = 0–59
The rule requires all middle and high schools to use this scale for grading and computing averages. The family points out that it does not mention adopting another school’s grading system when transferring coursework from outside the district.
“They keep saying there’s no policy, but there is one — and it’s clear,” the parent said. “It shows exactly how to convert grades, but they’re not following it.”
Threat of Reclassification Adds Pressure
According to the family, the situation became more stressful when they were informed that the student might be moved back to 10th grade.
They said a school counselor told them district administrators were considering the change even though the student’s transcript reflected enough credits for 11th grade, and he had already been enrolled in junior-level classes for over a month while maintaining a qualifying GPA.
The parent said the original transcript listed the Bible course as an “F,” but that was rejected by the district on the grounds that it didn’t show final grades. In response, the parent obtained new sealed transcripts directly from the previous school and hand-delivered them to CCPS.
“They said he could be dropped back to 10th grade after being in school for over 30 days,” the parent said. “That would erase his progress and force him to repeat classes he’s already completed.”
Appeal Raises Questions Of Fairness
The student’s eligibility was initially reviewed by CCPS Director of Student Activities, Athletics and Aquatics Richard Pauole, who issued the denial. The family appealed that decision to Richard Conley, CCPS Executive Director of Schools, who upheld the ruling.
In his written response to the family, Conley cited Board Policy 6431, which requires high school athletes to maintain at least a 2.0 GPA with no final failing grades. He wrote that CCPS is “required to transcribe any coursework included on a student’s permanent record when the student transfers from another school,” using “the grading scale in place at the institution where the course was taken.”
The family received notification that their final appeal was scheduled to be reviewed during the Oct. 14 Board of Education meeting.
District Responds On Transfer Credit Policy
In response to The BayNet’s earlier inquiry, a CCPS spokesperson said that due to privacy laws, the district cannot comment on individual student cases. However, the spokesperson provided a general statement on transfer credit practices:
“CCPS transcribes the final letter grade and awarded course credit for all courses noted on an official transcript received from an accredited school or program,” the spokesperson wrote. “This transcription is done using the grading scale in place at the institution where the course or courses were taken.”
The spokesperson added that while this is the standard method, no current board policy or superintendent’s rule explicitly outlines it.
The parent said that explanation contradicts the district’s published grading rule and believes the situation has taken a visible emotional toll on his son.
“Every day at 2:30, my son calls and asks, ‘Did you hear anything before I go watch practice?’” the father said.
“His faith is getting weaker by the day,” he added. “To watch him lose hope when he’s done everything right — it’s devastating.”
Next Steps
The student has now missed five varsity games and may also miss homecoming. The family said they have not received confirmation that the superintendent has reviewed their most recent appeal letter.
“By the time they look at this, there may only be three games left,” the parent said. “We may need to get a lawyer at this point. It may not help him, but this isn’t right — what they’re doing and allowing to happen.”
The case is scheduled for review during the Oct. 14 Charles County Board of Education closed session meeting.
The BayNet will update this story following the board’s discussion.
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The parents withdrew their child because he was ineligible to play at the private school. It turns out the grading scale used is based on where the grades were originally earned. It’s not rocket science.
Wammmmmmmmm
In 2012 my 17yo son transferred from California (the state) to Thomas Stone in Waldorf. CCPS demoted him to 10th grade stating his credits did not transfer according to CC standards even though his grades were very good. Even the superintendent at the time told me to my face that Chris should just stay in California. This wasn’t an option. Once enrolled my son tried out for Jr Varsity soccer and made the team despite turning 18 on October 31st. Because he was in 10th grade he was not eligible for Varsity soccer. At a game in Lexington Park the other team challenged him being in the field because he was 18. He loved soccer and this broke his heart. Shortly afterward he signed himself out of school permanently and scheduled the GED test. That day the test administrator came over to show me his scores. She said she’d never seen scores that high. I still keep a screen shot as a reminder of CCPS incompetence.
I pray in Jesus name that then all works out for this student athlete and his parents!
Your doing the right thing Mom & Dad!..keep fighting for your baby bc this don’t even sound right! Sounds like a case of black & white on paper, and yet their is A LOT OF GRAY in between! Good Luck Young Man!
Why did they remove their child from the private school? Is it because he played football but was removed due to grades? Before removing their child did they check with St Charles or CCBOE to make sure he would be eligible to play in Charles County? I expect CCBOE to be fair but to also enforce the rules. I’m hoping this will motivate the child to improve their grades if they want to continue to play football.
Is this what happens when one reads the Bible or doesn’t read the Bible? The Bible decides who plays football! It’s all so very Christian. Not a savior in the bunch!