Please review the following important reminders to help ensure that our student-athletes and teams remain in full compliance with all Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) and Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) athletic requirements.
Any individual who knowingly disregards or contributes to noncompliance with these requirements not only undermines the integrity of education-based athletics, but also places schools, students, and coaches at risk of disciplinary action and state violations.
Let us continue to set the standard for interscholastic, education-based athletic excellence by demonstrating an unwavering commitment to hard work and consistently upholding the highest standards of integrity.
Students shall be officially registered and attending the FCPS high school they are authorized to attend under FCPS Regulation 430-01: Enrollment Requirements. They may represent only the school in which they are lawfully enrolled in and at which it is anticipated they will complete their graduation requirements. The Find Your School/Feeder Area – Frederick County Public Schools page is a useful resource related to residency and feeder high school.
As outlined in FCPS Regulation 400-15: Out-of-District Enrollment, athletic-related requests are not considered. If fraud or misrepresentation is discovered, the student’s out-of-district enrollment may be immediately rescinded and athletic consequences may be imposed based on Maryland law and MPSSAA rules.
Students who are 19 years or older as of August 31 are ineligible to participate in interscholastic athletics for the school year ahead.
Students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 may participate in interscholastic athletic contests for a maximum of four (4) seasons in any one sport. As outlined in FCPS Regulation 500-10: Placement and Promotion of Students, participation in interscholastic athletics will not affect a student’s grade placement.
No coach or school personnel are to discuss or otherwise promote transfers or changes in residence or residence arrangements with any student, parent or other person of influence or knowingly permit such activity to take place for the purpose of facilitating athletic participation.
Student-athletes must maintain specific academic standards for athletic participation while demonstrating satisfactory progress towards graduation. As outlined in FCPS Regulation 500-24: Academic Standards for Participation in Extracurricular Activities In High School, to participate in extracurricular activities, a high school student must earn at least a 2.00 grade point average (GPA) and no “F” or “WF” grades in the term or semester as identified in the FCPS Academic Eligibility Chart found in FCPS Regulation 500-24.
The policy becomes effective for ninth grade students at the posting date of term 1 report card grades. Any student who has transferred schools or is new to FCPS should double-check their initial academic eligibility status with the Coordinator of Athletics and Facilities.
Parents and student-athletes are encouraged to review FCPS Regulation 500-24 and regularly monitor grades.
Any violation related to these requirements will involve the FCPS disciplinary process and reporting to the MPSSAA.
MPSSAA penalties may be imposed against the school, the coach and/or the student as identified in Maryland law under 13A.06.03.05 (.05 Violations, Penalties, and Appeals) of Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) and pages 25-27 of the MPSSAA Handbook.
The FCPS Guide for Student-Athletes and Parents is a quick reference for parents/guardians and can be found under “resources” on www.fcps.org/athletics and is included in the online athletic registration process.
