Interscholastic competition for secondary school students shall be provided through a variety of activities and athletics. Students are allowed to attain the privilege of representing their school by meeting the standards of eligibility as set forth by the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA). These standards may include academic requirements, citizenship, age maximums, passing medical examinations, and other items that are posted in the school and discussed by the coaches and sponsors with their students as well as mailed home to the parents/guardians of all student participants.

Interscholastic competition may be withheld from any student as a condition of discipline. Furthermore, all policies that apply to the regular school day apply also to interscholastic competition. Coaches and sponsors may establish policies for their groups in addition to those stated herein.

A student must be in attendance for the full day on days of extracurricular participation. Failure to do so will eliminate the student from practice or participation that day. Exceptions may be granted in special cases.

The following criteria will be followed:

1. Students will meet the eligibility requirements set out byMSHSAA.
2. Anystudentfailingaclassmayberequiredtoattendstudysessionsafterschool.
3. Anystudentreceivinganincompletegradebecauseoffailuretopromptlycompletework
4. will be placed on the ineligibility list. Incomplete grades resulting from illness or other specialcircumstances during the last week or two of a grade period may be exempted.
5. Students displaying unacceptable citizenship behaviors may be suspended from participation.
6. Each coach and sponsor will establish written guidelines for their groups. Theseguidelines shall be presented orally and in written format. A copy of such guidelines will be on file with the principal.

The interscholastic competition program is an integral part of the secondary schools and shall supplement the curriculum program by providing worthwhile experiences to students that will enable them to develop the attributes of good citizenship. These programs will be administered by the principal/designee.

Participation in interscholastic competition is for students in grades nine through twelve (9-12) as determined by the local area athletic conference and the MSHSAA.

Programs of interscholastic competition will be planned in accordance with MSHSAA regulations and conference rules, and will include programs reflective of student interest. All student members should participate insofar as feasible. Access shall be provided contingent on budgetary limitations and in accordance with District guidelines for the following:

1. Schoolfacilities.
2. Sponsors andcoaches.
3. Scheduling of meetings, practice times, andgames.
4. Number of events at each level ofcompetition.
5. Equipment, supplies, andservices.

All faculty sponsors and coaches must hold a valid Missouri State Teacher’s Certificate. Non- faculty head coaches must have as a minimum a four-year college degree and a valid Missouri Substitute Teaching Certificate. Non-faculty assistant coaches must have as a minimum a valid Missouri Substitute Teaching Certificate. Non-faculty head and assistant coaches must successfully complete the MSHSAA/NFHS coaching Principles and Sports First Aid courses. Sponsors and coaches are required to follow all District regulations.

A student engaged in interscholastic competition must portray good citizenship in the school and community. He/she shall be required to be in conformance with all general school rules and regulations, rules established by the sponsors and coaching staff for the program in which he/she is participating, and conformance with the laws of the community.

The District’s high school is a member of the MSHSAA. In all interscholastic competition matters, this school will adhere firmly to the rules and regulations of MSHSAA.

Regulations Governing Student Participation:

A student must be under nineteen (19) years of age on or before July l preceding the opening of school, pass a medical examination, and have parent/guardian permission. Ninth grade students  must not be older than sixteen (16) years of age prior to July 1.

A student shall not be considered eligible while under out-of-school suspension. A student expelled or who withdraws from school because of disciplinary measures shall not be considered eligible for 365 days from the date of expulsion or withdrawal.

A student who is absent from school on the day of an interscholastic contest, or on a Friday before an interscholastic contest on a Saturday, will not be permitted to participate in said contest without a written release from the school Principal.

Credit earned or completed after the close of the semester shall not count as having been earned that semester, except in case of a delayed final examination because of illness certified by a physician. Credit earned in summer school may count for or against the student's record for eligibility purposes if the classes are required for graduation from the local school. Students may count up to one (1) unit of credit from summer school toward establishing their eligibility for the fall semester. Summer school electives will not count toward eligibility.

A student shall not accept a cash or merchandise award in any competition in which MSHSAA member schools compete interscholastically. Awards for participation in nonschool competitions during the summer shall meet the same standards as awards given by schools during the school year.

The student must meet all other eligibility requirements of MSHSAA and the local area high school athletic conference.

Competition by students in organized nonschool sponsored competition must meet the following conditions:

1. During the season, a student who represents his/her school by competing in an interscholastic contest shall not compete as a member of a nonschool team or as an individual participant in an organized nonschool competition in that same contest.
2. A student may compete in organized nonschool competition in other events in which MSHSAA member schools compete interscholastically if no school time is missed to compete, practice for, or travel to the site of nonschool competition; and if thestudent does not practice for nor compete in the nonschool competition on the same date he/shepractices or competes for the school.

District participation in interscholastic competition will be subject to approval by the Board.

Budgeting for interscholastic competition program will include gate receipts and be incorporated into the general District budget. No expenditures for interscholastic competitions may be made in excess of those listed in the budget without approval by the Superintendent.

The MSHSAA handbook will be considered a part of this regulation.