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Academic Eligibility

Southwestern Central School District has an eligibility program for all extracurricular activities. As per board policy, students in grades 9-11 involved in extracurricular activities must be enrolled in at least six (6) full credit bearing subjects in addition to Physical Education. Students in grade 12 must be enrolled in four (4) credit bearing classes. Southwestern Central students who participate in extracurricular activities are expected to conform to the academic standards which meet or exceed the requirements of the district and the NYS Board of Regents.

Southwestern Central adheres to an academic eligibility policy that all students must follow if they wish to participate in any school-sponsored extracurricular activities, including athletics.  Students in grades 7-12 will be required to maintain at least a 65% average in each of their classes. Every two weeks students who have below 65% in one or more of their courses will be placed on academic probation for a two (2) week period of time.  During this two-week period of time, it is expected that student/athletes will stay after school for academic assistance in his/her failing course(s) on Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s and Thursday’s until 3:30 pm so as to improve their course grade(s).  Student/athletes will still be allowed to participate in athletic and/or extra-curricular activities during this probationary period as long as they are working diligently at improving their course grade(s). Student/athletes will remain on the probationary list until the next report is generated which is two weeks after the initial report is generated.  If a student/athlete is not working towards improving his/her grade(s), a possible suspension from that athletic team and/or extracurricular activity may result.

See example below:

John Smith has below 65% in 1 or more courses and is placed on academic probation for 2 weeks. John may fully participate in any/all extra-curricular activities while on the probation list. It is expected John stays after school with a teacher each Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday until 3:30 during the 2-week probation period to increase his grade(s) above 65%. At the end of the 2-week probation period grades are reviewed and if John’s grades are above 65%, he is removed from the probation list. If John’s grades are NOT above 65% the after-school attendance list will be reviewed. If John has been staying after-school each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with a teacher John will remain on the probation list for 2 more weeks. If John has NOT been staying after school with a teacher, he will be placed on academic suspension. While on academic suspension John may NOT attend any practices or contests. John can/will be removed from the academic suspension list once his grades are above 65% (grades will be reviewed daily for students participating in athletics).

Frequently Asked Questions:

How often are grades reviewed?

  • Every 2 weeks (time may vary based on vacation/holiday dates, ending of quarter/semester, start of seasons, etc.).

How long is the academic probation period?

  • 2 weeks. Students should stay after school with a teacher each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday until 3:30 while on probation.

How do I get removed from the academic probation list?

  • After the 2-week probation period, if a student’s grades are above 65%, they are removed from the academic probation list.

How do I get placed on academic suspension?

  • Students are placed on the academic suspension list after they have been on academic probation for 2 weeks, are still failing 1 or more courses, and have not stayed after school each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with a teacher until 3:30.

Can I still practice and attend contests while on academic suspension?

  • Students on the academic suspension list cannot attend any practices and contests until removed from the academic suspension list.

How do I get removed from the academic suspension list?

  • Grades are reviewed each day for students on the academic suspension list. Once grades are above passing (65%) students will be removed from the academic suspension list.
  • Students also can stay after school each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday until 3:30 with a teacher for a 2-week period to be removed from the academic suspension list. STUDENTS WILL REMAIN ON ACADEMIC SUSPENSION DURING THE ENTIRE 2 WEEK PERIOD IF THEIR GRADES REMAIN BELOW 65%.

When on the academic probation list, how do I avoid being placed on academic suspension?

  • Work to increase all grades above passing (65%).
  • Stay after school with a teacher each Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday until 3:30.

Do I need to stay with the teacher in the course(s) I am not passing?

  • It is recommended students stay with the teachers in the course(s) they are not passing, however if the teacher is not available on an after-school date students can stay with a different teacher to fulfill the after-school requirement.

Any other questions? Please contact Mr. Salisbury via email at ksalisbury@swcsk12.org