I. CIF Eligibility – All Nordhoff student-athletes must meet all minimum CIF eligibility criteria as stated by the CIF Blue Book.

Outside Competition – A student on a high school team becomes ineligible if the student competes in a contest on an “outside” (club) team, in the same sport, during the student’s high school season of sport. See Bluebook Bylaw 600 for potential exceptions.

II. All of the following Nordhoff Academic Eligibility Criteria Must Be Met:

1.   Minimum of a 2.0 GPA from the preceding quarter

a) GPA’s checked quarterly on designated “eligibility check” days

b) If a student athlete does not meet eligibility standards from a preceding quarter, they…

• shall not not participate in games until current quarter grades make them eligible, as determined at the future designated eligibility check dates
• may practice with team with coaches’ approval
• may apply for an Academic Probationary Waiver. (Click this link to access the paperwork)
  • a student athlete may not have two or more “F’s” in a grading period to be able to use the academic probation petition
  • a student athlete may use the academic waiver no more than two times during their entire high school experience
  • Students may qualify for a 2nd academic probation petition by earning a 2.0 gpa for at least two quarter grading periods after the 1st probationary period is approved.

2. A student-athlete must be enrolled in a full schedule of academic classes, which means no less than 20 units per semester of coursework for which they receive a grade at each official grading period and keep them on-track for graduation This can be a combination of classes during the 0-6 period day, as well as courses offered through Edgenuity each semester. Depending on the grade level of the student and other factors, the number of periods which constitutes a “full schedule” is determined by the Nordhoff administration.

3. Student-athletes must maintain at least 60 citizenship points in order to compete in any athletic contest. Citizenship points are updated regularly and can be checked on Canvas.

4.   Ineligible athletes who remain part of a team may not be excused early from school to attend an athletic contest.

5.  Student-athletes who quit a sport (quitting is different from being dropped) have not fulfilled their sport participation agreement and will receive an “F” grade and will not receive academic credit for that season. In addition, the student-athlete will not be allowed to participate in any other sport until the season of the sport the athlete has quit is completed.

NOTE: Nordhoff enforces these minimum eligibility standards for athletics participation. Coaches may set higher, additional standards for participation in contests as long as student-athletes have been given written notice and signed consent of these standards. 

III. All of the following Nordhoff Attendance Eligibility Criteria Must Be Met:

1. Competition – Student-athletes who are absent for any class period of the day of an athletic contest shall not be allowed to participate in that contest unless prior arrangements are made with the Athletic Administrator or Athletic Director (not the coach). Parents should strive to avoid scheduling doctor/dentist appointments during the school day. If it cannot be avoided, and the student will miss any period of the school day, parents must contact the Athletic Administrator or the Athletic Director with the student-athlete’s name, sport, date, time of appointment, and expected time of return to school. Please give at least 12 hours notice prior to the absence. The student/athlete must follow the proper check-in and checkout procedure.  They must also bring a signed note from the doctor’s office stating the time of the appointment and the time of departure. Parent excusal for personal reasons is not an acceptable excused absence. Other unavoidable circumstances may be considered (ie. funerals) provided it is supported by corresponding documents.

The Athletic Director will strive to notify the coaches and student-athletes regarding decisions for eligibility/ineligibility prior to the start of the contest. However, if it is not possible, the ineligible student-athlete may be removed from the contest at any point.

2. Practice – Student-athletes must be present for at least 2/3 of their school day in order to be eligible to practice. The portion of the day missed must be for a legally excusable absence.  For example, the student-athlete may not be truant for two classes, attend the rest of the day, and attend practice. If the student-athlete has a signed note from the doctor’s office stating the time of the appointment and the time of departure, they must return to school in a timely manner and submit the note to the attendance office. The student/athlete must follow the proper check-in and checkout procedure.  The Athletic Administrator, Athletic Director or Athletic Secretary will notify the coach if a student-athlete is ineligible for practice.
3. Student-athletes are expected to attend every practice and contest of their athletic season, particularly if PE credit and grades are issued, unless prior authorization is granted by the Athletic Administrator.  Failure to communicate with coaches/Athletic Director/Athletic Administrator about absences from practices/contests during the season of sport may result in a lower or a failing grade, or removal from the team with no PE credit. If the student-athlete quits before the season ends, they will not receive PE credit and will earn an F. (See previous page policy).

NOTE:  Four semesters (20 credits) of PE and passing four of six components on the California State Physical Fitness Test are required for graduation by the State of California. Successful completion of a single athletics season with a passing grade is the equivalent of one semester of PE (5 credits). Variable credits for an incomplete season are typically not given, but may be at the discretion of the Athletic Director/Athletic Administrator.