Lake Washington School District is aware of the important role that interscholastic athletics play in the development of students; we are committed to the philosophy that the primary purpose of our secondary schools should be to academically prepare students for graduation in order that they become productive citizens. Scholastic incentives should be established and enforced for the educational and personal welfare of students who participate.

As members of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association we are required to follow all minimum standards set forth. The WIAA does give districts latitude to increase the requirements. The following LWSD Athletic Academic Eligibility Requirements are intended to replace the minimum requirements set forth in section 18.6.0 only of the WIAA Official Handbook. All other sections of the WIAA Handbook will continue to apply.

LWSD Athletic Academic Eligibility Requirements
In order to maintain athletic eligibility the student shall maintain passing grades in all subjects taken and, at minimum, a current 2.0 GPA. There are students who occasionally are on different schedules, therefore the following guidelines should be used. A student shall be passing:

• 4 classes in a 4 period schedule
• 5 classes in a 5 period schedule
• 6 classes in a 6 period schedule

Note: A Running Start course will count as a regular class.

Incomplete (I) grades are considered non-numerical grades. Students have 2 weeks to complete required work; if not, an F is issued and the student-athlete becomes ineligible.

Schools will monitor a student’s continued academic eligibility with periodic grade checks. Students deemed to be ineligible will be allowed to practice but not to participate in contests until eligibility status is restored.

For more information, see the complete LWSD Academic Eligibility Criteria.

Other Requirements
ASB Card
All athletes must purchase an ASB card from their school prior to the specific sport season.

Insurance
Students must have purchased school district supplied insurance or have on file the appropriate form indicating insurance coverage with the school’s athletic secretary. No student may participate without insurance coverage.

Physical Examination
Prior to the first practice for participation in interscholastic athletics a student shall undergo a thorough medical examination and be approved for interscholastic athletic competition by a medical authority licensed to perform a physical examination.

The physical examination shall be valid for twenty-four (24) consecutive months to the date unless otherwise limited by local school district policy or when the physician indicates the physical is only good for less than twenty-four (24) consecutive months.

For each subsequent twenty-four month period the student shall furnish a statement or physical examination form signed by a medical authority licensed to perform a physical examination that provides clearance for continued athletic participation

For more information see the WIAA website.

Participation Information

Ninth Grade Participation in Senior High Athletics
Ninth grade students who wish to participate in cross country, boys and girls golf, gymnastics, boys and girls soccer and boys and girls swimming programs not offered in junior high may do so following these procedures:

• The student and his or her parents must request eligibility forms from either the high school or junior high.
• The student athlete may participate only at the senior high that serves their current residence.
• Upon approval of eligibility by the junior high principal, the eligibility paperwork will be forwarded to the senior high athletic director.
• When approved at the senior high, the appropriate head coach will be notified that the student is eligible for that sport. Eligibility documentation will be forwarded to the high school athletic director and filed with all eligibility documents.
• Generally no transportation will be provided by the Lake Washington School District to transport junior high students to senior high school for participation in athletics.
• If a sport should overlap into another season at the junior high, the student may not enter in the middle of a season already in progress.

Football Criteria for Seventh Grade Students
Seventh grade students do not participate in junior high football because of physical safety factors.

• Athletes weighing 135 lbs. or more are eligible to play.
• Exceptions to this policy must be made by the building principal.

Choice School Students
Students who attend one of LWSD's Choice Schools may participate at their resident junior high or high school.