Athletics & Extra-Curricular Opportunities

In Grand Rapids Public Schools, we provide a variety of extra-curricular activities at each level (elementary, middle school and high school) that are accompanied by a defined understanding of expectations for participation. Scholars who wish to participate or who are participating in extra-curricular activities must understand that they must maintain, at all times, the condition of being in “good standings” (no violations of the GRPS Scholar Handbook, school rules and/or athletic program rules) to continue participating in extracurricular uninterrupted. Scholars found not to be in “good standings” or violating the previously mentioned categories are subjected to consequences and discipline that may include suspension from the activity (temporary or permanent) and/or complete removal from that activity. This standard applies for each division (elementary, middle school and high school).

Athletics

Athletics is an integral part of the educational process in the Grand Rapids Public Schools.

• High School (9-12): Baseball, Basketball (boys/girls), Bowling (boys/ girls), Competitive Cheer, Cross Country (boys/girls), Football, Golf (boys/ girls), Hockey (boys/girls), Sideline Cheer, Soccer (boys/girls), Softball, Swimming (boys/girls), Tennis (boys/girls) Track (boys/girls), Volleyball and Wrestling.
• Middle School (6-8): Baseball, Basketball (boys/girls), Bowling (Coed), Competitive Cheer, Cross Country (Coed), Football, Soccer (boys/girls), Softball, Swimming (Coed), Track (Coed), Volleyball and Wrestling.
• Elementary (K-5): Basketball (Coed), Cross Country (Coed), Jump Jam (Coed), Soccer (Coed), Swim Lessons (Coed), Track (Coed)

Other Important Components of Athletics for Scholars K-12

• Classroom Performance: Scholars are expected to meet or exceed satisfactory academic performance in the classroom throughout the school year
• Attendance Performance: Scholars are expected to maintain or exceed satisfactory attendance rates set by the school district, school building or classroom teacher
• Behavioral Performance: Scholars are expected to refrain from any conduct that would be in violation of this handbook in part or whole in addition to school, classroom and/or athletic program rules
• Afterschool Academics: Scholars are expected to participated, where required, in afterschool academic support provided by the school, athletic department and/or coaching staff
• Community Service: Scholars are expected to fully engaged in the community service activities that may be required by the school, athletic department or athletic team
• Off Season: Scholars are strongly recommended to participate in offseason athletic activities that include, continued academic support, physical conditioning, additional GRPS school sports teams, camps, clinics, workshops and the like for continued scholar-athlete development and preparation
• Summer School: Scholars who participate in athletics are expected to maintain “satisfactory” academic progress during the school year and should participate in summer school programming due to an unforeseen or unavoidable situation that impacted the attainment of a passing grade in a class, and it should not be used as a primary method to recovery credit or academic standing due to lack of effort during the regular school year
• MHSAA Transfer Rule: Scholars must understand that transferring or changing schools for athletic purposes is a violation of the Michigan High School Athletic Association rules with harsh penalties from 90 to up to 180 days (one school year) of no interscholastic athletic participation that applies to high schools and we encourage the same and/or a similar standard for our middle schools and elementary schools
• Undue Influence: Undue Influence is the “illegal” practice (a MHSAA violation) of convincing, persuading, encouraging, pressuring or the like of staff, coaches, parents, friends, boosters or the like from other schools in an attempt to get GRPS scholars to change schools for athletic purposes. This is often done through social contact with GRPS scholar athletes and MUST be reported immediately when it occurs (please see any athletic director for more details)
• NCAA Eligibility Center: Any scholar who has the desire and ability to play college sports should be aware of NCAA standards set forth for high school athletics regarding academic courses that the scholar must successfully complete with the highest grade possible for academic core courses (English, math, science and social studies) along with appropriate standardize test scores in accordance with the admission requirements of the college or university selected. Scholar must also be aware that online courses (such as E 20/20 and others) are not accepted by the NCAA for admission to college athletic programs (please work closely with your school counselor on these specific requirements beginning in 8th grade prior to high school)
• Uniform Discipline Code: This handbook contains all of the basic scholar expectations for all K-12 Grand Rapids Public Schools scholars that includes all extra-curricular activities. Any scholar found to be in violation of this handbook, in part or whole, will be subjected to discipline under the Uniform Discipline Code and additional consequences may apply as is relates to athletic participation 

Additional Extra-Curricular Activities

An extra-curricular activity is defined as a school-sponsored activity that extends beyond the instructional day (i.e. after school). Extra-curricular activities add to a scholar’s school experience and expands scholar learning.

• Extra-curricular activities offerings: Band, Class Governing Boards, Debate Drama (Musicals and Plays), Forensics, Governing Boards, Honor Society, Mayor’s Youth Council, Newspaper, Production (Dance & Pep Troupes), ROTC (Color Guard, Drill Teams, Rangers, & Rifle Team) School-Sponsored Events, Scholar Council, Talent Shows, and Yearbook. 

Also see Off-Campus Events and Athletics (interscholastic) sports offerings.

Non-Traditional School Involvement

Scholars who attend CA Frost Environmental Science HS, City HS, Innovation Central HS, GR Montessori HS, Public Museum School, GR University Preparatory Academy HS and Southwest Community Campus HS are eligible to participate in athletics or extra-curricular activities at their attendance area high school (Ottawa Hills or Union) where standard eligibility requirements apply. Scholars who attend Alternative Educational programing are not eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics at their attendance area high school, but may participate in intramural athletic activities. Specific eligibility requirements apply (see the High School Athletic Director for more eligibility requirement information). Scholars who attend Credit Recovery Programs within the traditional high schools may be eligible to participate in some/limited extracurricular activities. Attendance and participation in extra-curricular activities for those scholars is determined by administration.

Participation Eligibility

• MHSAA: Scholars must have received credit for at least the equivalent of 66 percent of full class load potential for a full time scholar in the previous semester/trimester of enrollment, and must be currently passing the same on the transcript of the school they represent in competition (example: 4 out of 5, 4 out of 6, 6 out of 8).
• GRPS Participation Eligibility: A commitment to academics and athletics is important and is demonstrated by scholar’s requirement to maintain a minimum 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) that was adopted by the Board of Education in 1985. Scholars who wish to participate in athletics or any extra-curricular activity must attain a 2.0 GPA for the marking period prior to the sports season or activity. If a scholar does not meet this requirement, but their GPA is at least a 1.5, the scholar is granted a four (4) week probationary grace period to become eligible. During this grace period, the scholar’s Parent/Guardian is notified and the scholar must also maintain a school attendance record of eighty-five percent (85%) or better, demonstrate positive study habits, participate in afterschool tutoring and academic support programs, and not have any negative behavior referrals. If these requirements are met, the scholar is allowed to participate in the sport or activity.

GRPS Practice Eligibility

Practice eligibility is equal and identical to participation eligibility (see above paragraph). In order for a scholar to officially participate in after school practices, the practice eligibility standard applies.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Grade Point Averages (GPA’s) are computed using all classes in which a scholar is enrolled as follows:

1. Summer school credits shall be averaged with the last semester grades of the previous year to determine eligibility
2. Early college grades are computed on the 5.0 grade scale and shall also be computed as part of the GPA.
3. Physical Education shall be counted only once
4. A withdrawn class (WE) or dropped class (DROP E) shall be given to a scholar who withdraws from, or drops a class after one (1) semester (please see your academic counselor)
5. The failing grade (E) received from a dropped class shall be averaged for eligibility purposes
6. An incomplete grade (I) shall be considered a failing grade (E) until the required coursework is completed. The GPA shall then be recomputed 

A more detailed explanation of these policies as they apply to scholar-athletes is available from the Athletic Department. 

A complete list of the interscholastic sports as well as the extra-curricular activities available to GRPS scholars can be found under Athletics and Extra-Curricular Opportunities in this section.