3000 Series - Educational Programs » 3620 Extracurricular Activities and Student Organizations

3620 Extracurricular Activities and Student Organizations

  1. Requirements for Participation in Extracurricular Activities
Participation in extracurricular activities, including student organizations and interscholastic athletics, is a privilege, not a right, and may be reserved for students in good academic standing who meet behavior standards established by the board, the superintendent, or the school.  Participation in extracurricular activities may be restricted if a student (1) is not performing at grade level as provided in policy 3400, Evaluation of Student Progress; (2) has failed to meet any applicable attendance requirements; (3) has violated the student conduct standards found in the 4300 series of policies; or (4) has violated school rules for conduct.  School administrators choosing to exercise this authority to restrict participation shall provide this policy and any additional rules, including attendance requirements, developed by the superintendent or the principal to all parents, guardians, and students.
  1. Additional Rules for Specific Activities
  1. Interscholastic Athletics
    1. General Rules
In addition to meeting the general requirements listed above, to be eligible for interscholastic athletics participation, students must meet all applicable eligibility standards of law and the State Board of Education, as well as any locally established requirements for interscholastic athletics participation.
    1. Participation by Sixth Graders
Students in the sixth grade are eligible to participate in all interscholastic athletics except tackle football.
    1. Students Who Transfer Schools Within the School System
A high school student who is reassigned to a school of choice and whose domicile is not in the attendance area of the school of choice shall be ineligible to participate in any athletic program for a period of 365 days. Exceptions for immediate athletic eligibility will be heard in accordance with policy 4150, Student Assignment.
    1. Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Agreements
A student participating in interscholastic athletics may enter an agreement to use the student’s name, image, or likeness, subject to the requirements of 16 N.C.A.C. 6E.0211 
    1. Home School Students
A home school student is eligible to be dually enrolled and to participate in athletics at the high school level in the Wilkes County Schools only if the student’s domicile is located within the administrative boundaries of the Wilkes County Schools. Home school students can be dually enrolled and participate in athletics only within the LEA of their domicile. Home school students must become dually enrolled in the Wilkes County Schools in accordance with the enrollment and assignment procedures and policies established by the Wilkes County Board of Education. In addition, homeschool students must comply with policy 3625, Dual Enrollment for Athletic Participation.
  1. Special Circumstances
  1. Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities must be accorded the legal rights required by federal and state law.
    1. Children of Military Families
School administrators shall facilitate the inclusion and participation in extracurricular activities of children of military families transferring into the school, to the extent they are otherwise qualified, by:
    1. providing information about extracurricular activities to incoming children of military families; and
    2. waiving application deadlines.
  1. Appeals Process
The grievance procedure provided in policy 1740/4010, Student and Parent Grievance Procedure, may be utilized by parents or students who believe that a student has been aggrieved by a decision made pursuant to this policy.
 

Legal References: Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. 12132, 28 C.F.R. pt. 35; Equal Access Act, 20 U.S.C. 4071-4074; Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq., 34 C.F.R. pt. 300; Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 705(20), 794, 34 C.F.R. pt. 104; G.S. 12-3.3; 115C art. 9, 115C-12(23), -47(4), -76.110, -390.2, -407.5, -407.55, -407.59, -407.60, -407.65, -407.70, -407.75; 16 N.C.A.C. 6E .0207, .0208, .0211; State Board of Education Policy ATHL-001; Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilities, State Board of Education Policy EXCP-000; N.C. High School Athletic Association Handbook; Middle/Junior High School Athletic Manual (NCDPI)

Cross References:

Adopted: June 21, 2004

Revised: October 6, 2025