What does all-league mean in high school sports. How are all-league selections made. Why is being named all-league important for high school athletes. What benefits come with an all-league designation.
Defining All-League Status in High School Athletics
All-league recognition in high school sports is a prestigious honor awarded to top-performing athletes within a specific league or conference. This designation signifies that a player has demonstrated exceptional skill, leadership, and performance throughout the season, earning them a place among the best players in their league.
To understand the significance of all-league status, it’s important to consider the following key points:
- All-league selections are typically made at the end of each sports season
- The honor is usually voted on by coaches within the league
- Athletes may be named to first team, second team, or receive honorable mention
- Selection criteria often include statistical performance, impact on team success, and sportsmanship
The Selection Process for All-League Honors
The process of selecting all-league athletes varies somewhat between different leagues and sports, but generally follows a similar pattern. Here’s an overview of how the selection process typically works:
- Coaches nominate standout players from their own teams
- League officials compile nominations and distribute them to all coaches
- Coaches vote on the nominees, often being prohibited from voting for their own players
- Votes are tallied to determine first team, second team, and honorable mention recipients
- Results are reviewed and finalized by league administrators
Is there a set number of players selected for all-league teams? The number of athletes chosen can vary by sport and league size, but most conferences aim to recognize a balanced representation of top performers across all member schools.
Importance of All-League Recognition for Student-Athletes
Earning all-league status is more than just a pat on the back for high school athletes. This recognition can have significant implications for their athletic careers and future opportunities. Here are some reasons why all-league honors are so coveted:
- Validation of hard work and skill development
- Increased visibility to college recruiters and scouts
- Potential for additional awards and scholarships
- Boost in confidence and motivation for future seasons
- Lasting legacy within the school’s athletic program
Can all-league recognition impact college admissions? While not a guarantee, having all-league honors on an application can certainly strengthen a student-athlete’s profile, especially when applying to schools with strong athletic programs in their sport.
Comparing All-League to Other Athletic Honors
All-league status is just one of many accolades high school athletes can earn. To put this honor in perspective, it’s helpful to understand how it relates to other common athletic awards:
All-League vs. All-State
All-state recognition typically encompasses a broader pool of athletes from across an entire state, making it generally more prestigious than all-league honors. However, being named all-league is often a stepping stone to all-state consideration.
All-League vs. Team MVP
While team MVP awards focus on a player’s value to their specific team, all-league status compares an athlete’s performance to others across multiple schools, providing a wider context for their achievements.
All-League vs. National Rankings
National rankings or all-American teams are the pinnacle of high school athletic recognition, covering the entire country. All-league honors, while more localized, still carry significant weight and can contribute to an athlete’s national profile.
The Impact of All-League Selections on Team Dynamics
When players are named to all-league teams, it doesn’t just affect the individual athletes. These selections can have ripple effects throughout a team and even the entire school community. Consider the following impacts:
- Motivation for teammates to improve their own performance
- Increased team morale and pride in collective achievements
- Potential for friendly competition among teammates vying for recognition
- Enhanced reputation for the school’s athletic program
How do coaches balance individual accolades with team success? Skilled coaches often use all-league selections as a tool to inspire their entire team, emphasizing that individual honors are a reflection of collective effort and teamwork.
Leveraging All-League Status for College Recruitment
For many high school athletes, the ultimate goal is to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. All-league recognition can be a valuable asset in this pursuit. Here’s how athletes can use this honor to boost their recruitment prospects:
- Include all-league status prominently in athletic resumes and profiles
- Mention the honor in communication with college coaches and recruiters
- Use the recognition as a talking point during campus visits and interviews
- Leverage the status to gain entry into showcase events and elite camps
Does all-league status guarantee college recruitment? While it’s a significant achievement, all-league honors alone do not guarantee recruitment. College coaches consider many factors, including academic performance, physical attributes, and potential for development at the next level.
Critiques and Controversies Surrounding All-League Selections
Despite the prestige associated with all-league honors, the selection process is not without its critics. Some common concerns and controversies include:
- Potential bias in voting, especially in leagues with dominant schools
- Difficulty in comparing athletes across different positions or roles
- Overemphasis on statistical performance at the expense of intangible contributions
- Pressure on athletes to prioritize individual achievements over team success
How do leagues address these concerns? Many conferences have implemented measures to improve the fairness and transparency of the selection process, such as using standardized nomination forms, incorporating input from officials or media members, and regularly reviewing and adjusting selection criteria.
Beyond High School: The Long-Term Value of All-League Honors
While all-league recognition is primarily associated with high school athletics, its impact can extend far beyond graduation day. Consider these long-term benefits of earning all-league status:
- Enhanced college and career opportunities
- Lasting sense of accomplishment and pride
- Potential for induction into school or local sports halls of fame
- Inspiration for future generations of athletes
Can all-league honors contribute to personal growth and character development? Absolutely. The dedication, perseverance, and leadership skills required to earn all-league recognition often translate into valuable life lessons and personal attributes that serve individuals well in their future endeavors.
In conclusion, all-league status in high school sports represents a significant achievement that recognizes exceptional athletic performance within a specific league or conference. This honor not only validates an athlete’s hard work and skill but also opens doors to future opportunities in athletics and beyond. While the selection process may have its critics, the prestige and potential benefits of all-league recognition make it a coveted accolade for high school athletes across various sports.
As we’ve explored the various aspects of all-league honors, it’s clear that this recognition plays a crucial role in the high school sports ecosystem. From motivating individual athletes and entire teams to influencing college recruitment and leaving lasting legacies, all-league status continues to be an important benchmark of athletic excellence at the high school level.
For student-athletes striving for all-league recognition, the key lies in consistent performance, leadership on and off the field, and a commitment to both individual improvement and team success. As high school sports continue to evolve, the significance of all-league honors is likely to remain a cornerstone of athletic achievement, inspiring future generations to push their limits and excel in their chosen sports.
Greater Miami Conference
Colerain Celebrates Hall of Fame Inductions for 2020 and 2021
Colerain High School is excited to announce the new Hall Of Fame class for 2021. At halftime of the Colerain St.X football game on August, 27th Colerain High School will induct these 5 individuals and the 5 individuals from the 2020 Hall Of Fame class.
Here are the 5 members from 2020. Joe Schweitzer, Ashley Wanninger Vice, Lauren Weaver, Coach Steve Tapogna, and Eric Fitzpatrick.
Now for the 2021 Hall Of Fame Class.
Don Strunk – Class of 1973 – Don was a member of the cross country and track programs where he earned All League and All City honors in both track and cross country under coach Ken Meibers. He helped lead the Flying Cardinals to the League and Sectional Titles in 1972. At one point, he held 5 school records. During his junior and senior years, he qualified for the State Championship and earned All State honors his senior year. Upon graduation, Don went on to Hanover College where he was a member of their two Conference Championship and National qualifying teams in 1974 and 75. This coming year, he will be starting his 45th year in teaching in the Cincinnati Public School District.
Bert Bertagna – Class of 1977 – a member of the Football and Wrestling teams, he is still recognized as one of the all time greatest lineman in school history where he played both sides of the line under Coach Ben Hubbard (football) and Terry Bonta (Wrestling). In 1976, he was instrumental in helping the Cardinals share the League title, finished 3rd in the City and 5th in the State Polls with a 9-1 record. That year, he was selected All City, All County, All State and played in the East/West All-Star game. He went on to play for the University of Pittsburgh who went on to finish #2 in the the country. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science.
Seth Byers – Class of 2002 – considered one of the greatest soccer players to put on a Cardinal jersey, Seth was a four year starter and a captain his junior and senior years under Coach Paul Reedy. He was a 3 – time First Team All GMC player, a 3-time All City First Team member, and earned all State honors his junior and senior seasons. He helped lead Colerain to a GMC and District title in 1998, and a GMC title 2001. He still stands as the All-time scoring leader for Colerain with 57. Upon graduation, Seth went on to play for the University of Wisconsin.
Andrea Maas – Class of 2003 – Andrea is one of the most decorated distance runners in Colerain history under Coach Ron Russo. As a sophomore, she helped lead the Cardinals to their unprecedented, fourth straight Girls Division I State Championship in 2000 with a 13th place finish. She was recognized All State that season. In 2001, the Greater Miami Conference named her Runner of the Year in Cross Country and was the District Runner Up and Regional Runner Up on her way to a 10th place finish and earning First Team All State. As a senior, she was First Team All GMC, First Team All District, First Team All Regional and First Team All State. In Track, she was a three-time All GMC athlete, the 2002 District Champion in the 3200m run, and was a member of the 4X800m relay that earned All State honors in her last race as a Cardinal. She went on to become an All MAC runner in Cross Country for the Bobcats of Ohio University and was a member of their Championship team in 2006.
Samantha Morgan – Class of 2008 – viewed as an outstanding volleyball player under coaches Missy Dornan, Elizabeth Firsich, Cortney Weinhemier and JoAnna Delong who was also a member of the fastpitch softball team under Tom Bolden, Samantha was a four time All GMC player who earned First team honors her junior and senior seasons along with All City and All District honors. She still holds the school record with Career kills with 775 and ranks second in season kills with 253. She went on to play for Niagara University and was a member of three Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships. She received honors as the MAAC Libero of the Year in the Conference along with being distinguished for earning an NCAA record 130 straight matches with double digit digs in her four year career. She finished as Niagara’s Career Digs Leader with 2,406.
OHSAA Announces State Tournament Venues for 2021-2022
OHSAA Press Release:
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Several more state tournament venues have now been set by the Ohio High School Athletic Association for the 2021-22 school year and beyond. During the 2020-21 school year, the COVID-19 pandemic forced changes to several traditional state tournament venues.
“We are very excited to announce these state tournament venues because of the experience they will give our student-athletes, schools and communities,” said Doug Ute, OHSAA Executive Director. “We would like to thank all those who operate these venues and have an important part in these partnerships and support of high school sports in Ohio.”
The OHSAA individual wrestling state tournament will return to the Schottenstein Center at The Ohio State University for the next three years, with an option for a two-year extension. That event utilizes many areas of the arena, including the large warm-up gymnasium, and is one of the few venues in Ohio that is able to accommodate nine mats on the arena floor, which led to the expansion of the state tournament in 2000. More than 15,000 fans have regularly attended the semifinals and championships sessions. The OHSAA thanks Marengo Highland, Marion Harding and Hilliard Darby high schools for hosting the 2021 state tournament last March.
The wrestling state tournament will start on Friday, March 11, 2022, and conclude that Sunday evening.
The volleyball state tournament will return to the Nutter Center at Wright State University in Dayton. The 11,200-seat venue has hosted the volleyball state tournament since 1991, except for last year due to the pandemic. The OHSAA thanks Vandalia Butler High School for hosting the 2020 state tournament.
The state tournament agreements with the Ohio State University Golf Club in Columbus and NorthStar Golf Club in Sunbury have been extended for the next two years, while the agreement with the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, home of the prestigious Western and Southern Open, has been extended for the next three years to host the OHSAA girls and boys tennis state tournaments.
The 2021 OHSAA field hockey state tournament will remain at Thomas Worthington High School, where it was held in 2020. The OHSAA would like to thank Upper Arlington High School for hosting the event since 2002.
All OHSAA sports and confirmed state tournament venues are listed below.
OHSAA State Tournament Venues
Fall Sports
Golf – The Ohio State University Golf Club and NorthStar Golf Club
Girls Tennis – Lindner Family Tennis Center, Mason
Field Hockey – Thomas Worthington High School
Cross Country – Fortress Obetz and Memorial Park, Columbus
Soccer – Announcement Coming Soon
Volleyball – Wright State University, Dayton
Football – Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton
Winter Sports
Swimming & Diving – Branin Natatorium, Canton
Gymnastics – Hilliard Bradley High School
Bowling – Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl
Ice Hockey – Nationwide Arena, Columbus
Wrestling – Schottenstein Center, The Ohio State University
Girls and Boys Basketball – University of Dayton Arena
Spring Sports
Boys Tennis – Lindner Family Tennis Center, Mason
Lacrosse – TBA
Softball – Firestone Stadium, Akron
Track & Field – TBA
Baseball – TBA
### OHSAA ###
GMC Volleyball Set For Opening Day
Greater Miami Conference Girls Volleyball is primed for another outstanding year. Before the GMC season begins in earnest, squads will be tested against a wide variety of non-conference opponents from across Cincinnati. To see the opening rounds of action see the slate of matches below:
Colerain (H) vs. Talawanda 8/21 – 12:00 PM
Fairfield (H) vs. Northwest 8/21 – 11:00 AM
Hamilton @ Norwood 8/21 – 10:15 AM (Maderia Invitational)
East (H) vs. Walnut Hills 8/21 – 11:00 AM
West (H) vs. Little Miami 8/23 – 6:00 PM
Mason (H) vs. St. Ursula 8/24 – 6:30 PM (*More contests to be added)
Middletown @ Withrow 8/21 – 2:00 PM (*More contests to be added)
Oak Hills (H) vs. Miamisburg 8/21 – 11:00 AM
Princeton (H) vs. Franklin 8/21 – 11:30 AM
Sycamore @ Milford 8/21 – 12:00 PM
Best of luck GMC volleyball squads as they tackle the the 2021 campaign.
GMC Boys Soccer Readies For Demanding Conference Season
As with all sports in the GMC, Boys Soccer is amongst the best in all of Ohio. The 2021 Greater Miami Conference Boys Soccer campaign kicks off with a complete slate of challenging non-conference foes. To check out the opening night challenges see below:
Colerain @ Northwest 8/21 7:00 PM
Fairfield @ Turpin 8/21 5:00 PM
Hamilton @ Milford 8/20 5:00 PM
East (H) vs. St. Xavier 8/21 7:00 PM
West (H) vs. Centerville 8/21 7:00 PM
Mason (H) vs. Moeller 8/13 7:00 PM
Middletown @ Edgewood 8/24 7:00 PM
Oak Hills (H) vs. Ross 8/19 7:00 PM
Princeton (H) vs. Turpin 8/24 7:15 PM
Sycamore @ Kings 8/21 7:00 PM
Best of luck to all GMC Boys Soccer squads as they launch the 2021 season!
GMC Girls Futbol Set For Opening Contests
GMC Girls Soccer teams have worked very hard during the past months in preparation for the 2021 campaign. As the girls get set for a demanding GMC season, the entire conference opens up with non-conference matches within the next ten days.
For a sneak peak at those opening night contests, check out schedule below:
Colerain @ Northwest 8/21 7:00 PM
Fairfield @ Turpin 8/21 7:00 PM
Hamilton @ Milford 8/20 7:00 PM
East @ West Clermont 8/21 6:00 PM
West @ Ursuline Acad. 8/24 7:00 PM (Blue Ash Sports Center)
Mason (H) vs. St. Ursula 8/21 7:00 PM
Middletown (H) vs. Reading 8/21 2:00 PM
Oak Hills @ Ross 8/19 7:00 PM
Princeton (H) vs. Ursuline 8/26 7:00 PM
Sycamore @ Lebanon 8/13 Time: TBA
Best of luck to all GMC girls soccer teams as they embark upon the 2021 season.
TRANSATHLETE High school transgender athlete policies
K-12 Policies
While policies vary by state and school district, the recommendation for K-12 inclusion of transgender students is for transgender youth to be allowed to play sports in their affirmed gender.
The Transgender Law & Policy Institute‘s document, Guidelines for Creating Policies for Transgender Children in Recreational Sports, says,
“All young people should have the opportunity to play recreational sports and have their personal dignity respected. Transgender young people are no different. In fact, because transgender young people often must overcome significant stigma and challenges, it would be particularly harmful to exclude them from the significant physical, mental and social benefits that young people gain by playing recreational sports. The impact of such discrimination can be severe and can cause lifelong harm. In contrast, permitting transgender children and youth to participate in recreational sports in their affirmed gender can provide an enormous boost to their self-confidence and self-esteem and provide them with positive experiences that will help them in all other areas of their lives.”
DOWNLOAD: Guidelines for Creating Policies for Transgender Children in Recreational Sports.
Model Policy for Transgender Students on High School Teams
For guidelines for creating inclusive athletic policies for high school teams and a sample model policy for high school athletics, see our Model Policy .
High School Policies
The below listed policies are high school policies set by the state’s high school athletics association. They are not necessarily reflective of middle school policies, but many states follow the high school policies if they do not have their own. Middle school policies are more difficult to track, but will be added as we learn of them.
STATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION GUIDANCE ON INCLUSION OF TRANSGENDER AND NONBINARY STUDENTS & STATE ATHLETIC BAN LEGISLATION OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS
GLSEN advocates for policies that ensure that transgender (trans) and nonbinary students can participate in sports on a team or in competition based on their gender identity. There are 16 states (including D.C) that have friendly policies that help facilitate the full inclusion of trans and nonbinary students in high school athletics. There are 6 states with guidance that exclude trans and nonbinary students by requiring students to participate in athletics based on their birth certificate or their sex assigned at birth. Another 3 states bar trans and nonbinary students from participation unless they have undergone surgery. Discriminatory restriction policies that create additional barriers to inclusion of trans and nonbinary students are in place in 16 states. Finally, there are 10 states that have not issued any statewide guidance on best practices that should be implemented in schools leaving students to navigate a patchwork of policies that differ between local education agencies and schools in the state. Additionally, some states have passed discriminatory legislation barring gender-affirming participation of transgender student athletes, and only allow students to compete on teams based on the sex listed on an existing birth certificate. This began with HB 500 in Idaho in 2020, and since then a rash of similar bills have been introduced in more than 30 states, with legislation being enacted in Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and West Virginia, thus far during the 2021 legislative cycle. Furthermore, the governor of South Dakota has issued a state ban via executive order. The Idaho law is currently being challenged in federal court in Hecox v. Little.
Green: Friendly state guidance
Blue: Guidance that requires medical “proof” and/or invasive disclosures
Red: discriminatory state guidance that includes multiple harmful components
Black: No state guidance
Alaska
The Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA) allows each school district to make its own policy and says it will accept whatever policy is in place at the student’s school. This means there may be inclusive policies at one school district, and discriminatory policies at another, without consistency throughout the state.
Additionally, if a school district doesn’t have a written policy, a student “may only participate based on their gender assigned at birth.”
LINK: Alaska’s new policy for transgender athletes
Arizona
Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) policy listed in its 2018-2019 AIA Policies and Procedures Handbook is listed as the “Transgender Policy” and states the following (note: both “Gender” and “Identity” are misspelled in this policy’s heading and within the policy, but we assume we know what they mean”):
“GENDER IDENTITY PARTICIPATION – all students should have the opportunity to participate in Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) activities in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity, irrespective of the sex listed on a student’s eligibility for participation in interscholastic athletics or in a gender that does not match the sex at birth, via the following procedure below. Once the student has been granted eligibility to participate in interscholastic athletics consistent with the athlete’s gender identity, the eligibility is granted for the duration of the student’s participation and does not need to be renewed every sport season or school year. All discussion and documentation will be kept confidential, and the proceedings will be sealed unless the student and family make a specific request.”
The steps required are: notice to the school, notice to AIA, and supporting documentation.
DOWNLOAD: AIA Transgender Policy 2019-2020 (page 11)
Arkansas – discriminatory
The Arkansas High School Activities Association uses birth certificate as the designator for participation. The policy states:
“Arkansas birth certificates state the sex of the person. The birth certificate is the document the AAA relies upon to determine participation in girls or boys activities where applicable. The AAA will accept a changed birth certificate concerning sex which is allowed under ACA Sec. 20-18-307.
If a sport is offered for members of each gender, athletes must participate with members of their own gender in district, region, state, or overall competition, except for female athletes who must choose prior to the district/conference tournament to waive their opportunity to compete in girls state competition in order to compete on a boys team in a district/conference or state competition. (AAA rules permit girls to play on the football and baseball teams.)”
DOWNLOAD: 2019-2020 AAA Handbook (policy on page 50)
California
The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) policy says “All students should have the opportunity to participate in CIF activities in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on a student’s records. The student and/or the student’s school may seek review of the student’s eligibility for participation in interscholastic athletics in a gender that does not match the gender assigned to him or her at birth, via the following procedure below should either the student or the school have questions or need guidance in making the determination. ”
DOWNLOAD: California Interscholastic Federation guidelines for gender identity participation 2019-2020
On January 1, 2014, California Assembly Bill 1266 went into effect, allowing students to participate in athletics and sex-segregated activities in accordance with their gender identity. This law prohibits public schools from discriminating on the basis of specified characteristics, including gender, gender identity, and gender expression, and specifies various statements of legislative intent and the policies of the state in that regard. Existing law requires that participation in a particular physical education activity or sport, if required of pupils of one sex, be available to pupils of each sex. This bill would require that a pupil be permitted to participate in sex-segregated school programs and activities, including athletic teams and competitions, and use facilities consistent with his or her gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the pupil’s records.
LINK: California AB 1266 bill text
The California Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000 prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in California public schools.
The California Safe Schools Coalition, a statewide partnership of organizations and individuals dedicated to eliminating discrimination and harassment on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity in California schools, has a detailed model school district policy regarding transgender and gender non-conforming students.
The document says, “Under state law, public schools and non-religious private schools that receive state funding, have a legal duty to protect students from discrimination and harassment on the basis of actual and perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, or on the basis of association with a person with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. “
DOWNLOAD: California Safe Schools Coalition Model School District Policy Regarding Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students.
LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has a clear set of guidelines for the inclusion of trans students, which includes specifics about athletic participation and locker room use, as well as addressing students by preferred names and pronouns.
DOWNLOAD: Los Angeles Unified School District Transgender Policy 2019
Colorado
Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) has a policy for trans athletes which states, “in order to insure appropriate gender assignment for purposes of athletic eligibility, a transgender student-athlete’s home school will perform a confidential evaluation to determine the gender assignment for the prospective student-athlete.” In a 2014 article, Bethany Brookens, an assistant commissioner at CHSAA, says Colorado’s policy is to let transgender student athletes compete as members of whatever gender they self-identify.
The Transgender Procedure and Policy document outlines the policies and appeals procedures regarding transgender athletes.
DOWNLOAD: CHSAA Transgender Procedure and Policy
Delaware
The Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) policy states:
a. A transgender student, defined as a student whose gender identity differs from the student’s birth sex, shall be eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics in a manner that is consistent with the student’s gender identity, under any of the following conditions:
i. The student provides an official record, such as a revised birth certificate, a driver’s license or a passport, demonstrating legal recognition of the students reassigned sex, or
ii. A physician certifies that the student has had appropriate clinical treatment for transition to the reassigned sex, or
iii. A physician certifies that the student is in the process of transition to the reassigned sex.
iv. The determination of a student’s sex-assignment for interscholastic athletics shall be made by the student’s school.
v. The determination of a student’s sex-assignment for interscholastic athletics shall remain in effect for the duration of the student’s high school eligibility.
b. Any member school may appeal the eligibility of a transgender student on the grounds that the student’s participation in interscholastic athletics would adversely affect competitive equity or safety of teammates or opposing players.
c. Any such appeal will be heard by the DIAA Board of Directors.
d. The identity of the student shall remain confidential and at the request of the student’s parents the hearing will be confidential.
DOWNLOAD: DIAA policy
Florida
The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) policy for gender identity participation in sports states, “All eligible students should have the opportunity to participate in interscholastic athletics in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity and expression, irrespective of the gender listed on a student’s birth certificate and/or records. ”
DOWNLOAD: 2019-2020 FHSAA Administrative Policies (gender identity policy on page 72)
Georgia – discriminatory
The Georgia High School Association (GHSA) bylaw 1.47 states GHSA will allow each school to make determinations on gender, but the website’s official statement of interpretation of the rule states:
“Interpretation of Gender Designation
INTERPRETATION OF BY-LAW 1.47
GHSA By-law 1.47 reads as follows: “Girls may participate on boys’ teams when there is no girls’ team offered in that sport by the school. Boys are not allowed to play on girls’ teams even when there is no corresponding boys’ sport. (NOTE: Cheerleading is a coed sport.)
INTERPRETATION: A student’s gender is determined by the gender noted on his/her birth certicate (sic).
1.47 A student’s gender is determined as follows:
(a) Girls may participate on boys’ teams when there is no girls’ team offered in that sport or activity by the school. Boys may not participate on girls’ teams even when there is no corresponding boys’ sport or activity. Cheerleading is a coed sport.
(b) The GHSA will honor a gender determination made by a member school. The GHSA will not make gender identity determinations nor entertain appeals of the member school’s determination.
(c) The GHSA will attempt to accommodate requests for private restroom or locker/dressing room facilities for students requesting the same at GHSA playoff events or contests provided notice of the request is made as soon as possible to the GHSA office. No student shall be required to utilize the private facilities.
DOWNLOAD: GHSA constitution 2019-20
DOWNLOAD: GHSA Gender Policy official interpretation 2019-2020
Hawaii – NO POLICY
The Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) has no policy on transgender athlete participation. Schools in Hawaii have guidance on respectful treatment of transgender students, including that schools should recognize and respect a student’s gender identity, students should be able to dress according to their gender identity, and schools should grant transgender students access to whichever bathroom or locker room they feel most comfortable in – however, the guidelines provide no clarity for participation of trans athletes.
Idaho – discriminatory
In March 2020, Idaho became the first state in the country to make a law to prevent the participation of high school and college athletes who are transgender. The “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act” (known as HB500) The Idaho High School Activities Association (IHSAA) policy requires transgender athletes to make a medical transition and allows for participation with the following conditions:
A. A female-to-male transgender student athlete who is taking a medically prescribed hormone treatment under a physicians care for the purposes of gender transition may participate only on a boys team.
B. A male-to-female transgender student athlete is not taking hormone treatment related to gender transition may participate only on a boys team.
C. A male-to-female transgender student athlete who is taking medically prescribed hormone treatment under a physicians care for the purposes of gender transition may participate on a boys team at any time, but must complete one year of hormone treatment related to the gender transition before competing on a girls team.
DOWNLOAD: IHSAA transgender student participation policy (rule 11)
Illinois
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) has a school and association policy regarding transgender student athletes participation.
School Procedure:
1) The student and/or parents shall contact the school administrator or athletic director at their member school notifying them that the student has a different gender identity than listed on the student’s school registration card or birth certificate and that the student wishes to participate in athletics/activities in a manner consistent with their gender identity. The school shall collect the following for the participation ruling:
a. Gender identity used for school registration records
b. Medical documentation (hormonal treatments, sexual re-assignment surgery, counseling, medical
personnel, etc.)
c. Gender Identity related advantages for approved participation
2) Once the school administrator has collected the relevant information, the member school shall contact the IHSA office in writing of the request for the ruling, the student’s gender identity, and the selected athletics/activities that the student would like the opportunity to participate in if they are selected through the team try-out process.
a. Once the student is approved, participation is granted through the duration of their high school career, it does not need to be annually renewed.
IHSA Procedure:
IHSA will make final rulings on student participation. The IHSA will establish a group of medical personnel to act in an advisory role when reviewing rulings. Appealing parties should provide the following documentation:
1) A current transcript and school registration information
2) Documentation of the student’s consistent gender identification (e.g. affirmation statements from student,parent/guardian, and/or health care provider.
3) Any other pertinent documentation or information
The IHSA will respond to the member school in writing the decision of the participation ruling.
DOWNLOAD: IHSA transgender student athlete policy
Indiana – discriminatory
The Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) rules do not permit “transgender or transsexual, cross-dressing or similar types of student-athletes to participate on a member School’s team which is other than the team of the gender which matches the student’s birth gender. However, it may be demonstrated that the student’s birth gender has changed (changed gender), after which the student may only participate on a team of the changed gender. Proof of a student’s changed gender is shown by the following:
a. Providing reliable medical evidence that the student-athlete has undergone sex change before puberty, or
b. Providing reliable medical evidence that the student-athlete has undergone sex change after puberty, which should include evidence that surgical and anatomical changes have been completed, including genitalia changes and gonadectomy, that all hormonal therapies appropriate for the assigned sex have been administered in a verifiable manner, that sufficient length of time has occurred such as to minimize gender-related advantages and all legal recognition of the sex change has been conferred with all proper governmental agencies (A copy of the student’s amended birth certificate, a court order or other official state determination showing the student’s new gender will suffice).
c. In addition, to verify a student’s changed gender, the student may be required to submit to a confidential case-by-case evaluation by an IHSAA Gender Committee relative to the gender change.”
DOWNLOAD: IHSAA Gender Policy
Iowa – discriminatory
The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IAHSAA) has separate associations for girls and boys sports.
FOR MALE ATHLETES: “The transgender student at an Iowa High School Athletic Association member school who identifies as male, despite having been born with female genitals, shall be allowed to fully compete as a male as long as he consistently identifies as a male at school, home and socially.”
DOWNLOAD: IHSAA transgender participation policy
FOR FEMALE ATHLETES: “The transgender student at an Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union member school who identifies as a female despite having been born with male genitals shall be allowed to fully compete as a female as long as she consistently identifies as a female at school, home and socially — subject to item “a. ” (NOTE: can not find item “a” for reference)
ALSO: “The IGHSAU will not make decisions or offer input into specific situations occurring at local school districts. All authority and obligation to abide by and implement Iowa Code Chapter 216 with respect to transgender student-athletes will remain with the local school district. Eligibility of a transgender student-athlete will be presumed. However, if there arises at the local level a documented eligibility controversy, the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union shall have the authority under the applicable Iowa Administrative Code to determine eligibility.”
DOWNLOAD: IGHSAU transgender statement
The Code of Iowa clearly delineates unfair practices and discriminatory acts in education. IOWA Section 216.9 Unfair or discriminatory practices – education reads:
1. It is an unfair or discriminatory practice for any educational institution to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, or disability in any program or activity. Such discrimination practices shall include but not be limited to the following practices:
a. Exclusion of a person or persons from participation in, denial of the benefits of, or subjection to discrimination in any academic, extracurricular, research, occupational training, or other programs or activity except athletic programs;
b. Denial of comparable opportunity in intramural and interscholastic athletic programs;
c. Discrimination among persons in employment and the conditions of employment;
d. On the basis of sex, the application of any rule concerning the actual or potential parental, family or marital status of a person, or the exclusion of any person from any program or activity or employment because of pregnancy or related conditions dependent upon the physician’s diagnosis and certification.
2. For the purpose of this section, “educational institution” includes any preschool, elementary or secondary schools, community college, area education agency, or post-secondary college or university and their governing boards. This section does not prohibit an educational institution from maintaining separate toilet facilities, locker rooms, or living facilities for the different sexes so long as comparable facilities are provided. Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting any bona fide religious institution from imposing qualifications based on religion, sexual orientation or gender identity when such qualifications are related to a bona fide religious purpose or any institution from admitting students of only one sex. The Code of Iowa clearly defines “Gender identity.” Section 216.2 Definitions. Reads: “When used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: “Gender identity” means a gender-related identity of a person, regardless of a person’s assigned sex at birth.”
Kansas
The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) policy says the school is responsible to determine the appropriate gender team for participation by the student. Once this determination is made, the school “is responsible to notify the KSHSAA if a student intends to participate on a team opposite their birth gender. ” Notification must be given prior to entering the student in the KSHSAA eligibility system and allowing participation. KSHSAA handles all disputes.
DOWNLOAD: KSHSAA transgender participation policy
Kentucky – discriminatory
The Kentucky High School Activities Association policy is among the worse in the country, requiring student-athletes to participate in accordance with their birth certificate or to have gender reassignment surgery.
This policy is specific to eligibility to participate in the privilege of interscholastic athletics:
a) Each student-athlete shall participate according to the gender as listed on their birth certificate unless they were legally reassigned.
b) Reassignment may be demonstrated through the use of a birth certificate, driver’s license, passport or other certified medical record as verified to the member school.
c) Each member school is responsible for making this initial determination for its student-athlete.
d) A student-athlete who has undergone sex reassignment is eligible to compete in the reassigned gender, provided such is not precluded by additional adopted bylaw or policy, when:
(1) The student-athlete has undergone sex reassignment before puberty, or
(2) The student-athlete has undergone sex reassignment after puberty under all of the following conditions:
a. Surgical anatomical changes have been completed, including external genitalia changes and gonadectomy;
b. Hormonal therapy appropriate for the assigned sex has been administered in a verifiable manner and for a sufficient length of time to minimize gender-related advantages in sports competition; and
c. If a student-athlete stops taking hormonal treatment, they will be required to participate in the sport consistent with their birth gender.
DOWNLOAD: Kentucky – policy for transgender participation
Lousiana – discriminatory
As part of the Gender Equity Statement, the Lousiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) the LHSAA has adopted a position on Gender Identity Participation. While this adopted position of Gender Identification is not LHSAA policy, it is intended to serve as a guideline to help direct the member schools and the LHSAA administration regarding student participation regardless of their gender identity under certain conditions. A student-athlete shall compete in the gender of their birth certificate unless they have undergone sex reassignment. A student-athlete who has undergone sex reassignment must go through the hardship appeal process to become eligible for interscholastic competition. The Hardship Committee shall consider all of the facts of the situation and shall rule the student-athlete eligible to compete in the reassigned gender when:
1. The student-athlete has undergone sex reassignment before puberty, OR
2. The student-athlete has undergone sex reassignment after puberty under all of the following conditions:
a. Surgical anatomical changes have been completed, including external genitalia changes and gonadectomy.
b. All legal recognition of the sex reassignment has been conferred with all the proper governmental agencies (Driver’s license, voter registration, etc.)
c. Hormonal therapy appropriate for the assigned sex has been administered in a verifiable manner and for sufficient length of time to minimize gender-related advantages in sports competition.
d. Athletic eligibility in the reassigned gender can begin no sooner than two years after all surgical and anatomical changes have been completed.
DOWNLOAD: Lousiana position statement for Gender Equity
Maine
The Maine Principals’ Association policy states, Consistent with its principles, the MPA believes that all students should have the opportunity to participate in MPA activities in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity, unless such participation would result in an unfair athletic advantage or would present an unacceptable risk of injury to other student athletes. “
DOWNLOAD: Maine Principal’s Association guidebook (transgender policy on page 19)
Maryland
Maryland protects transgender students against discrimination based on gender identity. Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) has a policy which states “each school system should develop and apply criteria for students to participate on interscholastic athletic teams consistent with their bona fide gender identity.” Also:
“To ensure competitive fairness and equal opportunities to participate without discrimination, local criteria for transgender persons should reflect the following:
A.Transgender students can participate on the interscholastic athletics team of the student’s birth gender.
B.Transgender students can participate on interscholastic athletics teams of the gender that the student has transitioned to. This may be supported by medical documentation (hormonal therapy, sexual re-assignment surgery, counseling, etc. ) confirming transition of gender.
C.Transgender students may compete on the interscholastic team of the gender the student identifies with, as recognized by the local school system and established in official school system records. (This may differ from the student’s gender listed in school system records).
DOWNLOAD: MPSSAA Transgender Policy
Michigan
The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) adopted a Transgender Policy at its May 2012 Representative Council Meeting to approve policies and procedures by which the MHSAA executive director will determine the eligibility of transgender students in MHSAA tournaments. The document stating the policies and procedures is to be provided to schools when requested on a case-by-case basis.
DOWNLOAD: MHSAA Transgender Policy (notes are from 2012 meeting – policy not published online)
In 2016, the State of Michigan provided guidance instructing schools to allow transgender athletes to participate in accordance to their gender identity.
Minnesota
The Minnesota High School Sports League (MSHSL) allows participation for all students consistent with their gender identity or expression in an environment free from discrimination with an equal opportunity for participation in athletics and fine arts. The MSHSL voted in December 2014 to open up girls’ sports to transgender student-athletes. The decision took effect in the 2015-16 school year, making the state the 33rd to adopt a formal transgender student policy. The board set out criteria for determining whether transgender students who were born male but identify as female can be eligible for girls’ teams at the nearly 500 schools in the league’s membership. State law already permits girls to compete in boys’ sports. The new process for establishing eligibility will include written statements from a student’s parents or guardians and health care professionals regarding the student’s “consistent or sincerely held gender-related identity.” A school’s activities director will make the eligibility decision, with appeals heard by an independent hearing officer.
Religious-affiliated private schools will be exempt from complying with the league’s new language.
DOWNLOAD: Approved transgender participation policy (Dec. 2014)
VIEW: High school league overwhelmingly approves transgender policy
Mississippi – NO POLICY
The Mississippi High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) has no policy on transgender athlete participation.
While MHSAA has no policy, in April 2016 HB1523 passed, allowing cover for those enforcing “sex-specific policies for employee or student dress or grooming, or concerning access to restrooms, showers, dressing rooms, or locker rooms.” This means trans athletes could be discriminated against or forced to use the rest room and locker room in alignment with the sex assigned on their birth certificate.
Missouri
The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) allows transgender males using hormone therapy (testosterone) to participate on a men’s team, and allows transgender women to play on men’s teams for the first year of documented testosterone suppression, after which she would be eligible to play on a women’s team.
A transgender student will be defined as a student whose gender identity does not match the sex assigned to him or her at birth as reflected on the student’s birth certificate or school records. A transgender student must meet the following in order to participate in sex-separated interscholastic sports so long as the
athlete’s use of hormone therapy is consistent with current medical standards:
• A trans male (female to male) student-athlete who has undergone treatment with testosterone for gender transition may compete on a boys team but is no longer eligible to compete on a girls team without changing the team status to a mixed team. A mixed team is eligible only for boys championships.
• A trans female (male to female) student-athlete being treated with testosterone suppression medication for gender transition may continue to compete on a boys team but may not compete on a girls team without changing it to a mixed team status until completing one calendar year of documented testosterone-suppression treatment.
This policy was taken from the approved NCAA Transgender Policy, approved September 13, 2011. (June 2012)
DOWNLOAD: MSHSAA policy on transgender student athletes (page 140)
Nevada
Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) adopted its position on transgender student-athletes in January 2014 and updated in 2016. While not an NIAA regulation, the guideline serves as a way to direct member and affiliate schools on the subject. Transgender athletes will be allowed to compete in sanctioned sports “in accordance with his or her gender identity irrespective to the gender listed on the student’s birth certificate,” the NIAA said in a statement posted on its website.
DOWNLOAD: NIAA recommendation for transgender athletes.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association (NHIAA) allows transgender students to participate when the student and parent(s)/guardian notify the school in writing at least two months prior to the season they intend to participate in athletics that the student has a consistent gender identity different than the gender of the student’s birth certificate and list the sport(s) in which the student would like to participate. The school may use the following criteria to determine participation:
Current transcript and school registration information
A written statement from the student affirming the consistent gender identity and expression to which the student self-relates.
Documentation from individuals such as, but not limited to parents, friends, and/or teachers, which affirm that the actions, attitudes, dress and manner demonstrate the student’s consistent gender identification and expression.
Written verification from an appropriate health-care professional (doctor, psychiatrist, and psychologist) of the student’s consistent gender identification and expression.
Medical documentation (hormonal therapy, sexual re-assignment surgery, counseling, medical personnel, etc.)
The policy allows another member school to object and begin a review process of the player’s eligibility, but the appeal process allows for input from the student athlete and their family.
DOWNLOAD: NHIAA Policy Statement and School Recommendation Regarding Transgender Participation
New Jersey
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) transgender policy allows students to participate in a manner consistent with the student’s gender identity. Under the new regulations (updated November 2017), transgender students will be eligible to participate in accordance with either their birth sex or in accordance with their gender identity, but not both. Medical consultation is no longer required.
DOWNLOAD: NJSIAA transgender policy update November 2017
LINK: Transgender policy gets overhaul by state athletic association (Nov 16, 2017)
New York
New York State Public High School Athletic Association has passed guidelines stating that students wishing to participate in sports and parents/guardians must notify the Superintendent and Athletic Director of the District if a student has a gender identity different from what is listed on their birth certificate. The school will use gender identity used for school registration and other purposes, medical documentation, and “gender identity related advantage for approved participation” to determine a student’s eligibility. The guidelines will allow transgender students to participate, IF the school follows them – as guidelines, schools are not required to follow the recommendations of allowing trans athletes to participate in accordance with gender identity.
NEW YORK CITY
New York City’s Department of Education includes protections for both gender identity and gender expression in its statement on discrimination/harassment. On March 10, 2014, the NYC Department of Education announced specific protections for transgender students. Regarding athletics, their policy calls for inclusion with case-by-case review for competitive activities and contact sports. It also does not require schools to allow students to use facilities in accordance with their gender identity.
“Transgender students are to be provided the same opportunities to participate in physical education as are all other students. Generally, students should be permitted to participate in physical education and sports in accordance with the student’s gender identity that is consistently asserted at school. Participation in competitive athletic activities and contact sports will be resolved on a case-by-case basis.”
DOWNLOAD: NYHSAA guidelines
LINK: New York approves guidelines for transgender athletes
LINK: NYC’s Department of Education Transgender Student Guidelines
North Carolina
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) met in May 2019 to adopt a new inclusive policy for transgender student-athletes. Students not on hormones may compete according to the sex listed on their birth certificate. In a case where a student’s identity does not match their birth certificate, they may submit a Gender Identity Request form to compete in sports in the gender they identify with and live their lives as.
DOWNLOAD: North Carolina Trangender Student Athlete Policy (2019 handbook version)
North Dakota
The North Dakota High School Athletic Association (NDHSAA) policy says a transgender student who is not taking hormone treatment related to gender transition may participate in a sex-separated interscholastic contest in accordance with the sex assigned to him or her at birth.
The following clarifies participation in sex-separated interscholastic contests of transgender students undergoing hormonal treatment for gender transition:
• A trans male (female to male) student who has undergone treatment with testosterone for gender transition may compete in a contest for boys but is no longer eligible to compete in a contest for girls.
• A trans female (male to female) student being treated with testosterone suppression medication for gender transition may continue to compete in a contest for boys but may not compete in a contest for girls until completing one calendar year of documented testosterone-suppression treatment.
DOWNLOAD: NDHSAA policy
As of Jan 2020, the last update for this policy remains 2015.
Ohio
The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) policy states, “a transgender female (or male-to-female (MTF) transgender student athlete) who is taking medically prescribed hormone treatment related to gender transition may participate on a boy’s team at any time. However, before a transgender female can compete in a girl’s sport or on a girl’s team, the transgender female must either (1) have completed a minimum of one year of hormone treatment related to gender transition or (2) demonstrate to the Commissioner’s Office by way of sound medical evidence that the transgender female student athlete does not possess physical (bone structure, muscle mass, testosterone, hormonal, etc.) or physiological advantages over genetic females of the same age group.
A transgender male (or female-to-male (FTM) transgender student athlete) who has not yet begun medically prescribed testosterone treatment for purposes of gender transition may compete on a boy’s team. If the transgender male student athlete is taking medically prescribed testosterone
treatment, he can participate on a boy’s team but must have his hormone levels checked regularly.
DOWNLOAD: OHSAA Transgender Participation Policy
As of Jan 2020, the most recent update of this policy is 2018.
Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) goes into effect July 1 and allows athletic eligibility of transgender student-athletes based on certain guidelines that center around medical therapy from a licensed physician. The OSSAA’s policy requires male-to-female students to complete at least one year of hormone therapy before being allowed to participate on girls teams.
LINK: Oklahoma makes K-12 policy
Oregon
The Oregon School Athletic Association (OSAA) policy states that transgender students may participate in the category associated with their gender identity without restrictions. Gender fluid and non-binary youth may participate in the category they choose, but may not change that category during the season.
LINK: OSAA 2019 Handbook (page 71)
Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, Inc (PIAA) has a policy on “mixed-gender participation” which includes some phrasing about transgender students. However, the policy allows a school’s principal to make the final decision about what gender a student is and which team they may play on, without outlining any criteria for the decision making process.
The policy says, “Where a student’s gender is questioned or uncertain, the PIAA will accept the principal’s decision as to the student’s gender.
While this wording does encourage school districts to be proactive about making policies for trans participation, it does not guide the school districts in any direction and still allows one person (principal) to make a decision about a player’s eligibility.
DOWNLOAD: PIAA Transgender Policy (page 116)
Rhode Island
The Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) policy says, “The RIIL recognizes the value of participation in interscholastic sports for all member school student athletes. The RIIL is committed to providing all student-athletes with equal opportunities to participate in RIIL athletic programs consistent with their gender identity. This policy addresses eligibility determinations for students who have a gender identity that is different from the gender listed on their official birth certificates. “
DOWNLOAD: RIIL Rules and Regulations – Article 3, Section 3: GENDER IDENTITY (2019-2020)
Texas – discriminatory
In February 2016, Texas school superintendents voted to use a student’s birth certificate to determine a student-athlete’s gender for participation in sports. The legislative council of the University Interscholastic League (UIL), the governing body for Texas high school sports, recommended the amendment in October. According to UIL, if the amendment is approved by Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath, it will take effect in August 2016.
LINK: Texas Districts Pass UIL Restriction on Trans Athletes
Virginia
The Virginia High School League (VHSL) updated its policy in December 2014. The new policy eliminates the strict requirement of “sex reassignment surgery,” allowing a student to participate in sports if they are verified as having “a consistent identity different than the gender listed on the student’s official birth certificate,” or have already begun some form of hormone therapy. The policy emphasizes that the gender identity must be “bona fide” and requires a process that involves a number of officials verifying that identity.
UPDATE January 2016: In Virginia, a state lawmaker recently proposed a bill that would require schoolchildren and others to use public bathrooms that corresponded to their “anatomical sex” and called for fining those who don’t comply.
DOWNLOAD: VHSL Policy update
Washington (State)
The Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) policy says, “All students should have the opportunity to participate in WIAA activities in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on a student’s records.”
The 2013-14 WIAA handbook details the policies for trans athletes and includes procedures for ensuring access to participation.
DOWNLOAD: 2019-20 WIAA Handbook (page 32)
Washington DC
The District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) supports the process outlined in the download to address the participation of transgender students in all DCSAA state finals series in interscholastic athletics as it aligns with the DC Human Rights Act, Title IX, and other laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination or participation in interscholastic programs and activities sponsored by the DCSAA.
All students should have the opportunity to participate in DCSAA activities in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on a student’s records or identification documents. Schools should allow students to participate in DCSAA activities in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity.
DOWNLOAD: DCSAA Handbook 2013 (page 68 for policy).
West Virginia – NO POLICY
The West Virginia Secondary School Athletic Commission (WVSSAC ) has no policy on transgender athlete participation.
Wyoming
The Wyoming High School Athletic Association (WHSAA) states all students should be considered for the opportunity to participate in Wyoming High School Activities Association activities in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on a student’s records. However, independent review from the member school may be used to make a determination, with one category being “balancing the effects the approval would have on the individual and those other individuals that would be affected by the change.”
The student’s member school will be the first point of determination for the student’s eligibility to participate in WHSAA sanctioned activities. The student and/or parent shall notify the school administrator or activities director, in writing, indicating that the student has a consistent gender identity different than the gender listed on the student’s school registration records, and that the student desires to participate in activities in a manner consistent with his/her gender identity.
The member school may use the following non-exclusive list of criteria to determine participation:
• Gender identity from school registration records
• Medical documentation (hormonal therapy, sexual re-assignment surgery, counseling, medical personnel, etc.)
• Balancing the effects the approval would have on the individual and those other individuals that would be affected by the change.
DOWNLOAD: WHSAA transgender participation policy (page 40).
High School Organization Policy
National Scholastic Athletics Foundation
The National Scholastic Athletics Foundation is the organization responsible for the New Balance Nationals Indoor track championships. The organization uses the USATF policy which follows the IOC policy, which is inappropriate for high school athletes.
On Feb. 26, 2019, NSAF released a statement to announce its transgender athlete policy in advance of the 2019 national championship races:
February 25, 2019 – Different states have adopted different approaches to the eligibility of transgender girls in public education-based sport, based on their particular goals for their co- and extra-curricular events. The National Scholastic Athletics Foundation (NSAF) is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated in part to staging national-level elite development events and to providing equal competitive opportunities to girls and boys. We are also a member organization of USA Track & Field and so subject to its rules. Even though our organization’s goals are often different from those of public school sports, we are committed to including transgender athletes in our events who have met our requirements so that we can ensure to the extent possible fair competition for all entrants.
Recognizing the rapidly changing landscape and the different approaches adopted across the country, the NSAF began work on its transgender policy in Spring 2018. It was finalized in Fall 2018. Because our focus is elite development sport, harmonization of our rules with those of our sport’s national governing body, USA Track & Field, was and remains an additional priority.
Pre-pubescent transgender girls are eligible for NSAF competitions based on their affirmed gender. Consistent with USATF rules and IOC guidelines, post-pubescent transgender girls are eligible for NSAF competitions based on their affirmed gender once they have completed a year’s course of gender affirming hormones. Gender affirming surgery may also satisfy the policy requirements but is not required.
DOWNLOAD: National Scholastic Athletics Foundation Transgender Participation Policy & Procedure
LINK: National Scholastic Athletics Foundation Transgender Participation Policy & Procedure online
Canada
Alberta
The Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association (ASAA) policy allows any transgender student-athlete to participate fully and safely in sex-separated sports activities in accordance with their gender identity.
DOWNLOAD: ASAA Handbook 2017-2018 (page 43)
Vancouver, BC, Canada
In June 2014, Vancouver School Board (BC, Canada) passed great protections for trans youth. Regarding athletics, the new policy says:
a) Where possible, students will be permitted to participate in any sex-segregated recreational and competitive athletic activities, in accordance with their gender identity. Due to issues of disclosure and safety, some students may wish to participate in a sex- segregated activity that is not aligned with their gender
identity.
b) Trans students shall be provided the same opportunities to participate in physical education as all other students, shall not be asked or required to have
physical education outside of the assigned class time, and shall be permitted to participate in any sex-segregated activities in accordance with their gender
identity if they so choose.
DOWNLOAD: Vancouver School Board Draft policy June 2014.
Home – SouthernConnecticutConference.org
Last Updated: 30 June 2021
One year ago, we all were anxiously getting ready for the opening of the state and schools for the fall, and all filled with uncertainty that high school sports would be even played.
Well, a year later, we did it. While it was challenging in every aspect; dealing with team quarantines, changing spectator policies and paying truncated schedules, the SCC was able to pull it off. As there were no CIAC state tournaments during the fall and winter, the SCC stepped up and provided our student-athletes with a regular-season, a tournament experience and we continued to recognize our student-athletes with accolades – more than ever before.
We ALL did this working through the various apprehensions and obstacles thrown our way.
It is a credit to our administrators, coaches and student-athletes for following the “new” routines and procedures.
However, the effort did come at a tremendous financial cost to the league. As we close out the 2020-21 academic year, we are asking for your help. That’s why the SCC is holding a fund-raising campaign to help offset some of the costs the league incurred to operate in the best interests of our member schools and student-athletes. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the SCC.
There are three types of donations
All donations are tax-deductible (and names of donors) will be recognized on our league website – www.SouthernConnecticutConference.org.
Letterwinner: $25
All-SCC: $100 – gets an SCC hat
All-American: $250 – gets an SCC hat and shirt (please indicate size)
You can make your donation via:
Check: Checks can be made payable to the SCC, and mailed to Steve Trifone, SCC Treasurer, c/o Cheshire High School, 525 South Main Street, Cheshire, CT 06410.
Venmo – @SCCest1994
PayPal: Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and instructions will be sent to you.
Any questions, please contact Al Carbone, SCC Commissioner (203) 671-4421
THANK YOU and please enjoy the summer!
Greater Western Ohio Conference
Order Your Fall GWOC Sports Apparel
The GWOC has setup online stores for athletes and fans to order their favorite fall sports apparel. All orders are due by August 15 and will be delivered to the school.
SOCCER: https://gwocsoccer21.alleycatstore.com/
VOLLEYBALL: https://gwocvolleyball21.alleycatstore.com/
GOLF: https://gwocgolf21.alleycatstore.com/
TENNIS: https://gwoctennis21.alleycatstore.com/
FOOTBALL: https://gwocfootball21.alleycatstore.com/
Cross country apparel will continue to be sold at the GWOC cross country meet.
Coaching Legend Ed Zink Retires
Ed Zink announced recently that he will retire after 46 years as head coach of the Beavercreek girls basketball team. Coach Zink’s records are massive and sets the bar for coaching standards. He won three Division I championships as well as numerous regional, district, and conference championships. But more impressive than his stats is the impact he has had on so many over the years. We were blessed to have been a part of Coach Zink’s time as basketball coach at Beavercreek. Good luck Coach Zink!
Spring Sports Apparel Ordering Sites
For athletes and fans interested in showing their spirit, please see below links to the 2021 championship apparel sites (please note the order deadlines). Apparel is available via the below online ordering process. Ordering is easy, ready and open! Regardless of your sport you can order from any link and get a GWOC Athletics hooded sweatshirt.
The ordering links are:
High School Track: https://gwochstrack21.alleycatstore.com/
JV Track Meet: https://gwocjvtrack21.
Middle School Track: https://gwocmstrack21.alleycatstore.com/
Middle School Baseball: https://gwocmsbaseball21.alleycatstore.com/
Middle School Softball: https://gwocmssoftball21.alleycatstore.com/
Centerville Boys Basketball – State Champions
Congratulations to the Centerville boys basketball team on winning the division I state championship. The Elks won their first championship in exciting fashion as they defeated Westerville Central 43-42. The win capped a magical season in a difficult covid year. The Elks finished the season at 26-3. Congratulations Centerville on your outstanding accomplishment!
League Rules and Policies | Puget Sound Basketball League
- This league is based on high school rules with a few extra rules and policies mentioned here.
- The philosophy is to enjoy the competitive spirit and camaraderie of a fun game in a structured league.
- We will not tolerate any displays of anger, threatening comments or actions, or foul language for any reason.
- We will not tolerate words/gestures that are meant to provoke or threaten other players or anyone else involved with the game.
- Players are not allowed to talk to the scorekeeper (scorekeepers are volunteers- please respect them.)
- If there is a strong disagreement with referees, the captain needs to talk to the league director, Tim Kerns, not to the referee. Referees are not required to defend their officiating to players/spectators. Since there is no security, these referees are to be given total control. If you disagree with the officials at your game, you are obligated to control your emotions and call our office during regular business hours.
- Physical confrontation: Any player, manager, or person affiliated with a team physically confronting (poking, pushing, shoving, or the like) an official, player, or spectator before, during, or after the game will be suspended from the league for a time period determined by the PSBL board. A blow or punch to the head will be grounds for a minimum one-year suspension and possible permanent refusal of service. Any physical bump or action taken against an official, including aggressive confrontations is now a felony in Washington and punishable both civilly and criminally. Teammates need to keep players away from referees (physically). Again, calling the office is an angry player’s only recourse.
- We are certain that there will be some incorrect calls for you and incorrect calls against you, but all calls will stand. Players get six fouls which is considered an extra foul in case of a missed call.
- During free throws, the team on defense gets the full block. Only 2 offensive players & three defensive players can line up in the free throw lane. Other players cannot cross the three-point line until the ball hits the rim. Referees should watch player’s bodies and arms to prevent undue contact on free throw rebounds.
- Spectators are a privilege and are not covered in the team fee. They must abide by the same standards as the players.
- Two unsportsmanlike technical fouls on an individual player in 1 game may result in a 1 game suspension.
- Unsportsmanlike Conduct will result in a technical foul, an ejection, and possibly a suspension. Definition of Unsportsmanlike Conduct: To be unsportsmanlike is to act in a manner unbecoming of a fair, ethical, honorable individual. It consists of acts of disrespect such as making debasing or critical remarks about or to an official or an opponent, or vulgarity such as the use of profanity whether or not directed at someone. The penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct is a technical foul which results in two free throws plus possession unless the act is flagrant in which case the offender may be disqualified. A player, coach, substitute, or spectator shall not: disrespectfully address an official’s decision by rising from the bench or using gestures; incite undesirable crowd reactions; or enter onto the court unless by permission of an official or to attend an injured player. The referee may end the game if its nature becomes negative, angry, or violent. Referees may end the game on a team’s 2nd unsportsmanlike “T.” The following is a list of required technical fouls, ejection(s), and suspensions. The referees, by contract, agree to call these and are not personal in nature. Most ejections require the player to leave the gym.
- Excessive verbal abuse may be penalized for up to an 11-month suspension.
- Glaring at anyone is considered to be taunting and the player will be assessed a “T”. Talking to your opponent in a negative manner will be a “T”.
- Approaching a referee/walking towards a referee is an ejection; if the approach is done in a threatening manner there may be a league suspension.
- Talking to the referees in a derogatory manner before, during, and after the game is disallowed. If you have an issue with a referee, do not settle it at that time. Call the director’s voicemail at 206.632.HOOP and voice your complaint without penalty. Players have no right to settle issues immediately.
- Any player that receives 3 Technical and/or Flagrant Fouls in two games will receive an automatic one game suspension without refund.
- Any player ejected from a game twice, or that receives 4 Technical and/or Flagrant fouls within a 7-game series of games, will receive a suspension for the remainder of the season, or 4 games, whichever is greater.
- Any TEAM that receives a total of 5 Technical and/or fouls over a span of 7 games will receive a 1 game suspension for the entire TEAM without refund. PSBL reserves the right to review each technical foul received on a case by case basis.
- New– THERE IS A SEVERE PENALTY for a NO SHOW THAT COMES WITH NO NOTICE TO THE LEAGUE– We understand things happen and your team of seven players can get down to just a few players- the rule in this league is that you must try to get those 2 to 3 players to show up (even if they do not want to, because being in a league is be a part of a cooperative organization, so you show up with 2 to 3 players so the opponent gets their workout!)… so… IF you let us know immediately that you are short players there is no penalty (the league will, for sure, recruit/find fill in players for you, we have 8 methods to do this and we have staff working during league games so even if you told us this with one hour notice, we would be able to get your roster to 5 players so the opponent gets a game). This being said, there is no excuse for not texting us more than 3 hours in advance or just not showing on your part-so- if you no-show AND you give no notice to the league, the penalty would be that you will give up your next game (example: if you no-show on a Wednesday and the league was given no notice (the double whammy)- the following Wednesday 7 days later you will not play (& you will not get a makeup game)- meaning you will play one less game that season (two less games really because you no-showed by your choice and you did not give notice and received a one game penalty).
- Uniform RULES: These uniform rules are important. Teams like to play against organized teams (teams with the exact color uniforms.) Nobody wants to pay money to play against teams in four different shades of blue, or T-shirts with logos on them and non-matching undershirts. The ability to see an opponent or teammate peripherally based on solid colors helps the game (you need to see colors for effective fast breaks, long passes, and look away passes.) You should not have to look exactly at a teammate to find out what team they are on.
Undershirts must be removed unless they match in color.- The Captain must bring jerseys in a drawstring bag
- The Captain is responsible for bringing at least 2 extra jerseys each week in case a player forgets his or her jersey.
- Players are not allowed to wear bandannas, hats, or “hair-bands”: HEADBANDS are okay.
- Players are not allowed to wear plastic bands or LIVESTRONG bands around their wrists: WRISTBANDS are okay.
- Flagrant-1: This is a rule modeled after the NBA. We have chosen to use the NBA standard for this rule rather than the High School rules. The High School standards name the foul described below (a-c) as ‘intentional’. What is odd about the high school rule is that they describe the intentional foul as this league does the Flagrant -1 (below a-c,) but many of those types of fouls below are not intentional. In fact, the High School rules have a portion describing the ‘intentional foul’ as called even if it was unintentional (if it meets any a-c below.) As you can guess, in this example, players disagree when referees make the correct call of ‘intentional’. The word intentional is insulting to players, so we will rename it as the NBA names it. This type of foul will be called ‘Flagrant -1’.ABOUT THE PENALTY: A flagrant-1 will yield two shots, possession, and will be noted on the infracting player’s record (written on the foul sheet.)The Flagrant-1 definition is as follows:
An intentional foul can be called either ‘Intentional’ or flagrant-1.- An excessively hard foul
- A dangerous play or dangerous foul
- Swinging of the elbows illegally (Note: It is legal for your elbows to move with the torso. If the elbows move independently of the torso (faster than the torso,) it will be considered ‘swinging’ and this will be called FLAGRANT-1.
- Flagrant-2: Any foul meeting the Flagrant-1 definition and combined with intent. Hard fouls, dangerous plays, swinging elbows can all be done accidentally, but if they are intentional, this should be called a Flagrant-2. ‘Intentional’ is further defined as not accidental or part of the game.Penalty for the Flagrant-2 foul is an ejection.
- The Diving Rule: A loose ball is not a fumble and players are not allowed to dive through opponent’s legs. However, in this league, we do not allow you to dive at all. In this league, diving for loose balls and/or running through curtains when there might be someone on the other side is strictly prohibited resulting in a turnover called by the official (or a technical foul if deemed dangerous.) This is a recreational league and taking out an ankle or knee is a horrible price to pay for gaining possession of a basketball. The scrums you see in college or high school basketball where players dive into or underneath the legs of opponents during a loose ball will not be tolerated.Exceptions that referees are allowed to use (not required but allowed to use): Saving a ball from going out of bounds when there is no danger of diving into legs, spectators, etc. can be let go by the referee. Also, in the final 1 Minute of a close game, referees may ignore diving for balls that falls within the range of legal. Note: The rule is NO DIVING so if a referee calls a turnover, do not get upset the referee didn’t let it go.
- Game time, timeouts, running clock, TIMING ISSUES:Pre-game warm up and stretch time: Warm up by stretching and signing the foul sheet on the scorekeeper’s desk during the second half of the game previous to yours. Note that the pre-game is only 3 minutes, so right when the game ends you need to be out there shooting. Please hold the balls while a game is in progress. Also, in pre-game, get your scorekeeper ready to go.
a. The home team is the first team listed on schedule and they must bring a volunteer scorekeeper/timer.
b. Pre-game: Stay off of a damp mopped floor. If you have the first game of the day, you must stay off of a damp-mopped floor. Do not shoot around or on the floor that is being damp mopped or was just damp mopped. This is very important to your safety and this rule must be enforced by you, the players. If you see someone about to shoot around on such a floor, please warn this player for his or her own safety.
c. During Pre-game, please hold all basketballs on the sidelines while a game is in progress
d. There will be two 25-minute halves. Games are 50 minutes in length. Tournaments are 2 to 5 minutes shorter per half.
e. In the last minute scramble, a player must foul the player with the ball to get the foul called. In such circumstances, fouls that are too hard may be considered intentional fouls. If you are trying to stop the clock, a good referee should just call a normal foul, but remember ‘should’ is not always what gets called, so play it safe and foul the guy with the ball.
f. Stopped clock defined: The clock stops only during the last 2 minutes of the game if:If at the two-minute mark, a team is within 7 points or less.If at any point beyond that the margin happens to get cut down to 3, there will be stop clock play.If a lead gets up to 10 or more, the game will revert to running time for the rest of the game unless the margin shrinks to within 3 points, at which time the clock once again reverts to stop time.Restated: If the game margin is 8 points or more at the 2-minute mark, the game will be in “running time” the rest of the game, with one exception. If in “running time” the margin is cut to 3 points, the clock will then go to a permanent “stop time” to finish the game.
g. The first Overtime is 2 minutes long and stopped time. Any additional overtime will be 1 minute long. It is within the official’s discretion to call a game after the first overtime if the official deems it necessary. This will be recorded as a double win (most gyms have time constraints that we must abide by.)
h. Referee note concerning timeouts (this is new!) The timeout rules are complex and players will make mistakes if they are new to the league. Referees are not required to, but can if they would like, stop the clock to clarify whatever rule is controversial at the time. After they have explained the rule and handed the ball to the free throw shooter or out-of-bounds player, the clock resumes. Referees are encouraged to not call technical fouls with regards to timeout violations because these rules are complex.
1. Teams are allowed one timeout per half (40 seconds and no carryover.) Naturally, if the game goes into a stop time format for the final two minutes, a team can call a timeout if they have one available.
2. No additional timeouts will be awarded in overtime.
3. There are no timeouts allowed in the final 2 minutes of the first half.
4. There are no timeouts allowed in the last 2 minutes of the 2nd half if ‘running time’ exists (see stopped clock defined above.)
5. A team that is winning by more than 3 points will not be allowed to call a timeout in the second half when there are 6 minutes or less left on the game clock (a team can call a timeout at 6:01 and get their full 40 seconds but the referees should have the ball inbounds at exactly 5:21 on the clock.)
PUGET SOUND BASKETBALL POLICIES
1. Dunking is allowed only during a game and only if the court has breakaway rims. Dunking while warming up may result in a technical foul. Dunking in games is okay, but sometimes not advisable in a recreational league due to the possibility of getting undercut.
2. No jewelry allowed (including rings.) If you see that an opponent is wearing jewelry, please alert the referee.
3. No tobacco chewing, no smoking, no profanity anywhere in building and outside of most facilities.
4. League suspensions carry over to all leagues and tournaments that PugetSoundBasketball.com runs.
5. A team fight is a league suspension with no refund. Players have a responsibility to control or restrain their own teammates. The key is to step in and help end a bad situation before the league has to suspend or banish players. Your players need to control each other. The referees cannot prevent these situations as well as you could as players/teammates.
6. Players may not take advantage of a blind referee. If, for example, there is only one official, it will be considered unethical to intentionally take advantage of this ‘opportunity’. This is a peaceful and recreational league and we expect cooperation. Any team that develops a reputation for being dirty will be dealt with accordingly.
7. Substitutions must be done on a dead ball only, and by yelling ‘Sub!’ during the dead ball.
8. Players are allowed six fouls. Technical fouls are considered personal fouls. With the assessment of a sixth foul, a player has fouled out and cannot continue playing under any circumstances.
9. If your team is unable to make a game or is short of players, the team must call the director. We will not tolerate any ‘no-shows’ without notice. Bring as many players as possible! At least the opponent will get a game and we will allow you to pick up players to fill your team. There are no forfeits in this league. We will always make a game. Any game scheduled will be played even if the referees have to recruit players for the team. This “make a game,” as we call it, will count as a win or loss and will not be refunded. Games like this are assumed to happen once in a while. You must win to get the win. If necessary to make a game, the league may have a referee play.
Make a Game Situations: If your team has less than 5 players ten minutes after the start time, your team will not be entitled to a ‘make a game’. After that point, it will be too late to get a Make-a-Game because players in the gym, who could have been recruited, will already be gone.
10. If a player is ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct, that player must leave the gym on his/her own. If the player does not leave in a timely fashion, he/she may be suspended for the remainder of the season and the team may forfeit the game and face team suspensions for not enforcing the rules with their own players.
11. Conduct rules: Players not able to control their behavior will be ejected from the facility and may face further suspension from the league. This rule applies to spectators as well.
12. Children: CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 ARE NOT ALLOWED IN SEATTLE CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE GYM. NO EXCEPTIONS. Due to their short attention span, we ask that all children sit next to parents and be under their supervision at all times. This helps prevent any accidents or interference with games. If the only parent attending is playing, that parent will be responsible to have a friend supervise his/her children during the game. Due to safety concerns, children (or any other spectators) are not allowed to sit on the team bench or at the scorekeeper’s table. Referees may remove a parent from the game and require him/her to supervise unruly children. Parents will be financially responsible for any damage caused by their children.
13. Verbal threats will be taken very seriously: Any player, manager, or person connected with the team verbally threatening an official, player or spectator before, during, or after a game, will be ejected from the game and suspended from league play indefinitely.
14. Alcohol and Drug policy: No player shall appear on the court under the influence of alcohol or drugs in such a manner that they have no control of his/her faculties to the extent that there is a chance of physical injury to him/her or others. Minimum penalty: Ejection from facility and/or suspension from team’s next scheduled game and/or probation for remainder of season.
15. Lost items: Puget Sound Basketball assumes no responsibility for lost or stolen property. Feel free to call us as sometimes we do find some items (206) 632-HOOP.
16. No food or drinks are allowed in gyms or school facilities. No smoking in school facilities.
17. When adding (picking up) players to ‘make a game,’ you must get players that do not ‘tilt’ the game (this is referee/league discretion.)
18. Any player that receives 3 Technical Fouls in two games will receive an automatic one game suspension. Any player ejected from a game twice, or that receives 4 Technical fouls within a 9-game series of games, will receive a suspension for the remainder of the season, or 4 games, whichever is greater.
19. Snow cancellations: You will not be notified of any snow and/or other adverse weather conditions. On questionable days, you need to call the director’s voicemail. That voicemail number is (206)-632-HOOP; it will be updated with any cancellations by 4:15pm on a weekday and throughout the day on a Sunday.
20. Privacy Policy: PSBL will not share contact information with any players or outside agencies.
PAYMENT and REGISTRATION POLICIES
1. Teams are responsible for recruiting only recreational players and peaceful individuals. If a team cannot control an individual, the team will be penalized for bringing that player. If you pick up a player to make a game happen, you are responsible for that player.
2. At your first game, you must turn in completed liability release forms (if you did not complete one online). Captains: Keep extra release forms in case you add new team members. Remember to include email addresses on these player release forms.
3. Registration requires that a team have 2-3 contact people. ‘Contact people’ refers to someone on the team with an email address. The league will not be held responsible if a team does not receive a schedule change or an important notice if that team does not provide at least three working email contacts. Teams need to check their emails on game day. If any changes occur after 8am on a game day, we will phone you as well, but otherwise we only email (we also put it on the web site.) If the league does not have 2-3 contacts and a team does not get a schedule change notice, the league will not owe a game to that team. We cannot run these leagues at a competitive price if we do not adhere to the registration and payment rules exactly as outlined. Provide two to three email addresses.
4. A player is eligible if they have read the rules and signed the release form. After Game 5 in a league, no new player can participate if that player’s skill level is such that he is deemed a ‘ringer’. If a player is talented at more than 2 levels better than the level in which he is participating, he may be asked to leave the game by the referee or the league director. In tournaments, no new players may participate after Game 2. You cannot have someone join your team in game 3 of a tournament.
5. Limit of 9 players: Teams are limited to 9 players maximum (any more results in no flow on the court, injuries because guys are not warm coming in, and too many fouls by stiff or hyper players. Games have better flows when 6 or 7 guys compose the roster. If your team is over 30 you can have 10 players. If you have a Masters Level team (40 and up,) you can have up to 12 players on your roster. Please do not have more than 10 show up for any given game. Team captains assume responsibility and cannot bring into the league angry or violent people. The league is not responsible to filter out players that do not meet our recreational requirements. If a team brings a person into the league with an anger problem, the team is risking their own status in the league.
6. Cost: The cost for each season varies. See front page of website for exact pricing or call PSBL at 206.632.HOOP (4667). Credit card numbers are due to officially register a team. The balance is due at Game 2. Due to time constraints, the team captain will need to cover his/her players. The league cannot float any team any credit.
The league reserves the right to suspend a team’s schedule at any time if payment is lacking.
7. The League reserves the right to charge Team Captains or Individual’s Credit Cards without further notice the 2nd week of the Session if the balance is not paid in full.
8. Individuals: Individuals can be placed on a league team (7-8 players maximum per team). Payment must be made at least 7 full days in advance of that session (sooner if possible.) Players may join an additional team on a second day of their choosing and receive a $10 discount.
9. Teams that withdraw in the middle of a season may receive PSBL credit that they can add toward later seasons; however, teams must give 14-days notice. Any games left within that first 14 days will not be refunded.
10. Puget Sound Basketball League, Puget Sound Basketball Leagues Inc., Puget Sound Basketball Inc., PSBL, and PSBL Inc. have no provision for accident insurance for players or spectators, nor will any of these entities assume any responsibility for accident or injury in conjunction with the Puget Sound Basketball League managed games for officials, player and spectators. Participants in league games are required to execute a LIABILITY RELEASE that provides detail as to the risks assumed and liabilities released to allow for participation.
11. Team captains are responsible for bringing: first aid kit, cold or ice packs, athletic tape, and spare jerseys to games.
12. Captain’s Discount: Captains that register more than one team during the same session are entitled to a $50 discount. This discount will only apply as long as payment is received in full for both teams the first week of the session.
13. “Flake Out” Fee: PSBL will charge a $140 “flake out” fee for any team that quits the league mid session or within 24 hours of their first game.
14. Fees/Credits for adding a PSBL “Individual Player” to a “Team”: “Teams” that request and receive players from PSBL’s “Individual program” will subtract the “Individual” players league fees less $15 for the first session “trial period”. If PSBL adds 2 players subtract $25 from the individuals league fess, and 3 players subtract $35. Why the charge?: PSBL is taking on the responsibility of recruiting and contacting the player, billing the player, and REMOVING the player. (severing the relationship with the team if the player is not a good fit after the initial session) Additionally, PSBL will only add an “Individual” player to a team if it consists of 7 players or less. PSBL will not allow an “Individual” to be the 9th player on a “Team”. Note: These fees are for an entire session. Teams that request players mid-session will have a pro-rated fee structure.
Example: Team A adds 1 PSBL Individual player. Individual player fees are $75. Teams fees are $500. Team A receives $60 towards their league fees.
15. “Individual” Players vs. a “Team”: A “Team” is only allowed to request up to 2-3 “Individuals”. A “Team” that requests more that 2-3 “Individuals” is NOT considered a “Team”, but a group of “Individuals” that want to play together. PSBL can always put “Individuals” on the same team, but each “Individual” will be charged PSBL’s normal “Individual” fees.
16. Teams adding an “Individual Player” after the 1 session “trial period”/ Mutual acceptance: Teams that want to keep the PSBL placed “Individual player” after 1 session will work directly with the individual as they are now officially part of the “Team” as long as there is a mutual acceptance by the “Team” and the “Individual”. At this time the captain becomes responsible for 100% the players payment and the entire portion will go towards the “Teams” league fees.
Note: The Individual has the right to reject playing for the “Team” it was placed on in the “2nd session/post trial period” whereas the “Individual” would go back into the PSBL “Individual” pool of players. PSBL will act as the “go-between” between the “Team” and the “Individual” in these cases
STANDARD HIGH SCHOOL RULES: THINGS PUGET SOUND BASKETBALL EMPHASIZES
1. This league is based on National Federation of High Schools rules
2. On screens and picks: A player must go around. Running through a pick is a foul.
3. There are 3 criteria you must meet to get a foul:
a. Illegal position
b. Contact
c. Disadvantage: Disadvantage is in the rules. The above mentioned illegal position and contact has to create a disadvantage in order for a foul to be called. Many players and even referees do not know that this is required. Some referees describe such a no-call as ‘letting them play through,’ but that would be an incorrect description. Not calling illegal position and contact as a foul if it does notaffect the play is very solid officiating. It is not ‘letting them play,’ but rather it is a correct no-call.
4. Legal position defined: Keeping your shoulders square with your opponent (facing your opponent) is good defensive position if you obtained the spot on the floor before your opponent’s final step/move to that spot. RESTATED: If you are square with your opponent before his final step or move to the hoop, and there is contact, it can be legal contact. TEST: You can be square and set before the contact is made, but you can be deemed to have committed the foul…how? ANSWER: The defensive player must be square (in front of) his/her opponent before the offensive player’s final step to their move or shot. Restated: Being set is not the only key, the bigger key to legal defense is obtaining the spot on the floor before your opponent’s final step/commitment to that spot on the floor.
5. Legal position defined in regards to the ‘rule of verticality’: A defensive player is entitled to the area directly above himself if he got to that space on the floor before the offensive player’s final step/move towards that space. If a defensive player leans or jumps into an offensive player’s legally obtained area or path, he is in an illegal defensive position, and with the combination of contact and disadvantage, the defender may be called for a foul. Conversely, good defensive position should be rewarded. If a defender jumps to block a shot and the defender lands pretty close to where he/she left the floor, this may prove that he/she did indeed go straight up. Assuming the defender in this case was also in front and on time, this defender might get the ‘no call’ on all contact because he/she owns everything to the ceiling and behind themselves.
6. Legal position defined in regards to moving backwards: A defensive player who got there first is entitled to the area directly behind them and is allowed to back-peddle. The contact that occurs with a legally set defender can be a no-call or charge. The contact with a back-peddling (legally positioned) player can also be a no-call or charge, but it is typically just a no-call.
7. Note for offensive players about drawing fouls: An offensive player must try to avoid a defensive player who has obtained good legal position. An offensive player who leans or jumps into a defensive player with legal guarding position will result in at least a ‘no-call’ and perhaps an offensive foul.
If an offensive player jumps into a player who was late getting there, or in an illegal position, the call can be called either way. The best call is a no-call because the offensive player is not necessarily initiating his move to score, but rather initiating contact hoping to get fouled.
a. If an offensive player sees a player who is going to be late getting position or in an illegal position, the offensive player may initiate the offensive move in that defender’s path and the offensive player can get the foul called. The difference in this example (b) is that the offensive player is initiating his move to score, not just trying to get fouled (if the offensive player is smart enough to see bad defense and time his shot or move accordingly, referees should not take this away from the offensive player. Karl Malone used to do this all the time and people thought he was getting favoritism, but in reality he was catching slow, out of shape power forwards a step behind and he used to initiate his move to score based on seeing them a step behind. A smart defender will adjust to this type of player by being in front BEFORE that player’s final step is made on the shot or drive.
8. The hand is considered part of the ball when connected to the ball.
9. To get over the back calls you must have obtained position and be fouled. It is legal to reach cleanly over a player’s back, however, it is very difficult to reach over the back without bumping the interior rebounder’s lumbar region of his/her back. The best referees will watch for these ‘body’ fouls. Players can fool weaker referees as they disguise this ‘walking/pressuring into the back’ by holding their arms straight up (like a magician distracting the crowd) and claiming they went straight up.
DIVISION CHAMPIONS
Each Session will have Division Champions and a Best of the Best Tournament.
To qualify as a Division Champion:
Teams must go 9-0 or 8-1 through their first 8 games.
At that point, your team’s last game becomes a “Championship Game.”
If your team wins the last game, then you qualify for Championship T-Shirts.
A team has to win their last game to be Division Champions.
Teams should expect to play other teams in the division above them and the division below them for scheduling purposes.
“Best of the Best” Tournament/League Champions:
Division 1 – Top 8 Teams:
The top eight Men’s teams in the League (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) play in PugetSound Basketball’s “Best of the Best” Tournament every Session (6 times a year.)
Teams are selected by PSBL’s Directors and Officials.
The tournament is three games where Rounds 1 and 2 are double headers.
The two teams that win both games (Rounds 1 and 2) play in a FREE “League Championship Game.”
This is the only way for teams competing in the Division 1 League to be champions. Win/Loss records are not the sole consideration for League champions.
HOOPS ON DEMAND (HoD) – Player Policy
Player Skill Level Requirement: PSBL reserves the right to not allow players to participate in any game if the players skill level is not appropriate for the game they sign up for. In these situations the player is entitled to a FULL REFUND.
HOOPS ON DEMAND (HoD) CANCELLATION POLICY
For Lunch Time Hoops, you have until 10am on the day of the game to email ([email protected]) and text (206.354.1698) PSBL to receive a refund
For Sat Morn Hoops, you have until 4pm on Friday go into your Locker Room and refund the game online.
For any Hoops on Demand League game you have until 12 noon to email ([email protected]) and text (206.354.1698) on the day of the game to receive a refund
HOOPS ON DEMAND (HoD) No SHOW /FLAKE OUT POLICY
For 630am or 7am games, or the 1st game of a shift at a gym, PSBL reserves the right to charge an additional “Flake Fee” of up to $10 if a person flakes out and does not show up. Why the additional fee? Teammates are relying on other teammates to show up to make a 5 on 5 game. When players do not show up and it’s the 1st game in a gym it could lead to the game not being played because there are not enough players to “make” a 5 on 5 game. This policy was created by the 630/ 7am “regular” players.
GYM RENTAL REFUND POLICY:
1. Cancellations made within 7 days of rental will result in NO REFUND.
2. Cancellations made more than 7 days in advance of rental will result in a future rental credit. No cash refunds.
Bay Area high school baseball: All-league teams
These teams were chosen by each league
Bay Counties Conference | East Division
MVP: Matt Dzoan, Redwood Christian. Most outstanding pitcher: Bryan Tierney, Athenian. First team: Michael Shih, St. Joseph Notre Dame; Davis McGanney, Bentley; Joe Carlton, Redwood Christian; Aaron Garcia, St. Joseph Notre Dame; Ryan Chang, College Prep; Patrick Greenfield, Bentley; Rieth Collard, Head Royce; Davis Stewart, St. Joseph Notre Dame; Michael Robinson, Head Royce; Cruz Costa, Redwood Christian; Ethan King, Redwood Christian; AJ Ramsey, St. Joseph Notre Dame; Tomas Dumont, St. Joseph Notre Dame; Hudson Hennigh, St. Joseph Notre Dame. The complete team here.
Bay Counties League
MVP: Bubba Gomez, Fremont Christian; John Sanguinetti, Fremont Christian; Tyler Woodman, Fremont Christian; Alex Wiley, Fremont Christian; Emilio Martin, Fremont Christian; Westin Coffey, Fremont Christian; Javier Rivera, Making Waves Academy; Bryan Diaz, Making Waves Academy; Jaden Reader, Calif. School for the Deaf; Luke Bella, Calif. School for the Deaf; Phillip Hall, Oakland Military Institute. The complete team here.
All-Bay Area News Group team — chosen by our staff — can be found here.
Bay Valley
MVP: Ryan Jackson, Heritage. First team: Ryan Jackson, Heritage; Cristian Machado, Heritage; Reece Dexter, Heritage; Brian McBroom, Freedom; Chaz Myers, Heritage; Ryan Troye, Heritage; Jacob Bartlett, Freedom; Jordan Aguallo, Antioch; Bryce Arana, Heritage; Brendan Bell, Liberty; Anthony DeVera, Freedom; Casey Vogan, Liberty; Anthony Manuel, Deer Valley. The complete team here.
Blossom Valley | Mt. Hamilton Division
MVP: OF Robbie Hamchuk, Leigh. Seniors of the year: P/IF Trevor Johannes, Leland; P/IF Jacob Dressler, Branham. Junior of the year. P/OF Connor Hennings, Live Oak. Sophomore of the year: IF Carson Ledesma, Branham, Pitcher of the year: Mitchell Dowd, Leigh. First team: P Max Orkin, Branham; P/IF Giancarlo Lonardo, Leigh; P/OF Calvin Hsiao. Leland; P/OF Carson Yates, Leland; P/IF Michael Garcia, Leland; IF Jonathan Singleton, Live Oak; P/IF Ian Torpey, Pioneer; P Jalen Jagdeo, Santa Teresa; Kirk Vasquez, Westmont; A.J. Santamaria, Willow Glen; P/IF Arthur Jones, Willow Glen; OF Isaac Munoz, Willow Glen. The complete team here.
Blossom Valley | Santa Teresa Division
MVP: C Cooper Callison, Sobrato. Senior of the year: P Evan Meier, Oak Grove. Junior of the year: 3B Julian Alejo, Silver Creek. Sophomore of the year: 1B William Conn, Sobrato. Freshman of the year: OF Shane Callison, Sobrato. Pitcher of the year: Justin Rashid, Sobrato. First team: 3B Damien Lopez, Lincoln; 1B Kam Dulay, Prospect; 3B Eddie Leglu, Silver Creek; 2B Bobby Ruiz, Gunderson; 2B Nick Galbo, Piedmont Hills; P Ryan Garvey, Piedmont Hills; P Josh Balderas, Sobrato; OF Camden Redfield, Sobrato; 2B Nicholas Ketner, Sobrato; 2B Junior Lucero, Oak Grove; SS Jacob Ngo, Oak Grove. The complete team here
Blossom Valley | West Valley Division
MVP: P/1B Steve Soto Jr., Mt. Pleasant. Senior of the year: P/1B/SS Moses Pena, San Jose. Junior of the year: C Jose Garcia, Overfelt. Sophomore of the year: P/CF Fernando Bravo, Mt. Pleasant. Freshman of the year: P/2B/OF Emmit Hugill, Del Mar. Pitcher of the year: Jesus Quiroz, Overfelt. First team: P/SS Amays Lamar, Evergreen Valley; P/C/SS Ryan Khiew, Evergreen Valley; P Chris Streit, Evergreen Valley; SS Carlos Pineda, Mt. Pleasant; P/2B Cameron Rattu, Mt. Pleasant; CF Owen Hugill, Del Mar; 3B Michael Bird, Del Mar; P/2B Adolfo Garcia, Overfelt; P/SS Michael Funes, San Jose; C/OF Anthony Perez, Andrew Hill; P/CF; Leo Arranaga, James Lick. The complete team here
Diablo | Foothill Division
MVP: Nick Kresnak, Acalanes; MVP Pitcher: Joey Soberon, Clayton Valley; First team: Logan Hurd, Acalanes; Eddie Curley, Clayton Valley; Cooper Gardner, Clayton Valley; Davis Diaz, Acalanes; Joe Hollerbach, Miramonte; Jack Murphy, Clayton Valley; Joe Aivazian, College Park; Luke Saunders, Northgate; Nicolas Bamont, Acalanes; Primo Rodriguez; College Park; Charlie Mollahan, Miramonte; Cooper Birdwell, Northgate. The complete team here.
Diablo | Valley Division
MVP: Jack McCullar, Las Lomas; MVP Pitchers: Brody Eglite, Alhambra; Andrew Meyer, Berean Christian. First team: Emmett Lutz, Ygnacio Valley; Dillon Elliott , Alhambra; Zakai Avidor, Las Lomas; Sergio Vazquez, Ygnacio Valley; Lucas Ringenberg, Alhambra; Josh Ugot, Alhambra; Payton de Bonneville, Alhambra; Cole Duey, Berean Christian; Jordan Alexander, Berean Christian; Jonathan Miller, Concord; Ryan Murphy, Concord; Aaron Winer, Las Lomas; Brad Barker, Las Lomas; Matt Hershey, Las Lomas. The complete team here.
East Bay
MVP: Kyle Harrison, De La Salle. First team: P Kyle Harrison, De La Salle; P Josh White, Monte Vista; 1B Grant Manning, Dublin; C Matt Sugden, Foothill; IF Jack Grant, San Ramon Valley; IF Vince Bianchina, De La Salle; IF Trevor Jackson, Amador Valley; OF Luke Foscalina, Livermore; OF Michael O’Hara, San Ramon Valley; OF Jake Brandel, Monte Vista; OF Ryan Stemplinger, Foothill; DH Charles McAdoo, De La Salle; UT Chris Santiago, De La Salle. The complete team here.
Mission Valley
MVP: Dalton Bowling, Kennedy. First team: C Niko Lombardi, Washington; P Andre Joly, Newark Memorial; P Brandon Louie, Washington; IF Aaron Pierre, American; IF Dalton Bowling, Kennedy; IF Robert Ellwanger, Newark Memorial; IF Stevie Murata, Washington; OF Austin Chen, Mission San Jose; Marcus Alonso, Newark Memorial; Damian Stone, Washington; UT Brandon Sass, American; DH Gabriel Hursh, James Logan; Relief P Kyle Bratset, Washington.
Oakland
MVP: Adam Crampton, Oakland Tech. First team: Armando Arvizu, Kipp King; Rodolfo Arvizu, Kipp King; Myles Davis, Skyline; Blaine French, Oakland Tech; Dylan Hughes, Oakland Tech; Selin Jones, Oakland; Ian Prchlik, Skyline; Rodney Robinson, Castlemont; Elon Simon Skyline. The complete team here.
Peninsula | Bay Division
Player of the year: Justin Nam, Menlo School. Pitcher of the year: Jason Korjeff, Carlmont. First team: P Jeffrey Taylor, The King’s Academy; P Julien Hernandez, Menlo School; IF Ryan Mo, Sacred Heart Prep; If Patrick Volkman, Capuchino; IF Will Garratt, Hillsdale; IF Emilio Vindiola, The King’s Academy; OF Cruise Thompson, Capuchino; OF Jeremy Chong, Hillsdale; OF Max Chou, Menlo School; C Jeremy Keller, Terra Nova; DH Tyler DeSmidt, Carlmont; UT Ronan Donnelly, Sacred Heart Prep. The complete team here.
Peninsula | Ocean Division
Player of the year: Joseph King, Woodside. Pitcher of the year: Conor Hourigan, Aragon. First team: Joseph King, Woodside; P Conor Hourigan, Aragon; P Max Moreno, Woodside; P Daniel Guevara, Half Moon Bay; IF Levi Stubbles, El Camino; If Jack Mettam, Half Moon Bay; IF Owen Crevelt, Woodside; IF Ben Singler, Sequoia; OF Tommy Ozawa, San Mateo; OF Camron Grant, Aragon; C JP Boyle, Sequoia; UT Jake Albro, Menlo-Atherton; DH Kyle Hartmanis, Menlo-Atherton. The complete team here.
Peninsula | Lake Division
Player of the year: Calvin Louie, Jefferson. Pitcher of the year: Luke Mar, Jefferson. First team: P Luke Mar, Jefferson; P Erik Leonor, South San Francisco; P Andrew Chavez, Harker; IF Peter Dicioccio, Crystal Springs Uplands; IF George Guzman, South San Francisco; IF Nick Coulter, Harker; IF Levi Sutton, Harker; IF Kyle Young, Westmoor; OF Calvin Louie, Jefferson; OF Max Lee, Harker; OF Zach Hoffman, Harker; OF Frank House, South San Francisco; UT David Rebolini, Jefferson; UT Evan Schieber, Crystal Springs Uplands; C Joaquin Alvarez, Jefferson. The complete team here.
Santa Clara | De Anza Division
MVP: Josh Kasevich, Palo Alto. First team: P Matt Jacobs, Saratoga; P Trevor Allen, Los Gatos; P Nick Malvini, Wilcox; IF/P Zander Darby, Palo Alto; IF Tristan Silveira, Mountain View; IF Tommy Troy, Los Gatos; IF/C Aaron Parker, Los Altos; IF/P Juan Angulo, Los Altos; IF Alex Adame, Wilcox; IF/P Paul M Rosa, Wilcox; IF Asahi Sato, Wilcox; OF Aran Cox, Mountain View; OF Ben Parker, Los Altos; OF Curran Ozawa-Burns, Homestead; OF Ryan Yi, Homestead; IF/C Aidan Berger, Palo Alto; UT Brennan King, Los Gatos; UT/P Ryan Baum, Los Altos; OF Kyle Mostofizadeh, Palo Alto.
Santa Clara | El Camino Division
MVP: Max Gonzales, Milpitas. First team: Nate Reyes, Milpitas; JJ Alegria, Milpitas; Ryan Oeschger, Santa Clara; Zach Penrod, Santa Clara; Noah Debowski, Santa Clara; Alijah Amaya, Santa Clara; Ryan So, Gunn; Nathan Nakamitsu, Gunn; Michael Panitchpakdi, Gunn; Aidan Everett, Gunn; Cole Mantovani, Gunn; Shree Phadke, Lynbrook; Ryan Hada, Monta Vista; Jake Kokeny, Monta Vista; Dylan Gray, Fremont.
West Alameda | Foothill Division
Player of the year: Michael Dixon, Berkeley. First team: IF Noah Amaral, Arroyo; OF Michael Dixon, Berkeley; IF Danny Garcia, San Leandro; IF Matthias Haas, Bishop O’Dowd; P Justin Hernandez, Castro Valley; P Ole Iversen, Berkeley; 1B Max Nyrop, Alameda; OF KW Quilici, Alameda; C Liam Rizzo, Bishop O’Dowd; P Wyatt Thompson, Bishop O’Dowd; P Antoine Valerio, San Leandro; P Cameron Weatherford, Arroyo. The complete team here.
West Alameda | Shoreline Division
Player of the year: P Cooper Vasquez, Encinal. First team: IF Jon Atases; Encinal; OF Tristan Good, Encinal; IF Jaylen Hadley, Mt. Eden; IF Alzillion Hamilton, Hayward; IF Owen Levinson, Piedmont; IF Diego Munoz, Hayward; IF Alex Olaes, Encinal; OF Joe Sassi, Piedmont; OF Trent Settlemier, Piedmont; OF Kyle Spanier, Piedmont; C Logan Vanhille, San Lorenzo; P Cooper Vasquez, Encinal. The complete team here.
West Catholic
Player of the year: Steven Zobac, Valley Christian; Pitcher of the year: Joey Schott, St. Francis. First team: P William Kempner, Valley Christian; P Dominic Quinones, Mitty; P Jonathan Cymrot, Valley Christian; P Andrew DelBiaggio, Bellarmine; C Jason Siri, Valley Christian; IF Trevor Haskins, Valley Christian; IF Connor Leaverton, Mitty; IF Jack McGrew, Valley Christian; IF Joe Yorke, Mitty; OF Eddie Park, Valley Christian; OF Jeremy Villar, Serra; OF Reymello Murphy, Mitty; OF Stephen Blecha, Riordan; DH Nick Yorke, Mitty; UT Izeyas Galindo, St. Francis. The complete team here.
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED
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Volleyball – Sport Home: Madison Sports and Social Club
We run outdoor sand leagues in the Spring and Summer and indoor leagues in the Fall and Winter. Spring season usually starts mid-May and runs through mid-July, and Summer starts in mid-July. Fall Indoor leagues typically start at the end of October, with the first session finishing up in mid-January and the second beginning in January and ending in Mid-March. Depending on facility scheduling, there may be another session from mid-March to mid-May.
Basic Info
Some league information appears on this page. More is found in our Frequently Asked Questions and the rulebooks linked in the grey menu bar toward the top of the page. General club policies can be found at the bottom of this page in the Info & Help section.
Scheduling
Since it is asked all the time: Schedules are posted a few days after registration closes. If you signed up for Tuesday nights, your team plays on Tuesdays nights.
Format
- Teams are co-ed and consist of six players on the court – at least two must be female
- Registration fees are based on 8 players per team and include eight shirts. Extra shirts are available at an additional cost
- Shirts, equipment, and referees are provided by MSSC
- Matches consist of three sets played to 21 points and use rally scoring
- Download the rulebooks linked in the grey bar toward the top of the page for full details on formats and rules
League Capacity
All leagues have a capacity and many sell out. Capacity for our outdoor sand leagues tends to be higher than our indoor leagues, but both usually have nights that sell out. Do not wait to sign up if you want to play.
Divisions
Teams self-select their division during registration, subject to MSSC approval. Not all leagues will have three divisions, depending on space available and the mix of teams who sign up. Our indoor leagues tend to be at a higher level of play than our sand leagues, and we are not always able to segement indoor leagues into more than one division when there are space limitations. This is the best way we can define our divisions:
- Lower: Teams with little-to-no playing experience. They don’t pass well (or even understand what a pass is) and do not utilize the bump, set, spike technique on each play. Most players serve underhand and teams are generally called for a fair number illegal hits during the course of a match. Most players on the team cannot spike well, if at all
- Intermediate: Teams who have some volleyball experience, but generally do not have any players who played in high school or college. They understand the basics of the game and fall somewhere between Lower and Upper. When only Lower and Upper divisions are offered, Intermediate teams should probably register for Upper
- Upper: This is MSSC’s highest level of play, but is probably not considered “Power” (for those who understand the term). Many players on the team played in high school or otherwise have a fair amount of organized playing experience. They understand the bump, set, spike technique and try to employ it whenever possible. Most players serve overhand and can spike fairly well if they are tall enough
Overall, our leagues tend to be at a lower level of competition than others out there. Please sign up for a higher division whenever possible, as teams who actually belong in Lower do not enjoy getting destroyed by teams who are much better than them. MSSC reserves the right to move teams if we know how good they are and believe they are in the wrong division. There is no guarantee we will be able to segment any given league into separate divisions. All teams may be placed in one division, or at least fewer than originally offered.
Individual registration details: Individuals may sign up and we will place you if we can. No payment is required at sign up; we will contact you if we have a spot for you and place you when payment is received
Do not register for multiple nights if you are not able to play on multiple nights. We count on all free agents being available for any and all nights for which they register. If you are able to play on multiple nights but only want to play one, register for the night you prefer and indicate in the comments section that you would be able to play on others.
Dates and Locations
- 2021 Spring and Summer leagues will be held at Olbrich Park on Atwood Ave
- Summer league start dates are approximate. Summer starts the week after Spring ends, which could be earlier or later than the listed start date
Prizes and Other Benefits
- Champions t-shirts will be awarded to the winners of the Upper division (or any league with only one division)
- Some leagues may have sponsor bars that provide drink specials to teams each week. These details will be communicated to those leagues
For complete details, please download the Rulebook linked in the grey bar at the top of this page. When you’re ready to sign up, click the blue “Team” or “Individual” button below to register. Click the grey “League Details” button for the full details on dates, start times, locations, etc.
Questions? Check out our FAQ or Contact Us.
90,000 Secondary education in the United States | Encyclopedia USA
American students
Secondary education is compulsory in the United States. More than eighty percent have completed secondary education
the adult population of the United States.
Education in the United States is not regulated at the state level. Government
The United States can influence education issues only indirectly, through recommendations and funding of certain
educational programs.
Most children in the United States (about 87%) receive secondary education in free public schools
( public school ), although there are also private schools ( private school ), in which about 10% study
American schoolchildren.
Almost all private schools in the United States are run by some kind of religious organization, such as Catholic schools.
As a rule, private schools provide a higher level of education than public ones. In the USA there is
also several specialized private schools for gifted children.
About three percent of students study at home. The main reasons why children in the United States receive a “home” secondary
education, not school – these are religious considerations, any special (physical or mental) needs
the child, dissatisfaction with academic programs and parental concerns about possible adverse environment
in an educational institution.Laws in different states of the United States apply differently to domestic
education. In some states, parents who want to self-educate their child are even required to
requirements for a certain level of education. At the same time, despite numerous disputes over the legality of domestic
education, its legitimacy was confirmed by the decision of the US Supreme Court.
New York Catholic School Students
Public Schools in the USA
School Districts in USA
School Bus
Public schools in nearly all states of the United States (except Maryland) are operated by
school districts ( school districts ), legally separate organizations created by the state government or
local authorities.Geographically, the boundaries of school districts coincide, as a rule, with the boundaries of administrative districts
(counties) or cities. There are more than fourteen thousand school districts in the United States.
The school district is an independent local government that is funded by local taxes and,
in turn, provides funding for public schools.
The school district defines mandatory curricula and standards for level verification for all of its member schools.
knowledge of schoolchildren.
School districts are administered by the school board (board of trustees, board of education, school
committee). The school board is elected by a vote of the residents of the district.
School boards govern all three levels of public schools in the United States: elementary school ( elementary school ),
secondary school ( middle school ) and high school ( high school ).
Primary School in the USA
Elementary School in Georgia
Elementary School ( elementary school ) in the United States is the first stage of compulsory secondary education.
Depending on the rules of the state, children begin primary school at age 5-6 and complete
her at 10-11 years old.
As a rule, the “zero” grade of primary school is called in the USA Kindergarten , which is literally translated from German
means “kindergarten”. Primary school usually ends in fifth grade.
In elementary school, children are taught to read, write, and count. Then they study spelling, the basics of grammar, the beginning of algebra.
In addition, primary school usually has physical education, visual arts, science and others lessons.
There are usually twenty to thirty students in an elementary school class, with whom classes in almost all subjects (except
physical education, drawing, etc.) is conducted by one teacher.
High School in the USA
Pennsylvania High School Band
High School ( middle school ) in the United States is the second stage of schooling.
As a rule, this is the sixth to eighth grades, in which children from 11-12 to 13-14 years old study.
Unlike the elementary school, the secondary school has its own teacher for each of the subjects, and the students have
a certain freedom of choice of the subjects studied.
Mathematics, English, natural sciences (physics, chemistry, biology, geology,
astronomy – all of them in US schools are often combined into one subject, called science ), history,
physical Culture.
As additional, you can choose a foreign language, music, drawing or any of many others
items.
US High School
Athletics competition between schoolchildren in Florida
The final stage of secondary education in the United States is high school (senior) school
( high school ).
Usually high school is the ninth to twelfth grades, in which children study from 14-15 to
17-18 years old.
In higher education, students are given a very large freedom in the choice of the subjects studied. School rules always
obligatory groups of subjects and the duration of their study are discussed. But within this group, the student himself can
choose a more interesting direction for him.
For example, it is generally compulsory for high school to study for at least two years
mathematics, four years of English, two years of science, three years of social studies, one year
sports activities and so on.
But a group of mathematical subjects may include courses in geometry, algebra, trigonometry, the beginnings of analysis,
statistics and other branches of mathematics. Social Science Group – US History, World History, Political Science,
psychology, sociology etc . In addition, there are beginner and more advanced courses in almost every subject.
(as well as the so-called Advanced Placement, AP , “advanced”).
In addition, there are a lot of optional, optional subjects: music, additional courses of foreign
languages, the basics of a healthy lifestyle, the basics of doing business and others.And again – a group of musical objects
may include piano lessons, jazz, symphony orchestra, choir and others.
Among all these groups, each student independently chooses the most interesting subjects for him, taking into account
mandatory requirements, of course.
Such a system leads to the fact that in American schools there are no classes in the usual concept – that is, groups
students constantly studying different subjects in the same composition. American schoolboy at each lesson
gets surrounded by other children, depending on the objects he himself chooses.
There are no physical education classes in higher schools in the United States, here students are engaged in any specific sport:
basketball, athletics, swimming, football, etc. At the same time, it is absolutely normal to engage in
one kind of sport, and in the second – another (often, even in school programs, sports are divided into “autumn”, for
the first semester, and “spring” – for the second). A lot of attention is paid to sports in American schools.
As in US colleges, there are informal but very widely used names for
schoolchildren of a particular year of study.Students in high school first year (ninth grade) bear the nickname
freshmens , second year (tenth grade) – sophomores , third year (eleventh grade) –
juniors and the fourth, final year of study (twelfth grade) – seniors .
While still in high school, students take tests for admission to universities or colleges (usually
SAT or ACT ). By the time they finish school, many children no longer only know if they have entered
the chosen university, but also whether they can count on this or that scholarship.
Colorado High School Graduates
Learn more about education in the USA:
90,000 the most detailed guide for parents
This is a very important article for parents, which tells in as much detail as possible about all the nuances of admission to high schools in England. Save it in a secluded place so that you do not look later in Google, where it was all collected in one place.
There is a lot of useful information about all types of schools (private, grammar, etc.), advice on how to make the right choice and where to start admission, as well as insider life hacks – for example, about getting bursary.About the main focus is on admission to selective academically strong schools.
Article written by Anastasia Emelyanova, Commercial Director of Science for Children (London), educational consultant in the United Kingdom, mother of a 12-year-old daughter.
Part I: Selection
At one fine moment (or not very wonderful – it depends on how you look at it), each parent is faced with a difficult question – where to send a child to study further, how to choose a secondary school (secondary or senior school).
This is a non-trivial question with any initial data for any parent, and if he himself grew up and studied in another country, then the question turns into a multi-level quest and at the same time a puzzle of 1000 elements.
After going through all these tests and getting the desired result, it is simply a sin not to share the experience. Here, in fact, this experience will be described in the article.
Approach to school selection
People from the post-Soviet space have a tendency towards a fairly linear assessment of schools – good or bad, prestigious or “regional”, strong or weak.Well, also mathematical or linguistic. And that’s all, in general. In England, things are a little different. Schools are very different, with a different approach to the educational process, different goals and objectives, different principles, a different atmosphere, and so on. Likewise, parents have very different needs, preferences and expectations. Not everyone wants to send their children to the most academically strong school with the highest exam scores and the highest admission rates to prestigious universities. For some, it is important that the child has more free time for classes outside of school, someone is afraid of unnecessary stress and pressure, someone wants his child to spend more time outdoors, and so on.
Therefore, the concept of “good school” is much more vague here, individually colored and ambiguous. On the one hand, this complicates the task, like any situation of free choice, but on the other hand, it makes it possible to find an option that suits your child.
Main focus of article
Each parent, of course, decides for himself where his child will study best. And the choice depends on a lot of factors. The main thing here is not to forget about the desires and inclinations of the child himself.
In addition, we live in a rapidly changing world, and the value of classical academic education is constantly being questioned. The Internet is boiling with articles about what qualities and skills will be in demand at the time our children grow up. Is it worth spending precious childhood on mastering Newton’s laws and Latin if quantum physics, YouTube and creativity rule. But in this article we will still focus on the top academic schools in England. Following the principle that we are not given to guess how it will be there in the future, the mechanisms of future learning have not yet been formed or even formulated, and children need to be taught right now, and we have to choose from the options offered.
This article will talk about the main types of schools, how the system as a whole works, but the main focus is on admission to selective academically strong schools. It will talk in detail about the principles of choosing a school, about preparation, exams, requirements, about what to prepare for and what to expect.
Who are the top academic schools for?
Parents often ask themselves the question – how to assess the capabilities of their child? What do you need to demonstrate in exams? Are only brilliant children accepted in top schools?
Experience shows that top schools are not at all for brilliant children, but for:
- sensible
- trained
- workable and, most importantly,
- interested
If a good education is valued in your family, if a child is comprehensively developed, curious, reads a lot, loves to study and is ready to withstand the load, then you should not be scared, but try to prepare him for entering a top school.
What types of secondary schools are there in England?
Schools can be divided into two main types – private and public. This is an obvious fact, known to everyone living in this country. But perhaps not everyone knows that, despite the fact that only 7% of school-age children study in private schools, according to various sources, from 40% to 73% of Oxbridge students (the combined name of the most prestigious universities in the UK, Oxford and Cambridge) go there from private schools.
(You can read more about the types of secondary schools here: Grammar, private, public or independent? What are the schools in England and how they differ )
Of course, private school is not the only way to a good education and success in life. But statistics are stubborn things and should be taken into account.
Although not all private schools provide a strong academic education and can boast of high final exam results and the admission of their graduates to Oxbridge.There are many private schools with completely different goals and objectives and with completely different outcomes. While there are very strong public schools that will give odds to many private ones.
Public Schools
If we evaluate primarily the level of academic preparation and the composition of children, then we can distinguish two main types of public schools – selective and non-selective. Simply put, those who are enrolled according to the results of exams, and those where exams do not need to be taken.
Traditionally, selective schools are called grammar schools, and non-selective comprehensive schools.
Comprehensive schools
No entrance exams are required to enter these schools. Each school has its own catchment area (the area from which children are admitted to school) and in order to have a chance to get to this school, you need to live in this catchment area. At the beginning of the school year, when the child is in 6th grade, you need to fill out an application on the website of your municipality (council), indicate the schools you want in descending order of attractiveness and wait for March 1 – National Offer Day, when there is a “distribution of places in schools” countrywide.Your child’s success in primary school is not considered in the allocation of places and only administrative factors are taken into account – the number of places in the school, the number of applications submitted and the proximity of your home to the school.
Comprehensive schools are of course also very different. It all depends on the district, the principal, the composition of the teachers and various other factors, but in general, the average results of comprehensive schools are lower than at grammar schools.
Grammar schools
To enter grammar schools, you need to pass entrance exams, the so-called 11+, and pass the competition.Traditionally, in such schools there is no binding to the catchment area, and no one will check where you live. We will talk in detail below about exams, how to prepare for them and what to expect.
The advantages of grammar schools are a stronger program, higher requirements, better teaching staff, greater opportunities for in-depth study of a number of subjects, a large set of foreign languages, compulsory study of Latin, better quality scientific laboratories and, of course, a stronger student body.
Comprehensive schools with partial selection
Some strong comprehensive schools, in addition to the main stream of children from the catchment area, recruit a certain number of students based on exam results. Often these are academic exams in English and Mathematics, which are conducted on the same principle as in grammar schools. Sometimes these are exams in music or other subjects. There may be no catchment area for children applying for exam results, or it may be much wider than for the main stream.Admission conditions can vary greatly, and all the details must be clarified directly with each school. Usually all the information is on the site.
Often in such schools, children selected on the basis of examinations are engaged in a special program in some subjects or attend additional classes.
Private schools
Here it is very important to avoid one common misconception: for my money, I am guaranteed to get the product I want, it is also a good product.Moreover, there are actually two misconceptions in this installation, not one:
- Money does not always guarantee quality. Especially what exactly do you mean by quality. And immediately smoothly to the second point:
- Good school is a very vague concept and depends on what you personally put into it.
In short, private schools in England are very different. And not just on the one-dimensional scale “better or worse”, but according to their goals and objectives, according to the target audience, according to the approach to education and the atmosphere at school.
Despite the fact that a year of study at a private high school in England costs an average of 15 to 30 thousand pounds, not all schools position themselves as “schools for the rich.” There are those who prioritize the intelligence, creativity, dedication and commitment of the child. Such schools are interested in talented children and are ready to provide some of them with significant discounts on education. But we will talk about this in detail a little later. And there are schools whose purpose is to raise healthy, physically well-developed children who know how to behave in society, who have already prepared the ground for the further existence of several generations of ancestors.From such schools, children usually do not go to Oxbridge, because everything is fine with them.
Despite the fact that a year of study at a private high school in England costs an average of 15 to 30 thousand pounds, not all schools position themselves as “schools for the rich.” There are those who prioritize the intelligence, creativity, dedication and commitment of the child.
So, if a strong academic preparation, high exam results and admission to a top university are important for you, do not rush to flatter yourself with a prestigious entourage, well-mannered students, an old building and the number 1597 next to a beautiful school emblem.It doesn’t mean anything yet.
Private schools do not have a catchment area, most of them admit students based on the results of entrance exams, but the level of complexity can vary greatly. In addition to exams, private schools practice interviews with applicants, as well as sometimes with their parents. Private schools have nothing to do with the municipality, they need to apply directly, and you will also receive exam results and an offer of a place directly from the school.
School selection
If you decide that your child needs an academically strong school, then it makes sense to start the selection process, proceeding according to the following scheme:
- Explore league tables
- Select schools geographically accessible to you
- Look at school websites leavers destinations
- Attend open house days at selected schools
- Talk to parents in real and virtual formats
Moving from the first point to the fifth, you will gradually select only a few schools of interest to you.Thus, the initial chaos will be streamlined and reduced to a neat list, with which it will already be possible to work.
A little more about the five stages of selection.
League tables
Yes, quite a few copies were broken in the field of criticism of the very idea of ratings, the methods of compiling them, the choice of criteria, trust in ratings, their objectivity, and so on. Still, it is difficult to imagine a more adequate first step in the process of choosing a strong school. One way or another, the exam results (namely, they are the main criterion for compiling the ranking) demonstrate the academic level of graduates, their competitiveness and prospects for admission to leading universities.
By examining the rankings, you will see that the difference in results between schools in the top 20 is very small. Just a few percent. And these few percent can change the place of the school in the ranking from year to year – this year the school is in third place, and last year it was in ninth place. In most cases, this does not mean that the school is getting better or worse. It’s just that the release was stronger or weaker, something turned out better, but something went wrong.
Another thing is that schools can really seriously “rise” or “fall”, but to determine this, you need to look at the ratings not for a year or two, but for 5-10 years.This may be due to a change in director, teaching staff, funding sources and a host of other factors. Although, in fairness, it should be noted that top English schools still more often occupy their more or less unchanged place in the ratings for many years.
It makes sense to look exactly at the tables with the A-level results, since GSCE is much easier to pass, the absolute results there are always much higher, and it is more difficult to isolate the leading academic schools from this list.
It is also very important to understand here that the difference of a few percent in the exam results and, accordingly, the place in the ranking is determined by far from everyone. The school may be located a little lower, but it may be the best for you. In an environment suitable for a particular child, he will prove himself 100% and it will no longer be so important that only 70%, and not 85% of his classmates received their A * in exams.
The Telegraph’s Top 12 Schools (2018)
Ratings are usually based on both GSCE and A-level results.So it makes sense to look at the tables with the A-level results, since GSCE is much easier to pass, the absolute results there are always much higher, and it is more difficult to isolate the leading academic schools from this list. In addition, when choosing a high school for their child, parents usually assume that he will study in one school until the end, including 6 th Form (the last two years of school devoted to preparing for the A-level). This is a good strategy. Even if closer to graduation you decide to change school, then, most likely, it will be a well-considered decision based on personal experience, the child’s needs, opening prospects and opportunities offered by this or that school.But it still makes sense to make a decision when choosing a secondary school for a child aged 10-11, based on an assessment of the final result achieved by graduates.
Main Ratings:
2017
The Telegraph
The Times
Evening Standard
The Best Schools
2016
The Telegraph
Guardian
Another good resource, but paid:
The Sunday Times School Guide 2019
And, of course, you can read about the school on Ofsted – GOV.UK, although this is not always informative enough.
School location
Of course, the ratings cover the entire territory of the United Kingdom, but you live in a very specific place and are unlikely to be ready to move to another city or another county for the sake of school. Although some families do just that. But let’s not go to the extreme and take it for granted that you are looking for a school within easy reach of your home. And, of course, if you decide to go to public schools, then you need to look at their catchment area.Therefore, naturally, only a few schools from, say, the top twenty remain on your list. If you are lucky.
A few words about the concept of “transport accessibility”. Most of us are used to children walking to school. Ten minutes. Or three. Well, well, in the coolest in the city, sometimes half an hour by tram. But this is in Russia. In England, and especially in London, this is not entirely true. It’s okay to get to high school for an hour. That is, it is tiring, and you have to get up early, but you should not hope that the desired school will be within walking distance of you.
Leavers destinations
In addition to the direct place in the ratings and exam results, it is important to look at two more statistical indicators:
- What A level exams students take.
- Where do the graduates of this school go?
This is not already indicated in the ratings, but on the websites of your pre-selected schools. All top schools publish this information and it is extremely important.
For example, if you see that at school from the top twenty children massively pass the design exam and then go to universities for specialties related to art, and your child is interested in chemistry, and drawing is clearly not his strong point, then most likely, he doesn’t need to go to this school.
English private schools, with rare exceptions, do not position themselves as specializing in any particular disciplines. There is no system of mathematical or language schools like in Russia. Almost in any school you will be told that all subjects are strong, that all children have ample opportunities to reveal their abilities, in whatever area they lie. This is often the case. However, there are schools with strong art departments, and there are schools with strong science or classical languages and literature.And often this can be determined by what subjects graduates choose for delivery and where they go. Although not always. There are schools where the range of disciplines and universities where children go is very large.
Open Days
Of course, open house days are an obvious and wonderful tool that should be actively used. They are run by both private and public schools. You will be able to hear the principal speak about the mission of the school, its policy, values, methodology, principles, results and prospects.The personality of the principal determines a lot in the school, so it is worth listening and watching carefully. You will also be given a guided tour of the school with students as guides. Try to actively ask the children if they like school and what they think of it. This can be very helpful. Talk to teachers. Prepare in advance a list of questions of interest to you. Try to use your visit time efficiently, but remember that the open house is the picture that they want to show you, and make your own conclusions.
The main thing is to remember that it is not parents who are to learn at school, but children. And it is the children who should like the school.
And, of course, you need to go to open days with your children. It seems obvious, but you will be surprised to find that sometimes parents come alone, leaving their children at home. It is difficult to understand the logic of these people, and, probably, it is not worth trying. The main thing is to remember that it is not parents who have to learn at school, but children. And it is the children who should like the school.Of course, we can advise, give arguments, pay attention to something, but listening to the opinion of children when choosing a school is a necessary condition for their further successful study.
Communication with parents, reviews on sites, word of mouth
Gathering information from real people is extremely important. These are not formal data presented in the ratings or on the school website, but personal opinion and personal experience, which is extremely valuable. However, do not forget that the opinions of parents are subjective and that their views, their goals and objectives may differ from yours.
The first thing to do is make a list of your expectations of the school. What is important to you and what do you want to get. And believe me, for all the banality of posing the question, everyone’s lists will turn out to be different. And now, with these lists, go to school, talk to parents and read reviews.
Talking to other parents about schools is not enough to hear from them: “We have a great school! We are very happy! ” It is worth clarifying what exactly they are happy with.Simply because often “what is good for a Russian, death for a German.” For example, in response to your clarifying question, a parent may happily say: “Lessons are almost never asked, children play a lot of outdoor sports, travel, sing in the choir, parents of the same circle with us – almost all have family businesses.” And you are like that without a family business, with a mortgage and work late, and your child is academically gifted and, in fact, you would like him to go to Oxbridge and get an education for a subsequent career, and not to participate in the family business.
Or another situation – they tell you: “We have a great school! We are very happy! The school is one of the strongest in the country, the workload is very heavy, lessons every day in four subjects, Latin, Ancient Greek and three modern foreign languages are required, mathematics every day, physics three times a week. ” Well, further down the list. And your child is an actor from early childhood, you need him to be able to skip school for work, so that the school has good departments of art and drama. And so on and so forth.
Therefore, the first thing to do at this stage is to make a list of your own expectations from the school. What is important to you and what do you want to get. And believe me, for all the banality of posing the question, everyone’s lists will turn out to be different. And now, with these lists, go to school, talk to parents and read reviews on the Internet.
Good sites with school reviews and other useful information:
https://www.elevenplusexams.co.uk
http: // www.11plusguide.com/
Optimal number of schools on the final list
Competitions for admission to top schools are very high. The requirements in schools are different. The schools themselves are quite different, both objectively and subjectively. The choice between a grammar school and a private one is very acute for many families due to financial reasons. A child at the age of 10-11 is still a child, prone to mood swings, intestinal and other colic, colds, diarrhea and scrofula. You can list 150 more reasons, but they all boil down to the same conclusion – you cannot take risks and put all your eggs in one basket and put all your chips on zero: you need to enter not one very-very school, but several .In order to minimize risks and have a chance to choose, having already a whole range of proposals.
Usually, parents choose one or two schools from the crème de la crème category, one or two from the second choice category, and at least one of the “just in case, I should definitely go here”. Moreover, this list can include both public and private schools.
A common mistake is to panic and send your child to exams in 10-15 schools. Experience has shown that this is an ineffective strategy.It is difficult to concentrate on the specifics of specific schools, it is insanely difficult for a child to withstand such a load, and he may simply break loose and not go to the most important exams, locked in the closet (and he can be understood). Plus the material side – in private schools, the registration fee is about £ 100 pounds. You can find a much more pleasant use for the extra one and a half thousand.
In short, the list of 5 schools is a literate, moderate and reasonable document that should remain in your hands after a meticulous search and analysis.
Part 2. 11+ exams and preparation for them
Do I need to prepare specifically and when to start?
Parents often have a question: when to start purposefully preparing a child for exams? And is it necessary to do this at all, or is it enough just to master the elementary school curriculum well. Unfortunately, many will have to upset – usually this is not enough and you will have to prepare. Good grades in primary school are not always an indicator of a child’s readiness for admission.It very much depends on the school and the level of its requirements.
It makes sense first of all to look at the samples of entrance exams on the websites of your chosen schools. Very often they are there. If the school does not post them, look at the websites of schools of similar level. This may be sufficient for an initial understanding of the requirements.
Formally, the material that you need to master to pass 11+ does not go beyond the primary school curriculum. But … there are several quite significant “buts”:
Speed. The number of exam tasks is very large. When looking at the samples for the first time, the parent is usually amazed, and the thought comes to him: “Is it ALL necessary to have time to do this ?!”
Uh … Yes. This is exactly what you need to aim for. Mistakes are usually inevitable anyway and getting 100% nearly impossible. But you need to strive for this. And this is training and training again, even if there are no gaps in mastering the program, and the child knows and understands everything.
Approach, asking questions. It makes sense to get acquainted with this in advance. It is an essential element for the success of any exam. Each school may have its own characteristics.
Job level. It can be very different for different schools. Yes, formally, nothing that would not be included in the primary school curriculum will not be on the exams. Not trigonometry, not Shakespeare, not even elementary algebra, as a rule. All tasks in mathematics can be completed with a good command of one arithmetic and the beginnings of geometry. Formally.Just do not forget that arithmetic is not only four actions and simple and decimal fractions, but the beginning of geometry is not only the sum of the angles of a triangle. Firstly, even this can be known at a very different level, solved at different speeds and made a different number of mistakes due to inattention, and secondly, the theory of Fermat’s numbers and partly the work of Gauss is also arithmetic. Well, you understand. No trigonometry or logarithms. The whole question is how deep to dig. And in top schools they dig.
Do not forget that arithmetic is not only four actions and simple and decimal fractions, and the beginning of geometry is not only the sum of the angles of a triangle.
Likewise with English. You can ask to answer questions to a simple half-page text at the level “What color was Masha wearing?”And this is not a joke or a figure of speech.
The sixth grade program must be completed in the fifth. 11+ exams at grammar schools children take in the sixth grade, in early September. In private schools – also in the sixth, but in January. And the exam tasks cover the entire elementary school curriculum. That is, by the beginning of the sixth grade, the child must completely pass it. And hone it.
Based on all this, you need to start preparing no later than in the fifth grade. And this applies specifically to targeted preparation for exams in specific schools.Taking into account the fact that the child is a good student, his primary school is adequate, according to the program he understands everything and masters well.
Exam format and preparation
Exams are held in two subjects – English and Mathematics. This is standard.
Usually both exams are held on the same day with a lunch break. But it happens that there are two rounds, and only according to the results of the first round, applicants are admitted to the second. Both tours usually include both English and Math.For each item, about an hour is allotted. It sometimes happens for 30-45 minutes. All details need to be checked with the schools of your choice.
Public Schools
The most common examinations in public schools are verbal reasoning (“English”) and non-verbal reasoning (mathematics). Each examination sheet contains about 100 questions with preset choice of answers. In order to score a large number of points, you need to work very quickly, carefully read the assignments, have excellent command of elementary mathematics, have a very good vocabulary, thoroughly know grammar and write correctly.Also, in non-verbal reasoning, the general level of intelligence, logical thinking, the ability to highlight the main thing is checked.
These materials are very popular for preparation:
https://www.schofieldandsims.co.uk/key-stage-2-11-plus/
https://www.bond11plus.co.uk/
These series contain both preparation materials and sample exam papers and small ten-minute tests for daily practice.
In addition, mock exams are often conducted by independent companies or grammar schools themselves.These events are easily tracked by our mutual friend Google.
If a school organizes two examination rounds, then usually the first is a set of verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning typical for public schools, and the second is offered as examinations in private schools. Let’s move on to them.
Private schools
It’s different here. Sometimes tasks on verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning are included in entrance examinations, but more often exams are held in a different format.At the same time, the subjects remain the same – English and mathematics, and exams are also held on the same day with a lunch break.
Mathematics. An examination paper can consist of an average of 30-40 or even 50 questions, usually arranged in ascending order of difficulty. Starting with fairly simple examples and ending with complex complex multi-stage tasks for logic, spatial thinking, the ability to think outside the box.
We can say that, conditionally, the second half of the exam tasks is the so-called “Olympiad level”, where it will definitely not be enough just to “be able to count well.”But do not forget that even if you have a smart and savvy child, he is offered at least 30 tasks for a maximum of 1 hour 15 minutes, and at least 15 of them are tasks at the Olympiad level. Agree, this is a lot. And ingenuity will not be enough here. It takes skill, speed, habit, grip, if you like.
English. Again, variations are possible here, and they depend on the school, but usually the English exam consists of two main parts – analyzing the text (comprehension) and writing an essay on one of the given topics of choice (composition).Sometimes they ask to write two essays – one short in the text from the comprehension section, the second original. In the first draft of the essay, you may be asked to write your own continuation of the proposed passage, or your own version of the text under changed circumstances. For example, how could events have developed further if Little Red Riding Hood met in the forest not a wolf, but woodcutters. Here are jokes, but the problem is not always trivial.
When writing an essay, it is important to use metaphors, comparisons, non-standard phrases, to write figuratively, in a non-trivial language using many adjectives.Both the original idea and the masterful execution are appreciated. Decreased marks for grammatical errors.
The topics of the original essays are very different and often not simple at all. For example, this: “What is philosophy?” Or: “How do you view the traditional separate education of boys and girls in England and why.” There are also abstract ones, for example, “View from the window”. And if you think that it is supposed to describe the fence, cars and bushes outside the window, then you are greatly mistaken. One clever girl wrote an essay about her blind peer, for whom the view from the window is not a “view” in the usual sense of the word, but sounds, smells, a breath of wind, the warmth of the sun.And what feelings she experiences, “looking” out of the window, what she thinks about, what she regrets, what she enjoys. When writing an essay, it is important to use metaphors, comparisons, non-standard phrases, to write figuratively, in a non-trivial language using many adjectives. Both the original idea and the masterful execution are appreciated. Decreased marks for grammatical errors.
Or there was another topic: “The Apple of Discord.” The same clever girl wrote about the biblical apple and the conflict between the ideal and the human.Well, you already understand approximately.
As for the comprehension section, the texts are quite complex, multi-layered, with rich vocabulary and often ambiguous character relationships. It can be an excerpt from a classic work such as “Alice” or “Tom Sawyer”, and from modern literature. Ideally, it is good to be familiar with the work prior to the exam so that you can analyze the passage more deeply. To do this, it is absolutely necessary to read a lot.
Questions can be asked strictly according to the text in order to reveal a clear understanding of the written, and the general perception of the meaning.For example, the following questions are typical: “Why did Vasya do this? Confirm your opinion with quotes from the text “,” What do you think of Vasya’s character? Why? “,” What literary techniques does the author use to convey Vasino’s attitude towards teacher Maryivanna? ”
Preparation methods
It’s hard to discover America here. Everything is quite traditional. You can prepare yourself, but it is very laborious and responsible. Or you can go to one of the many training centers (tuition centers) and study there in a group.You can find a private tutor and go to him for individual or group lessons. The choice is yours. Specific attendances and passwords need to be clarified locally and in connection with the specific schools selected.
An indispensable element of successful exam preparation is the completion of the exam papers of the past, which were offered in the schools of your choice – past papers. You need to start with a leisurely analysis of all tasks and dividing them into types. Further, it makes sense to find similar tasks in various sources and train their implementation.And only then proceed to the implementation of past papers for a while.
An indispensable element of successful exam preparation is the completion of the exam papers of the past, which were offered in the schools of your choice – past papers.
Schools usually post only one version of the past paper on their website. The child needs to solve about 20 of them for each school. Getting them is not a trivial task. Good target tutors have them. If you are planning to prepare your child yourself, look for the parents you know, whose children are already studying at the school of your choice.
Part 3. Admission Process
So, you have compiled a list of schools you are interested in, studied their requirements and are actively preparing your child for exams. Now directly on admission.
Public Selective Schools
Public Selective Schools need to apply in two stages.
The first is to apply to the school about your desire to take part in the Test Entry Form.Forms are posted on school websites. Applications generally start after Easter and continue through the summer term of the year your child is in fifth grade. So, in the spring of 2019, schools will accept applications from parents of children who plan to go to their seventh grade in September 2020.
Here you need to remember that there are schools (grammar schools) in which there are absolutely no restrictions on the area of residence of the child (no catchment area), but there are those that, according to the results of exams, only part of the children are accepted, and for them the place of residence does not matter, and there are those that take into account both exam results and place of residence.And all this must be clarified even before applying, so that it does not turn out that the child has passed the exams and even went to school according to their results, but he was not accepted, because you do not get into the catchment area of this school. And such cases do happen, and not all schools weed out applicants by their place of residence even before the exams.
In the spring of 2019, schools will accept applications from parents of children who plan to attend seventh grade in September 2020.
The second stage is to apply for a place in the desired schools in your municipality.This is done on your local site in the fall a year before high school starts, which means your child is in sixth grade at that time. Typically, the deadline for accepting applications is October 31st.
The application specifies the schools you would like to go to, starting with the most desirable and then descending. The order is really taken into account and matters, that is, the very coveted school must be indicated first.
The exams are usually held in September of the year the child enters sixth grade.We talked about the format and preparation earlier.
Results
Officially, a place in a state selective school is allocated by the municipality, but only at the request of the school, which bases its decision on the results of examinations. Usually, the school, after checking the examination papers, sends a letter to applicants either with an unequivocal refusal, or with a hint of a good chance of being accepted. Something in the spirit of “you scored so many points. Based on the experience of past years, applicants with such results received a place in our school. “This is already a good strong hope for the desired outcome, but still not a guarantee. You will finally know about this on March 1, the day known as National Offer Day.
Please be aware that if you are not happy with the exam results and think there has been a mistake and your child deserves a better grade, you have the right to file an appeal, which must be reviewed and decided upon. The school usually places all the details about the rules for filing appeals on its website.
Statistics
In the strongest grammar schools, the competition can go up to 50 people per place.
Private schools
There is no catchment area in private schools, and they are completely indifferent to where the child lives. Here, only you decide how long and difficult it will be for the child to get to school.
Private school applications generally begin in the spring and end in mid or late November of the year before your child enters seventh grade. That is, in November 2019, there will be a deadline for seventh graders in 2020. The exact dates must be checked on the website of each school.
In response to the received application, the school will send you a package of documents and ask you to pay the registration fee. Usually the amount is around £ 100. This fee is non-refundable and does not count towards subsequent tuition fees. It is simply charged for the administrative costs of organizing and administering the exams.
The package of documents you received may contain application forms for various scholarships and financial assistance – bursary. We will talk about bursary in great detail later.
Scholarships
There are four types of scholarships, and not all schools offer all four.
Academic scholarships. Currently, most schools do not require special applications for academic scholarships and do not need to take special separate exams. Although until recently it was a widespread practice, and in some schools it has been preserved. Again, everything needs to be clarified in specific schools. Now the trend is such that all children pass uniform exams in the general stream and, according to the results, the most outstanding scholarships are offered.
At the top schools, the benefit of a scholarship is usually a small discount on tuition fees. This is about 5-10%. There are more solid scholarships, but these are rare and special cases. We will also talk about them later – in the section on “trading with the school”.
In “simpler” schools (note: academically simpler, not in terms of status), in addition to a discount, scholarship holders may be offered a special program in some subjects, additional lectures and seminars, and other “academic goodies”.
Sports scholarships. A separate application must be submitted for this type of scholarship. Usually the school determines the sports in which it is interested and in which it is ready to offer a scholarship. The child’s sports portfolio must be attached to the application – lists of his achievements, awards and regalia, diplomas, certificates, medals, as well as a recommendation from his coach.
After some time after submitting the portfolio, the school will tell you if it is ready to invite your child to view. And then a decision is already made.Views take place after the main exams. Fellows are expected to actively participate in the school team in their chosen sport, intensive training and participation in competitions.
Practice shows that serious athletes who compete at least at the city or county level have the chances of getting a sports scholarship.
The scholarship is not easy to obtain, and it is not enough to swim well, like to paint or make music throughout the year. The scholarship is given to talented children who have serious achievements in a particular field of activity.
Music scholarships. The application system, audition call and decision making is similar to the process for sports scholarships. It is often necessary to present a certain grade, passed for a certain grade. Grade is a level, after passing an exam, there are only eight of them in the music program. But sometimes the school chooses not to rely on grades, but only on the results of the audition. Possession of multiple instruments or instrument and vocals is a plus.As bonuses, in addition to a discount on tuition, there is the opportunity to take private music lessons, play in the school orchestra or sing in the choir for free. Again, the scholar is expected to take an active part in the school’s musical life, intensive music lessons, and concert performances.
Fine Arts Scholarships. The administrative side is the same as described above. Even before the exams, an art portfolio should be submitted to the admissions committee, consisting not only of the child’s individual works, but also of sketch books, which can be used to track the candidate’s work on a specific topic, develop an individual style, and master various techniques.In more detail about the requirements you need to find out in each school. The school offers art scholarships less often than music or sports scholarships. If you are interested in a strong art department at school, you need to choose a school especially carefully and purposefully.
In general, it can be said that it is not easy to get a scholarship, and for this it is not enough to swim well, like to paint or make music throughout the year. The scholarship is given to talented children who have serious achievements in a particular field of activity. However, schools are very different, the requirements for potential fellows are very different and you shouldn’t be afraid to try applying for a scholarship if you feel like your child has a potential chance.You may be refused, but such an attempt will not negatively affect admission.
What else may the school ask you to tell it initially?
In the application, parents are usually asked about the characteristics of the child. This can be dyslexia, dysgraphia, health problems, some kind of limitations, and even a native language other than English.
All these points need to be pointed out without false hesitation, if they have a place to be. In some cases, the child may even be given extra time to complete the exam tasks if his condition prevents him from completing the work within the allotted time for everyone.
Entrance examinations
As we said above, the English and Math exams are held on the same day with a lunch break. Sometimes the children are also given a short orientation tour of the school.
But in private schools, the matter is not limited to exams. This is only the first step to go through. This is followed by an interview.
After the examination papers are written, the school informs you of the results within a few days (sometimes it takes a week or ten days).Nowadays, this is more often done by email, but some schools will send you a letter by mail the old fashioned way. It will tell you if your child passed the test or not. If not, then your romance with this school is over before it can begin. If so, the child will be invited for an interview.
Interview
The interview is usually conducted with two teachers. It can last 20 minutes, half an hour or even 40 minutes. Typically, questions fall into the following categories:
academic. Mathematics and English. The child may be asked to solve several problems in front of the interviewers, come up with an oral story on a topic, talk about a favorite book or the one he is reading now.
It is important not to relax and concentrate here. When talking about books, one should not convince everyone that the favorite of them is certainly “Jane Eyre” or “Pride and Prejudice.” It will be quite appropriate to tell about the child’s really favorite book, but with enthusiasm, vividly, emotionally.
Picture story. Yes. You will laugh. And in vain. It’s just that the pictures are different. And the stories about them too. For example, one girl was offered a self-portrait of Frida Kahlo “Rama” as a “picture”. Google it at your leisure, it’s interesting. At the same time, try to compose yourself a story about the era and how Frida portrayed it in the painting. There is pure symbolism, as, in fact, in all of Kahlo’s paintings.
Hence the conclusion – introduce children to art. Although this conclusion follows not only from here.
Questions for thinking outside the box. Well, for example, a child is given an everyday object, say a wooden kitchen spoon, and asked to tell how it can be used. And if you thought that the child would be fine, if he says that it is good to stir porridge or soup in a saucepan with this spoon, then you will hit the sky with your finger. At 10-11, children are expected to give a completely different answer to an interview at a top school. Well, of course! You can make a ruffled skirt with a spoon, draw eyes and a mouth, and you get a doll cleaner than a Barbie. There may be a million options, but none of them will be about porridge.And if you were given bills – instantly forget about the accounting of the times of our grandmothers.
In a highly respected school there is a story about a boy who spoke about his passion for paper airplanes. In front of the astonished examiners, he put together several ingenious designs and was happily accepted into the school.
Questions about hobbies and lifestyle. What are your hobbies? How do you spend your time on weekends? What is your favorite thing to do in your free time? What sport do you like? How did you spend your last vacation?
Teachers want to see that the child is comprehensively developed, knows how to enjoy life, is active, passionate about something, his eyes are burning.
Again, don’t invent “right” hobbies for your child specifically for the interview. In one highly respected school, there is a story about a boy who spoke about his passion for paper airplanes. In front of the astonished examiners, he put together several ingenious designs and was happily accepted into the school. Examiners want to see keen, curious kids ready to learn with energy and enthusiasm, not tortured by preparation and trained on standard zombie responses.
Interview for parents
Some private schools invite not only children, but also parents for interviews. Not everyone does this, but the practice is quite common. At first glance, it may seem that this is a sign of some potential discrimination against a child, an assessment of his results and capabilities in retrospect of the financial and social capabilities of parents and the establishment of a kind of qualification in relation to families from where children come to a particular school.In reality, this is not the case with top schools.
What are the real purposes of such interviews? There are two of them:
1) To enable the school to understand from what environment the child comes and what kind of baggage he carries with him. What are the values in the family and do they coincide with the values declared by the school. To what extent are parents ready to support the child in his desire to learn, to create the necessary conditions for him. What is the relationship between the parents and the child, how psychologically healthy is the situation in the family.For example, often the child and the parents are asked the same questions, and then the answers are compared. This approach helps to understand the level of mutual understanding between generations and the attitude of parents to the hobbies and interests of the child.
But do not think that they are trying to catch you on something. Nobody sets such a goal for themselves. The school representative will simply try to understand if this school is suitable for your child and your family and if it will fit into the school environment.
2) An interview is a chance for parents to understand if this particular school is right for their child.During such conversations, it is worth asking questions that concern you, try to more clearly understand the school’s position in relation to education and upbringing, clarify their methods of work, and so on. In general, everything goes like an interview for a job – both parties are trying to figure out how fit each other is.
As an advice, you can offer to behave as naturally as possible, prepare a list of questions and not hesitate to ask them, proceed from the principle that not only the school is interviewing you, but you are also the school.
Consortia
Some schools in certain areas are organized in consortia. Both public and private schools can do this. In the light of the entrance exams, this means that the schools jointly develop common examination tasks and the child, applying to several schools from the consortium, takes the exams only once. In this case, the application must be submitted to each school separately. In the case of private schools, the registration fee is also payable to each of the selected schools.At the same time, each school conducts an interview individually.
You can take exams at any of the schools of the consortium, and in the application you need to indicate each time which school you choose for this. At least in the case of private schools, this matters, as it is perceived as an indicator that the school chosen for passing the exam is a priority for you.
After the exams, the schools exchange papers and each school grades them individually. Evaluation criteria and passing scores can vary widely from school to school, but this system can reduce the burden on the child by avoiding multiple exams.
Results
Here you have a child who was completely stunned after the interview, and you go home with him – drink valerian and wait for the results. They usually arrive within a week of the interview. Often, top schools in the same area agree among themselves and send letters to everyone on the same day. And now this will definitely be a real letter that the postman will bring to you. A popular English omen says – rejoice in a puffy A4 envelope! In it, happiness will come to you along with an offer of a place in the dream school, a package of documents and a contract.If the envelope is thin and small – expect a refusal, because in such envelopes there is only one sad piece of paper with a bunch of regrets and condolences.
There are legends about families that could not be at home on day X and were specially installed at the front door of the cell in order to remotely assess at least the size and degree of plumpness of the envelopes.
The private school will never tell you how many points your child scored on the entrance test. Neither in case of refusal, nor in case of obtaining a seat.She will never show you your child’s exam papers. At least such cases are unknown, and schools usually warn parents in advance of such a policy. You cannot appeal and challenge the school’s decision, which is final. Remember that a private school is a private company and reserves the right to select students according to its own criteria and discretion. It is of course possible to contact the reception and ask them for some kind of feedback, but this is entirely at the discretion of the school.
Statistics
Competition of 20-25 students per place is normal in top private schools. The lower competition compared to top grammar schools is associated, of course, not with the quality of education or the lesser popularity of private schools, but with the cost of education in them.
Part 4. Financial assistance (bursary)
Many parents are convinced that private schools are intended only for wealthy people, that they are the forges of golden youth, and the mere mortal whose parents work for a modest salary and pay a mortgage should not even think about them.In fact, this is not entirely true, and in some cases it is not at all true.
What is a bursary?
This is a discount on the annual school fees. It can vary from 10% to 100% and is calculated depending on the family’s income and expenses. This is a financial aid for families who cannot afford to pay the full tuition fees for their children in a private school.
Differences between the scholarship and bursary
Scholarships do not depend in any way on the income of the student’s family.A child of millionaires can get a discount that is essentially unnecessary for him as well as a person who comes from the family of a middle-level manager who denies himself much to send a child to a private school. Bursary is offered only to those families who objectively experience financial difficulties in paying for tuition.
Previously, the main cash flow of the school was directed to scholarships. It was possible to get a scholarship at both 30% and 50%. Now the policy has changed. Scholarships are most often limited to modest discounts of 5-10%, but more generous bursaries are provided.In this way, schools expand their target audience and position themselves in a more democratic and socially just role.
Each school has a special person, Bursar, whose duties include the distribution of the budget allocated for bursaries among the applicants. You can always make an appointment with him at the stage of choosing a school and discuss school policy in this regard, conditions, requirements, chances.
Why do schools offer bursary?
The key point here is one simple idea – top schools live off their reputation.The main indicators of this reputation are excellent exam results and the list of universities where graduates are applying. Of course, the school achieves these results with the help of high educational standards, careful selection of the teaching staff, development of its own methods, an individual approach to students, a good technical base, ample opportunities for students to develop their talents and abilities, good work of the vocational guidance department, and so on and so on. like that.But the composition of the students is also important. The school is interested in capable, active, hardworking, passionate and motivated children who, with all the above efforts made by the school, will show the best results. And she is ready to support these children financially.
Not all schools offer bursary financial aid to their students. And some allocate only one free seat per year. Typically, these schools do not pursue goals in the form of the highest academic results and set themselves completely different goals.For example, an even all-round education and upbringing, good sports training, the ability to behave in society and other secular skills. Their reputation is unrelated to the admission of graduates to Oxbridge.
However, top academic schools are well aware that capable and motivated children grow up not only in wealthy families and are ready to attract them by providing financial assistance.
How is bursary calculated?
Do not think that in order to qualify for a bursary, you need to be unemployed and live with your family in a box on the station square.To do this, you do not even need to be poor from the point of view of the state. In different schools, there are different levels of “property qualification” – the total annual family income, above which you should not count on bursary. This information should be obtained from each school you are interested in. But many top schools set such a qualification at £ 80,000 a year. If your family’s total annual income is lower, feel free to apply.
Some schools ask to inform them when submitting the main application that you are planning to apply for bursary, and send you all the necessary forms and lists of required documents.Some raise this issue only after the child has successfully passed the exams and interviews.
Do not think that in order to qualify for bursary, you need to be unemployed and live with your family in a box on the station square. To do this, you do not even need to be poor from the point of view of the state.
The forms to fill out for bursary applicants are very detailed and can be up to 30 pages long, and the list of required documents is long and impressive.Proving that you need a bursary is a big, time consuming and rather dreary task. But the game is definitely worth the candle.
You will be asked to indicate not only all your income, which includes salaries, income from renting real estate, and investment dividends, but also all your property – real estate, jewelry, cars, art objects, collections, and so on. The question will certainly be asked – why can’t you sell your great-grandmother’s diamonds and in this way pay for your child’s education in a private school.In a more realistic situation, the question of very expensive real estate may arise – why are you not considering the option of moving to a more modest housing in order to educate children with the proceeds.
But not only income is important, but also expenses – mortgage payments, insurance, utility bills, loan payments, payment for the child’s classes in circles and sections. It also takes into account the size of the family, the number of children and other dependents, such as elderly parents living with you.In short, you will have to give the school all your financial insights.
Based on the results, the school will decide what kind of discount it is willing to give you. As mentioned above, it can vary between 10% and 100% of the tuition fee. In some cases, when providing 100% bursary, the offer also includes free school meals, school bus rides and private music lessons. But this, of course, not with the total family income of £ 60-70K per year.
The school informs the parents of its decision regarding the bursary in a final letter with an offer of a place in the school.
Typical Approach to Allocating a School Bursary Budget Among Applicants
Obviously, there are many smart, but not rich people, and the school has a limited amount of money. Not enough for everyone. Usually this issue is solved as follows: the school makes a list of students who have successfully passed the entrance tests, to whom it is ready to offer a place, indicating the points they have scored.The list is compiled starting with the most successful student in descending order.
After collecting all the documents from applicants for bursary and doing preliminary work, Bursar determines the size of bursary required for each applicant. Someone needs 100% so that he can send a child to this school, someone 10%, someone 30%.
Further, the commission gathers and compares these two lists – candidates and applicants for bursary passed on the basis of examinations. At the same time, the total budget allocated by the school for the bursary is known.
The school draws up a list of students who have successfully passed the entrance tests, to whom it is ready to offer a place, indicating the points they have scored. The list is compiled starting with the most successful student in descending order.
The commission goes through the list of successful candidates from top to bottom and the first one who applies for bursary is allocated the required amount in full. If this is, say, 100%, then the bursary budget is immediately greatly facilitated. Next, the next candidate on the list applying for the bursary is taken, and again the required amount is allocated to him in full.At some point, the money in the budget, of course, runs out. Or at least the likelihood is high. The children on the list who have successfully passed the exams, but who did not have enough money, are still offered a place, but the bursary is not offered. The final decision to accept or reject such an offer remains with the parents.
Schools realize that these children most likely will not be able to learn from them, but offers are still made to them for the sake of fairness.After all, if their parents were richer, they would have got to school.
Thus, getting a bursary still depends not only on the well-being and income of the candidates’ families, but also on their academic results. And to a large extent.
Final selection
And now comes the moment when you sit in front of a stack of letters with proposals from schools and think about how to make the final choice and which proposal to accept. There are a few clarifications to be made here:
Most private schools make their proposals before March 1 – National Offer Day, when parents receive a decision on which public school their child was given a place in.
Private schools set deadlines for accepting or rejecting their proposal. Usually the deadline is set after March 1st. This is done for humane reasons, so that people have time to think over everything, weigh and make a decision, having all the cards in their hands.
Agreeing to a few proposals and then thinking will not work.
Some particularly harmful private schools, without notifying parents in advance, and notifying them about the official deadline, accept only a certain number of the first who agreed, and the rest without a twinge of conscience are sent a letter in which the previously made proposals are withdrawn.This is not a very common practice, but, for example, City of London School for Girls is famous for it. This is where taking a close look at school reviews will help you.
When you accept an offer from a private school, you sign a contract with it and are required to make a deposit of tuition fees per term. In the case of providing bursary, the deposit can be significantly less, but it is still there, even if the bursary is 100%. Thus, agreeing to several proposals and then thinking will not work.Unless you’re a multimillionaire, of course.
And now all the proposals are on your table and you need to decide something. Surely you have the most coveted school in which you are ready to agree with your eyes closed. If so, then you are not in the throes of choice. But situations are different. For example, a child did not go to the most coveted school, but went to two others, equally attractive. One school offered you a much larger bursary than the others. Somewhere they gave a scholarship, but somewhere they didn’t.I would like to send my child to a private school, but financially it is difficult, and a place in a good grammar school has been obtained. And so on.
To help you make your choice, here’s a life hack: you can bargain with private schools. Yes, in all seriousness. As already mentioned, good schools are interested in strong students as much as students in proposals from good schools. Each applicant usually enters several schools, and physically can, of course, only go to one.Therefore, schools make significantly more proposals than they actually have seats, knowing that not all proposals will be accepted. And they do their best to ensure that the strongest students accept exactly their proposals. The competition for brains between schools is great.
Therefore, if you know that your child is strong, but the school you have chosen made you an offer worse than a less attractive one, do not hesitate, call and talk, make a personal meeting. Schools are ready for this.This does not mean that the school will yield to you and agree to your terms. But it’s worth trying. There are cases when a child was given a stipend of 60%, while officially it is 5%. It happened that the size of the bursary was doubled, despite the fact that the financial condition of the family allowed them to pay more. With a clear interest of the school in a particular child, bargaining is quite appropriate. Go for it!
If you know that your child is strong, but the school you have chosen made you an offer worse than a less attractive one, do not hesitate, call and talk, make a personal meeting.Schools are ready for this.
It is also possible to say separately about the offers of places on the waiting list. This does not always mean that your child did not do well on exams or interviews. Sometimes this suggests that the school does not expect that the child will actually go to study with them, but rather chose this school as a fallback and passed the exams just in case. For example, such a combination of factors as passing exams in another school of the consortium, in answering the question at the interview, “which schools do you still go to”, indicating stronger schools plus very high exam scores will easily show the school that most likely this child is their school will not choose.Therefore, it makes no sense to make an offer to him. But there is no reason to refuse. So the child is put on a waiting list, hoping that if the parents are nevertheless interested in this particular school, they will call and announce their intentions.
So you need to remember that the unambiguous refusal of a private school is a final decision and cannot be appealed, while all other options can be discussed, and the conditions can be changed. At least there is a chance for it. Good luck!
More on the topic:
Moving to England with children: what you need to know (a memo for parents)
Cornell University | Cornell University
Cornell University – Cornell University is one of eight universities in the famous Ivy League.For a long time, the motto of the university is “I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study”, which quite accurately reflects the specifics of the university – a fundamental approach to teaching students, in which the same time is devoted to postulates and the latest research, the study of theory and practice …
Features of the learning system at Cornell University
The internal system of Cornell University is characterized by a fairly strong decentralization – each college has wide autonomy in its actions, policies and curriculum development.This system was later adopted by a number of other well-known universities – Stanford University, the University of Sydney, and the University of Birningham.
Like all members of the Ivy League, Cornell University is one of the leading universities in the United States and around the world. Over its long history, many discoveries have been made in the laboratories of the university (as recently as 2014, a scientist at Cornell University received the Nobel Prize in chemistry for the creation of an ultrasensitive microscope), and sponsorship is carried out not only through private support, but also through government grants.
The competition for admission to Cornell University is one of the most intense – only 14% of students who applied were able to enroll in 2013. But the alumni ranking remains quite impressive – at least 42 Nobel laureates have been employed by Cornell University.
Cornell University Admission Requirements for Foreigners
- Early Application Deadline is November 21st for all students.The regular deadline for submission of documents is January 2.
- Cornell University has requirements for knowledge of English – a minimum score for IELTS 7.0, for TOEFL 100 for admission to the bachelor’s program. For master’s degrees, the university does not indicate the total minimum score, but pays attention to the minimum score for TOEFL – Writing sections: 20; Listening: 15; Reading: 20; Speaking: 22. The test results must be sent to the university before the main package of documents is sent.
- To be admitted to Cornell University, you must pass the basic SAT or GRE tests in accordance with the program for which you are applying. For admission to MBA programs, you will need to pass the GMAT. The minimum score for the GMAT and SAT tests is not indicated, but statistics are provided – mainly those who pass the tests with a score of more than 90% enter the university. For GRE results, the minimum score is 740. Test results must be sent to the university before the main package of documents is sent.
- Oddly enough, the average GPA of enrolled students (in the example of the Faculty of Engineering) is 2.7 / 4.0, which is quite low. The university does not indicate an official threshold for the average score, but on the example of the diagram of applicants for 2013, it is clear that the average GPA exceeds 3.5 / 4.0, although exceptions are acceptable.
Cornell University Facilities
- Cornell University has three main campuses in Ithaca, New York and Doha (Qatar).Additional campuses are located in Washington DC, Geneva (NY) and Rome (Italy). The New York and Doha campuses are part of Cornell University College of Medicine, while the main campus in Ithaca is dedicated to other specialties.
- Cornell University has a system of sports facilities and facilities for the development of sports teams in baseball, basketball, football, golf, hockey, lacrosse, polo, weight and athletics, softball, swimming, tennis, wrestling, sword fighting, rowing and yachting. sports.
- As a member of the Ivy League, the university participates in intercollegiate championships in all sports disciplines taught at the sports center. Events are held throughout the year and attract many spectators, both students and local residents.
- In addition to sports development opportunities, the university provides leisure opportunities for all students – bowling, hiking, cycling, kayaking and more.
- There are more than 1000 student organizations of all kinds at the university – both educational societies in certain subjects, and a theater troupe, a wine club, religious associations, a brainstorming group on the fight against cancer, and more.All organizations are divided into bachelor and master / postgraduate / professor organizations. The total amount of funding for organizations reaches $ 3 million per year, which is provided by faculties, commercial organizations and graduates of Cornell University.
- Since 1869, the university has had a department of Cornell University Press dealing with print issues. The university has an annual Conellian magazine that has won the Benjamin Franklin Print Award, which no other Ivy League student publication has ever won.The magazine publishes photographs from various events, reports, as well as traditional portraits of graduates of the past year. Another publication, The Cornell Daily Sun, is the oldest independent student newspaper in the United States. In addition, student organizations publish several magazines and newspapers of various contents – scientific, humorous, documentary.
- The Cornell University Library is the 11th largest volume of literature stored in the entire United States. In 2005, a total of 7.5 million books, 8.5 million microfilms, 440 thousand books were stored in 20 huge sections of the library.maps, discs, files and DVDs, excluding electronic data.
Cooperation with universities in the field of international student exchange
- The university offers many student exchange programs. The main condition for the exchange is a GPA of at least 3.0 and at least 1 completed course of education. The number of options varies depending on the faculty, the most notable in this regard is the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, whose student has the opportunity to spend a year on exchange in France, Italy, Argentina, Australia, Norway, Iceland and many other countries.Art students have the opportunity to take a course at the Cornell University in Rome, studying city planning and history, history and art.
- Internship while studying is not encouraged at Cornell University, but for summer vacations, the Career Service Center helps students find the most suitable internships and additional courses. This includes both summer programs for Ivy League universities and a number of commercial organizations in which the university helps a student to get a job.
Job placement assistance after graduation
In addition to helping organize internships, the Career Service Center provides employment and graduates on a permanent basis. Each student and graduate can be consulted in the choice of a profession and further opportunities. The University maintains an open policy in relation to employers, forming its own lists of required specialists, as well as lists of graduates in need of work. By agreement between the employer and the graduate, the university organizes interviews and promotes employment.
Cornell University Dormitory Opportunity, Conditions and Cost
- The University offers on-campus accommodation for students from 7,500 to 9,000 USD per year. The cost depends on the type of accommodation – a separate room, a room for two or three residents. For a separate surcharge, accommodation in “green” houses, international rooms, music houses is possible.
- As a rule, students are settled according to the course (freshmen always live separately, and senior students share common houses with exchange students).In addition, especially large student organizations have separate buildings in which their members are housed.
- Off-campus accommodation will be much cheaper – from 3,500 to 7,000 USD. All accommodation rooms are divided for bachelor and master students, graduate students and professors.
- The power system is ranked in the top 10 across the US. Yearly lunch passes start at USD 950. Students can choose a vegetarian, vegan, dietary menu depending on their preferences.
Cornell University Scholarship and Grant Opportunity
- Cornell University offers a wide variety of financial aid programs. It is noteworthy that the total number of scholarships and awards does not have a specific limit, therefore, under certain conditions, the student is able to cover all the costs of tuition, accommodation and other aspects.
- In order to apply for several grants and scholarships, you do not need to submit several applications for each program separately – one application gives the student access to all possible programs under which he falls.
- Upon admission, the university does not require certificates of financial solvency, so you can first make sure that you have passed the competition, then take part in the financial assistance program.
Free Tuition at Cornell University
According to the official website, the university does not provide scholarships to those students who do not need financial assistance, i.e. any scholarship is awarded solely on a need-to-know basis. It also means that the university promises to take over any financial difficulties of the student.Since at admission you do not need to provide certificates of family income, you can be completely sure that if you manage to pass the competition, then the road to Cornell University is ensured, even if the family cannot afford education in the United States.
Interesting Facts About Cornell University
- One of the most notable and recognizable structures at Cornell University is Weil College of Medicine in Qatar. Its two main rooms have the shape of an ellipsoid on small “legs”.For the construction of this structure from the state budget was allocated $ 750 million.
- The Cornell University Library was the first in the entire United States to permit home borrowing of books and other materials.
- University life is full of traditional student festivals such as Slope Day, which marks the last day of the semester (rapper Snoop Dogg performed in 2005), and Dragon Day, celebrated since 1901, with a parade with a dragon built students-architects, and then ceremonially burned.
- Cornell University is rich in legends, traditions and traditions. There is even a separate term for all this – Cornelliana. One of the most famous legends of the university is the legend of the virgin. According to the legend, if a barefoot virgin crosses the main square of the campus in Ithaca Art Quad at midnight to the ringing of bells, the statues of the founders of the university E. Cornell and A.D. White will step off their pedestals and shake hands.
- Since 1918, at the request of the head of physical education at Cornell University, a very unusual test has been introduced: all women graduating from education were required to pass the Olympic distance swimming test.Subsequently, some well-known universities (Dartmund College, Columbia University, University of Chicago, MIT) adopted a similar tradition.
- The famous Campbell soup in a red and white package borrows its color from the Cornell University soccer jersey. Campbell’s Herburton Williams convinced the campaign to use the colors of Cornell University.
Famous Cornell University alumni
- 2 of 3 1979 Nobel Prize winners in physics “for their contributions to the unified theory of weak and electromagnetic interactions between elementary particles, including the prediction of weak neutral currents” – Sheldon Lee Glashow and Stephen Weinberg – graduated from the university during their grandiose discoveries.
- Robert William Holly – 1968 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine “for deciphering the genetic code and its role in protein synthesis” (along with 2 other scientists).
- Barbara McClintock – Awarded the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of mobile genetic elements.
- Robert Engle – 2003 Nobel Prize in Economics “for developing methods for analyzing economic time series with temporal changes.”
Cornell University Summer Schools
Min. tuition fees | 4,100 USD |
Total cost | from 5,600 USD |
Min. duration | 3 weeks |
Age of students | from 15 years old |
GPA average | 3.3 |
Accommodation | on campus |
Minimum I0 | |
Minimum TOEFL | 100 |
Cornell University was one of the first in the United States to hold summer schools – the very first such programs were developed back in the 60s of the 19th century. Summer schools here are represented by a wide variety of directions and disciplines, and a cozy campus in small Ithaca will allow the student to better concentrate on his studies. Here are programs for schoolchildren aged 15 and over.
Cornell University Summer School Varieties
Cornell University offers a choice of courses in the following academic disciplines
- Architecture, art, design and fashion
- Business, hospitality and management
- Debate and Literature
- Engineering and Robotics
- History and International Relations
- Psychology, research and science
- Social change and stability
- Veterinary
The admissions committee recommends that the courses be chosen within the same scientific discipline, since an in-depth study of completely opposite disciplines may not be within the power of a student.A variety of curricula at Cornell University Summer Schools are presented below.
Summer College (Summer College). 3-week programs
Cornell University provides the opportunity to study in three-week intensive courses dedicated to a specific academic discipline. Classes are held in groups of 15 to 25 people. Classroom activities take about 5 hours a day (3 hours in the morning and 2.5 hours in the afternoon).Most of the courses are designed for students aged 15 and over. Studying in these programs will allow you to earn 3 academic credits, which are taken into account when studying at US universities. The courses are held in two shifts: the first runs from late June to mid-July, and the second from mid-July to early August.
List of courses for the first shift.
- Animal Science: Sustainable Livestock
- Art as Adventure
- Debate and Rhetoric, Part 1
- Immersion in design since 16 years
- Fundamentals of Modern Marketing
- Green cities and a secure future
- History and politics of the modern Middle East
- Hospitality
- Inspirational Leadership (Management and Management)
- Human rights in the world: theory and practice
- War, Peace, Poverty and Power: An Introduction to International Relations from the age of 16
- Secrets of Business Success
- Social entrepreneurship
- Personality in society (psychology)
- Veterinary Medicine: Brief Practice
List of courses for the second shift.
- Animal Science: Caring for Predators
- Debate and Rhetoric, Part 2
- Freedom and Justice
- Literary geniuses and madmen
- Hospitality Management: Food & Beverage
- Macroeconomics and modern economic problems from the age of 16
- Negotiation and conflict resolution
- Shakespeare on stage (literary criticism)
- The world of business (marketing, finance, human and information resources)
- Fashion studio (design)
- Transmedia: The Speech Movie
- Veterinary medicine: environmental medicine from the age of 16
- Veterinary: horses
Dual Program
In addition, Cornell University Summer College provides the opportunity to enroll in two three-week courses at once (from the first and second shifts, respectively) and study at a summer school for six whole weeks.Consequently, the academic credits earned under this program are cumulative (resulting in up to 6 credits). If the student intends to enroll in such a program, then it must be understood that the cost of training will be equivalent to training in six-week courses (12,435 USD), which will be discussed below.
Summer College (Summer College). Six-week course
This one offers more thorough and detailed courses, so before applying, you need to be sure that you want to study a particular subject.For this reason, the six-week courses are designed for high school students aged 16 and over. In case the student wants to study in six-week courses, then he needs to choose two courses to choose from.
List of Summer College Courses
- Life Sciences and Health Research
- Introduction to Architecture: Engineering
- Introduction to Architecture: Lectures
- Introduction to Painting
- Introduction to the history of art: the modern period
- Universe (astronomy)
- Relativity, structure of the cosmos, black holes
- Evolution (biology)
- Introduction to Biology: Comparative Psychology
- Research biological laboratory
- Fundamentals of Biology: Cells and otnogenetics
- Biomedical Technologies
- Introduction to General Chemistry
- Introduction to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Greek Mythology
- Introduction to Cognitive Sciences
- Creative Problem Solving
- Introduction to Environmental Psychology
- Earth in the News
- Introduction to Microeconomics
- An introduction to programming with Python since age 16
- Information technology in the arts since 16 years
- Reading Lab
- An Introduction to the History of Western Civilization
- A global approach to the history of China in the XIX-XXI centuries
- An Introduction to American Labor History
- Introduction to Philosophy
- Contemporary ethical issues
- Green World / Blue Planet (Biology)
- Botany
- Introduction to Psychology
- Personality and Social Psychology
- Introduction to Environmental Psychology
- College Success
- English Immersion Program
- Cornell University Engineering Excellence
- Life Sciences Research Practice
Summer College: Fabricating the Future: Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
Cornell University’s only two-week summer college program.The program is designed to study the work of microcontrollers, 3D printers, robotics in general. The program studies such phenomena as artificial intelligence, the theory of automatic control, the development of algorithms, high-tech production. Offsite classes in nano-laboratories and synchrotrons are provided.
- If you wish, you can combine this with other three-week courses (they will be discussed below), extending your stay at Cornell University to five weeks.In this case, a student visa will be required, and the tuition fee will be USD 10,220.
- This is the only program that does not provide credits for study at US universities.
All Cornell Summer School programs provide accommodation in separate dormitories on campus under the supervision of professional curators (1 curator per 25 students). The rooms are designed for 2-3 students.Students are provided with three meals a day in the university canteens. As for extracurricular activities, the university offers a large selection:
- Sports activities (football, basketball, volleyball, swimming, fitness, etc.)
- Weekend nature trips (Niagara Falls, National Parks)
- Outdoor Lectures
- Weekend dance and music classes
- Opportunity to participate in discussion clubs
- Contribution to the publication of the Summer Times or Summer College Yearbook
- Evening and nightly cultural activities on campus: breakfast nights, talent shows, student exhibitions, etc.p.
Example of a day schedule at Cornell University Summer School
The daily routine on weekdays is based on the three-week program “Macroeconomics and Contemporary Economic Problems”.
7: 00-10: 15 | Morning free time: breakfast, sports, independent work |
---|---|
10: 15-11: 45 | Classroom classes |
11: 45-13 : 00 | Lunch |
13: 00-14: 00 | Classroom classes |
14: 00-17: 00 | Free daytime: working with homework, attending open lectures, participating in the university activities |
17: 00-19: 30 | Dinner |
19: 30-22: 00 | Evening free time: working with homework, attending university cultural and creative events |
22:00 | Rebound |
Cost of participation in summer schools at Cornell University
Prices shown in the table include tuition, meals and campus accommodation.
Program | Cost | Duration |
---|---|---|
Summer College Summer College | 6,120 USD | 3 weeks |
Summer College Summer College | USD 12,435 | 6 weeks |
Creating the Future: Robotics and AI Through Summer College Programs. English. Fabricating the Future: Robotics and Artificial Intelligence | 4,100 USD | 2 weeks |
Additional expenses
Application processing fee | 70 USD | |
---|---|---|
Medical insurance | 223-668 USD | |
Transportation costs (air tickets, transfers) | from 500 USD | 69 |
60–150 USD | ||
Visa costs | 250 USD | |
Laboratory fees | 0–175 USD | |
Off-campus meals | 75–150 USD / week | |
Other personal expenses | 75–150 USD / week. | |
IELTS or TOEFL test | 180-255 USD |
Cornell University Summer School Requirements
Program | Age | TOEFL iBT | IELTS | Deadline |
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer CollegeSummer College | 15+ | 100 | 7.0 | May 12 Except for Research Internship in Biological Sciences. The deadline for submission of documents for this program is March 9 |
Read more about the Summer School Requirements
- Online Application . To participate in summer schools, you must prepare an application on the university website.
- School performance records . You must provide a transcript of your high school performance, as well as your current grades (by quarter, trimester, or semester).The cover letter in English will need to indicate the difference between the American and Russian grading systems. You can also calculate your GPA score yourself by indicating the result in the same cover letter. The transcript must be translated into English with notarization.
- Reference letter . In addition, you will need to prepare a letter of recommendation in the Cornell University form. It must be signed by the school teacher in the subject that touches on the topic of the program that the student expects to enroll in.
- Deadline . The deadline for applications is May 12, with the exception of the Research Internship in Biological Sciences (for which the deadline is March 9). As for the terms of payment of the cost of the summer school, it is 5 days from the date of receipt of the letter of admission. In the event that the enrollment message was received less than one week before the end of the application acceptance, payment will be required on the day of receipt of the enrollment notification.
- Essays .To apply, you must complete three short essays of no more than 250 words each. The first essay should describe the student’s three main achievements or interests. The second should briefly describe the goals of admission to summer school. The third is to justify the choice of a particular training program at the summer school.
- Visa . An F-1 student visa is required to attend the Cornell University Summer School. I-20 invitation forms have been issued by Cornell University in mid-March.To receive this form, you need to formally fill out a request through the website, send a copy of your passport and pay visa costs. An exception is the “Shaping the Future: Robotics and AI” program, which requires a B-2 tourist visa.
Cornell University Summer School Admission Process
- Selection of the suitable program;
- Passing the TOEFL iBT or IELTS language exams and obtaining the corresponding certificate;
- Preparation of documents from school: statement of school performance for the entire period of study in high school; calculating the GPA score for the application to the statements; recommendation;
- Writing three short essays in English;
- Applying for participation in the summer school and waiting for a response from the selection committee (about three weeks).Payment of the cost of considering the application. Enrollment information comes by e-mail;
- Payment of the course fee;
- Request for Form I-20 for a student visa;
- Registration of a student or tourist visa.
Photos Cornell University
McGraw Pavilion in the Yard of the Arts Yard of the Arts building on the campus Cornell University War Memorial Lincoln Building and Baker’s Laboratory Balkh Building Entrance Weil College of Medicine in Qatar
90,000 “Bebchuk Was Like God”: A Story of Violence in a School for Gifted Children
Psychiatrist Sergey Enikolopov has a different opinion:
“It is quite possible that the parents did not notice anything strange.Strictly speaking, what do parents know about the sex life of their children? Usually nothing. All the more so – whether the daughter sleeps with her peers or not. “
Violation of the distance between the teacher and the students, as was the case with Izyumov, he calls professional incompetence:
“If you want to encourage a teenager, you can pat the boy on the shoulder, as he understands that this is a friendly gesture from the male teacher. And the girl is a continuous erogenous zone: you cannot pat her on the head or on the shoulder.Every teacher should know this, otherwise he is not suitable for the profession. “
Why a quarter of a century later
There are many questions to this story. First of all, why did it become known about sexual crimes a quarter of a century later? Sergey Enikolopov suggests that there are two points at issue. First, the intimate relationships of the female students with the teachers were most likely voluntary.
“As a rule, this is an ordinary love affair. Voluntary. Most of the girls themselves rush to bed: hormones play in them, and they, as a rule, are fascinated by the teacher.Those who shouted “no!” Did not get there. But the teacher had to push them away with a stern hand. “
Indeed, the League of Schools graduates do not speak about the fact that intimate relationships took place under duress. For example, a former student of Sergei Bebchuk, Vera Volyak, said that she had a sexual relationship with a teacher at the age of 14, when they “went to his house to record a disco.” According to her, Bebchuk had sex after school, in his dacha, in a car. Once even three of us, together with his wife.And in the 10th grade, “skipping lessons”, she “ended up at home” with Izyumov. But the girl never said that she was against such connections.
The second reason why the situation has become known only now is possible retraumatization, painful situations in the present that remind of similar situations in the past, says the psychiatrist:
“From my point of view, one of the motives is an unsuccessful personal life. After a crisis of thirty and forty years, a person begins to rake his past.It is likely that then, in his teenage years, it was not a trauma. And now a person begins to solve his problems in this way. The trigger could be a recent breakup: and the person begins to remember all the people who abandoned him. “
Speech about pedophilia, according to the psychiatrist, does not go.
“In such cases, since Soviet times, a psychological examination is assigned on the topic of whether the child could understand the meaning of the actions performed with himself. If he could not, then this is the use of the child’s helpless position.If he could, then the picture is completely different: it is mutual agreement. Especially if the situation is in high school. Girls at this time may have a sixth breast size – this is no longer pedophilia. “
” I don’t want this zoo anymore “- Rambler / Saturday
On August 17, it became known that Alisa Teplyakova, a Muscovite who passed the exam at eight years old, did not go to the budget Moscow State University However, the girl’s father is sure that the choice was made correctly, so the child will study for a fee. ”Moscow State University confirmed that Evgeny Teplyakov had signed an agreement with the university.However, what will happen to the girl next – experts argue carefully. “Lenta.ru” learned the stories of other geeks – and their lives develop in different ways. While some occupy leadership positions before their peers complete their second year of university, others remember their lost childhood or break down altogether.
Nine-year-old Alisa Teplyakova is far from the only child prodigy in Russia. Three years before her admission, the attention of journalists was attracted by the Saliev family. Muscovite Madina Salieva has two daughters.Both graduated from school at the age of 11, and at 12 they entered the university on the budget. Salieva is sure that in order to pass the school curriculum, a child does not need to spend 11 years of life.
The success of the daughters – Camilla and Annissa – is largely due to their mother. At the same time, Madina Salieva is not a teacher by profession, but a systems engineer. She started working with girls as soon as they were born. At two and a half years, Madina taught them to read, and at five sent them to school. The eldest Camilla, after the seventh grade, switched to free attendance and mastered the school curriculum at home with her mother, and the younger Annissa studied only at home.
The school was wary of Camilla’s homeschooling and asked to still attend the first grade. The girl was watched by a psychologist and a teacher. When it turned out that the first grader Camilla already knew the program of not only the first, but also the third year of study, they began to offer her to “jump” classes, passing one academic year in six months.
I decided to teach them myself, because I knew the school curriculum well and I had the opportunity to stay at home and study with my daughters.I realized that I could explain everything to children no worse than the teachers. My daughters basically studied for one hour a day, I did more: I prepared materials, drew some cards, shoveled through a bunch of literature to explain more interestingly, more clearly, refreshed the school curriculum in my memory so that, if the child asks, be ready to answer
Her eldest daughter Camilla completed her studies at school and university even before she turned 18. She recalls that her mother began to study with her almost from the cradle, as with her younger sister.The family archive even has a video in which little Camilla lies with a pacifier while Madina teaches her letters.
I’m lying down, and my mother says “show the letter A”. And I show, – she recalls. – We loved to play school as a child, and I always imagined how I would study. For me, studying at school was something incredible, I really wanted to go there, so at the age of five I became a first grader
However, expectations were greatly overestimated: in the first grade, a 5-year-old schoolgirl was bored, like her mother at one time.Her classmates passed as simple as “two plus two” examples, while Camilla could already solve several of these at a time. As a result, she managed to complete the 5th and 6th grade programs in a year. She also “jumped” the 7th and 8th grades, and then from the 9th immediately got into the 11th. At the same time, from the 7th grade, the girl was homeschooled – all the subjects were taught to her by her mother.
At school I studied well, with grades. Apart from a few items, – says the girl. – I was not particularly good at singing – there is no hearing.And at work, I did not reach the pedal of the sewing machine
According to Camilla, she never sat at textbooks for ten hours a day. She recalls her childhood as fun: thanks to home schooling, she had a lot of free time, which she spent in the yard – she played bouncers and Cossack robbers. Camilla also managed to go to different circles and sections: from art school to capoeira – a Brazilian battle dance. “They have more friends than if they went to school,” says Madina Salieva.- Everywhere according to interests.
At the age of 11, Camilla received a school certificate, and at 12 she entered the Moscow State University of Civil Aviation (MSTU GA) at the Faculty of Applied Mathematics. In the Saliev family, all techies: parents studied at the Bauman Moscow State Technical University. After 11 years, the younger Annissa followed in the footsteps of the eldest.
At the university my whole group was friendly, she says. – Well, they could pin up – put “Rastishka” on the desk, for example. That was funny.Although initially few people knew that I was 12. Outwardly, I seemed a little older, so at first my classmates did not suspect anything. They even made me a headman: for the first two years I went to sort out our group at the dean’s office
However, after graduating from university, Camilla still had to face the disadvantages of accelerated learning – it turned out that society is not so easy to perceive geeks. At 17, she started looking for work, but employers did not take her seriously.Camilla had to add five years to her resume to at least get an interview. This was the only way she managed to get a response.
However, at the interview, Camilla told how old she really was, and she was hired. At 19, she became the head of the analytics department and supervised people who were much older than herself. Now 26 years old, Camilla is a product manager at one of the largest banks in the country. Her younger sister Annissa is completing her studies at the university – she is not yet 16 years old.
“I had no other options. I was lonely ”
Critics of parents raising child prodigies often insist that they only train them for the Unified State Exam, while their pupils master the school curriculum only superficially.
However, even before the USE appeared, there were children who showed phenomenal results in their studies. So, the Soviet prodigy Irina Polyakova at the age of five read 26 volumes of Jules Verne, and at the age of 14 she entered the Faculty of Economics at Moscow State University.
As in the case of the Salievs, the early development of Polyakova is the idea of a mother-teacher. However, unlike Camilla, Irina does not remember her childhood as cheerful and carefree. Polyakova spent all her time reading books. Parents were brought up in severity, and they never praised for the A – this assessment was considered normal in their family, while others were simply not perceived as positive.
If I went to the kindergarten and some sections, made friends with my peers, it’s not a fact that study would be the only outlet for me, ”she says to Lenta.ru “. – I studied so much and read so much, because I had no other options. I was lonely, I did not have brothers and sisters, I had no friends. (…) Basically I stayed at home. it was the Soviet era: cartoons were shown on TV twice a day, there were no computers, no internet, no friends in games
Irina Polyakova calls the idea of fixation the desire of her parents to give her an education, while sacrificing communication with peers. there were no gifted children then, so Irina was actually torn out of real life.“It’s important to pay attention to the child’s social circle,” she says. “Parents, like many Soviet people, were focused on results and achievements, so it was very important to study well.”
Shot: Channel One
The overprotection on the part of her parents did not stop in Polyakova’s life even when she was already studying at Moscow State University. Despite the fact that Irina was 14 years old, her father accompanied her to the doors of the university and met her after pairs. Irina was already a teenager, she began to make friends, and these meetings she recalls as something “absolutely terrible.”“They thought I was still small. Studying is big, and everything else is small, ”says Polyakova.
At the university, I hid my age, – she said. – I said that I don’t want this zoo anymore, when everyone points at me, as if I was strange
As a result, at the age of 18, Polyakova ran away from home and went to work. “I counted the days, like Robinson Crusoe on a desert island, until I was 18,” she admits. Irina Polyakova immediately went to work, rented an apartment, passed her license and bought a car.
Now she works two jobs and is raising a son. Polyakov’s second specialty is a psychologist. “I believe that 90 percent of people come to psychology because of their own problems, a desire to understand themselves and, possibly, help others,” she said.
Polyakova’s son will soon turn 14 years old. She does not expect from him any academic success and super-achievements: neither jumping over the classes, nor a gold medal, nor a red diploma.
“If God gave something, then something else takes away”
It is the ambition of parents that is one of the main aspects of the genius of such children, says the honored teacher of Russia Yevgeny Yamburg.He is sure that children need to be developed commensurate with their age, and nothing else.
“To comprehend” War and Peace “or” Crime and Punishment “, you need life experience. Everything is much more complicated than just learned and answered the exam question. (…) And although Alisa Teplyakova’s dad says that he saved girl time, I believe that abilities need to be expanded in other ways. Learn three foreign languages, for example. There are also dances, music. Like Pushkin: blessed, who was young from a young age. We need to develop not only intellectually, but also socially.To become a mature person and adapted to life “, – Evgeny Yamburg, Honored Teacher of Russia, Academician.
Evgeny Yamburg notes that when gifted children grow up, their” genius “, as a rule, levels off, as happened in the case of Irina She leads an ordinary life and, judging by her communication, does not at all pretend to be special. However, Yamburg emphasizes that “usually if God gave something, then something else takes away.” For example, a happy childhood. For 35 years, geeks turn into ordinary ordinary people.As in figure skating: take off at the age of 14-15, and then the level of performances decreases. Giftedness is, in general, like schizoid. Don’t be afraid of that. But from my own experience I know that the desire to realize their complexes in a child ends in a rather conflictual way, ”the teacher is sure.
Another MSU graduate, 47-year-old Danila P., became an “ordinary ordinary person” in adulthood. Now he works as a costume designer in films and is fond of historical reconstruction – he leads an ordinary modest life, although in childhood he was predicted to have phenomenal success.
According to people who knew him, at the age of seven the boy had already read Hegel – his mother was a specialist in the giftedness of children. As a result, at the age of 12 he graduated from school with a gold medal, and at 13 he entered the Faculty of Journalism of Moscow State University
Despite his age, Danila had no problems with socialization. “Many guys talked to him, some were even friends, he was definitely not in a vacuum,” his classmates recall.
However, the load turned out to be too strong for a 13-year-old child, and gradually he began to study in C grades.After specializing in journalism, Danila P. went to graduate school at another university, but he never defended his thesis. Then he worked as a policeman, security guard, sewed a military uniform and finally got down to reconstruction.
“Once a teacher of journalism at Moscow State University called the police: the boys were playing football in the courtyard and with a ball they broke her window,” recalls the inspector of the course where Danila studied. – Imagine her amazement when the policeman who rang at the door turned out to be her former student – the very same Danila, whom she taught in her first year!
According to fellow student Danila, journalist Evgeny A., the stories of Danila and Alisa Teplyakova are in many ways similar. “They tried to make something great out of him, as now from this poor girl, but as a result, nothing came of him,” the interlocutor of Lenta.ru summed up.
“There is a great risk of breaking”
As for Alisa Teplyakova, last month she turned nine years old. In an interview with the RBC TV channel, she said that in her free time from school, she most of all likes to play – more than a normal desire for her age.However, on September 1, this child will be initiated into a student in the main building of Moscow State University on Lengori, and then – five years of specialization at the Faculty of Psychology. At the same time, Alice plans to complete her studies in two years. Her father has no doubts that Alice can do that.
According to the doctor of political sciences, sociologist Alexander Chumikov – also, incidentally, a graduate of Moscow State University – the presence of outstanding abilities in a child does not guarantee success in adult life. According to him, such geeks as Danila P.and Alisa Teplyakova, “there is a great risk of breaking.”
“The fact that Alice now has better abilities in comparison with her peers does not mean at all that this ratio will continue in the future. As she grows up, she can equal the level of her peers. There are many such cases,” – Alexander Chumikov, sociologist.
Moreover, Chumikov is convinced that Alice does not need a formal education yet, since she will not be able to work anyway (her father said that her daughter would decide for herself whether she wanted to work or not).If Alice receives a diploma in two years, then at the time of graduation she will be no more than 11 years old.
Alice will study to be a psychologist, Chumikov argues. – In the average version, this is a specialist who counts on a clientele of not self-sufficient, weak people. Those who need outside help. Imagine an adult comes for psychological help: “Doctor, what should I do?” And a child sits in front of him … Ideally, a person should develop without this: on the basis of life experience, acquired contacts
Moscow State University said that if Alice enters, then all the necessary conditions will be provided for her.The rector of the university, Viktor Sadovnichy, even suggested providing the girl with a teacher-psychologist. Before Alisa’s admission, there were no such young students at Moscow State University. The press service of the psychology department “Lente.ru” clarified that the youngest freshmen are now 16-17 years old.
Shot: Kultura TV channel
“And this little girl walks among adult students, even if they take care of her. Of course, she will not feel fully there. This is obvious, ”says honored teacher Yamburg.
Expert of the National Popular Front, director of the National Education Resources Foundation (NRO) Tatyana Polovkova also predicted problems for Alice during her studies at the psychology department.According to her, it is impossible to abolish developmental psychology. A nine-year-old girl will somehow find it difficult to study among people who are twice her age. However, the girl’s father is sure that communication with peers has nothing to do with education at all.
“The issues of studying at the institute have nothing to do with the social circle. What should she do among students? Drink with them? What will it be difficult for her to do among students? She goes to Moscow State University to study. Study! Socialization is her age.”Therefore, I do not see a problem “, – Evgeny Teplyakov, father of Alisa Teplyakova.
In addition to Alisa, the Teplyakov family has six more children: Heimdall, Leia, Terra, Ailung, Feilung and Theseus. Seven-year-old Heimdall, the second oldest child, received certificate for grade 9. The boy will go to the exam depending on whether he “pulls or not,” the parents say. Alice’s successes (as well as failures) will be monitored by the whole country for some time, we can say for sure.
Strength of fragile women’s shoulders. MMA fighters’ wives
Apart from the wives of the military, there are only a few groups of those who can cope with distance, physical and psychological pressure, a grueling training regime, and the women who support their partners on this difficult path are the wives of MMA fighters. The octagon attracts, but also scares away, it scares away with the result of each fight, because it is impossible to predict it.
No matter how hard their husbands train, the wives of the fighters wait and watch as their husbands injure their bodies.For some fighters, victory can mean financial well-being, while defeat can undermine the financial situation. The public sees them bloody and beaten, proving their fanaticism and dedication to the sport. While wives and family members are waiting for them in their preparation rooms or thousands of miles from their homes, fearing and admiring their husbands’ profession. Some fans forget that their favorite fighters are people. Despite this, we idealize them as strong people, but there is a force that makes them even more majestic.More than their trainers and mentors, the wives and girls of professional MMA fighters are strong in heart and soul. They are surrounded by the masculine, incomprehensible, bloody sport that they married, I hope this article will not only be informative, but also increase your respect for these women. Unsurprisingly, most of the information related to the wives of MMA fighters is the “Who’s sexier?” and are deprived of penetration into their lives. In this article, I want to tell you more about the wives of the fighters. Humanizing your heroes will not weaken them, but increase their inner courage to stay in tune with their inner strength.Lots of MMA fans impersonate their favorite fighters as the greatest of all, arguing for hours about why their technique, punching, grappling, and other skills outshine all others. But above all these factors is the heart. The ability of fighters to show that they are people is captivating.
Lyoto Machida with sons
It must be hard for fighters to shower and care for young children after a long day in the gym.But their heart and mind are always close to their families, despite the upcoming battle for which they are preparing. In an interview with Robin Black, Mark Hominik said that if his daughter comes to his fight at UFC 129 against Jose Aldo, then he will not be able to fight, because all his thoughts will be with his baby. To explain what is going on in the soul of the wives of the fighters, let’s turn to Jen Palaszewski and Melissa Pellegrino. Jen Palaszewski is the wife of Bart Palaszewski. They began their courtship when Jen met Bart at Curran Martial Arts.
Jen said: “I am a massage therapist and I worked with some fighters because I wanted to work in sports massage. Bart and I quickly became friends, and I was attracted by his friendly nature. We had a daughter in August 2007, and we got married in November 2008. I never insisted on getting married, because this is a big change, and so we just had fun and fulfilled our responsibilities as parents, and the wedding came to the place. I can tell you now that we love each other more than ever. “
And Jen is absolutely right, women shouldn’t insist on a wedding, it scares guys off! But there are more terrible things in life! Jen says: “MMA has turned my life upside down. I never saw myself as the wife of an MMA fighter, mainly because I was not interested in MMA before I met Bart. There is so much work that no one really warns about to lay down on you as the wife of an MMA fighter. ”
Lots of people praise the position of the fighters’ wives and think they have an easy life, but they have to go through a lot of crazy things.Jen talks about biggest fan misunderstanding:
“The most misconception is… everything! (laughs). It’s fun to go into battle and even more joyful when he wins, but people don’t think about all that hard work, all the cooking, all the massages, the prep talks, the laundry (laughs). All this daily shit that we deal with. People see after-party photos and highlights and don’t see most of the dirty work. ” For example, Jen deals with the complexities of relationships that some women cannot cope with: physical stress, media attention, and crazy (and very critical, outspoken) fans.
Bart and Jen Palaszewski
Melissa Pellegrino, wife of MMA fighter Kurt Pellegrino says:
“I try not to define myself as a ‘fighter’s wife’, but what I hear from time to time is that I married Kurt for money, which is completely stupid. Kurt had absolutely no job when I met him, and when he wanted to leave his full-time job (with health benefits) to train all the time and get into the UFC, I thought he was crazy.It ended pretty well, but it was definitely a scary time. Kurt is more impulsive than me, and I’m more down to earth. We are completely different, but we balance each other! ”
Along with many other wives of athletes, the misconception that women date and marry athletes because of their paychecks is another misconception that these incredibly intelligent and independent women will make public their personalities. Now the UFC is becoming more popular and the wives of MMA fighters need to feel like their lives are changing even more than they did before.
Jen explains: “UFC on FOX was incredible and it gives a lot of hope that the sport will be even more recognized and respected. I’m sure New York will legalize MMA soon and I’m sure we’ll celebrate. ” Melissa Pellegrino also states that “I think New York needs to keep up with the times. MMA is the future of combat sports and I think they should be aware of this. It can also bring in money, which they somehow contribute to the economy. I think in the end they will go through the legislation, it will just take time.»
The Pellegrino spouses have their own MMA academy
And also with the popularization of MMA in North America, the image of the fighter as a brutal Neanderthal is completely unfounded. Melissa claims:
“I know Kurt, he is completely different inside and outside the cage. Real professionals know when to switch on and off, and especially endure it. Kurt is incredibly gentle outside of combat. “.
Jen Palaszewski says the cruel image is “nothing more than a relic of the past.Now I feel that fighters look like athletes, not just “fighters”. Jen continues to defend Bart’s profession from people who are not MMA proficient.
She explains:
“Sometimes people can be ignorant, but I will not stumble in my path. A lot of people just can’t understand that someone can make a living by fighting and I’m not going to share my financial stories with them. ”
And therefore, for fighters of the caliber of Georges Saint-Pierre, whose salary for a fight is incredibly high, everything is given quite hard.Most often, lists like “Who is sexier or not?” Float on the net. This is how Jen and Melissa talk about what they think of the forums and sites that make these lists. Melissa states that:
“All kinds of websites that list the wives of MMA fighters relying on their attractiveness have no idea who those wives really are, and that they only care if the fighter has a“ sexy ”wife or girlfriend. Most of the other wives of MMA fighters I have met over the years are super pretty girls, sometimes not quite so, but most are really pretty women regardless of their looks. ”
Jen says: “I’m sure people judge by looks, because unfortunately that’s what the media does.It definitely makes wives pretend to be who they are not. ”
Melissa and Kurt Pellegrino had a very romantic, beautiful love story in high school. The gift of being together for so long and overcoming trials and difficulties only increases respect for this magnificent woman. Melissa recounts:
“I met Kurt in 1994, our first year of high school. Eventually, we started dating in high school, but we’ve been friends since 1994.After we graduated from high school, we both went to different colleges. Then I realized that I wanted to marry him, because I didn’t want to be away from him. In the end, we made different tuition contracts and we went to college together in 1999 (Melissa has a finance degree from The College of NJ). We got married in 2006. ”
Kurt and Mellisa Pellegrino
When she became Kurt’s wife, some interesting changes took place in her life.
“MMA definitely affects my life, both for the good and for the bad. The bad side is, this career requires a tremendous amount of effort. Kurt trains twice a day, six days a week. When he is at home, he rests and there is simply not much time for family. He skips holidays and birthdays due to training / fighting and this is often tough. I know everyone has a job that separates them from their families and that’s life, but this is the kind of job where you can’t just “quit your job.” The fighting is so exciting, especially Kurt.Even when his day is over, he still thinks about fighting, developing game plans and the like. On the other hand, Kurt has been with the UFC for six years, which made life easier financially. We can buy a beautiful home or open our own MMA academy. I can stay at home with our children and no longer work from 9 to 5, which is simply irreplaceable. ” Melissa is a hardworking mom who can be called a “full-time mom. This way I can truly look after them, shop, clean and so on.I also help our MMA academy develop, but I have an assistant who helps me a lot! I also own my own car paint shop, and I am there three days a week. ”
So Melissa has a very busy life! She has so many worries on her shoulders, even though she says she is a “full-time mom”, she also owns a salon and helps with the academy, she seems like a Wonder Woman on a 24/7 schedule. Women like Jen and Melissa are admirable. They work hard and support the family despite the madness they handle brilliantly while their husbands train.
Melissa talks about her attitude towards her husband’s fans:
“Most of the time I love Kurt’s fans. 90% of them support and inspire. But there is another 10% who are simply ruthless. They can be so angry and hurtful, but I’m sure they just do it because they want a response from you (for example on Twitter), but I just never understand why they are so worried about these fighters, they are just like ordinary people … I even get tweets on the day of Kurt’s fight where they wish my husband was crippled in battle and our whole family got sick, seriously ?? I will never understand this.I spoke to Frankie Edgar’s dad a week or more ago, and he told me and Kurt that Frankie’s last fight in Houston was booed, booed all the way to the cage, and then when he won, they all started hurting … CRAZY !!! Sometimes they just piss off. They love you when you win, but when you lose they forget. And that’s why all that matters to Kurt is his family and friends. The fans are nice, but they come and go! »
Jen was short: “This is sport, be respectful.I hate it when people boo, it’s rude and I don’t look at them. “
Kurt Pellegrino shines when his family is near him
We all saw at UFC 140 that when Jang Sung “Korean Zombie” Jung and John “Bones” Jones went into battle, they were booed. Despite this, when they won the victory, the hall was filled with an approving hum. It is unpleasant when fighters are booed because they train hard for their fight. Plus, when this spectacle is watched by family members of fighters like Jen, Melissa, fathers, mothers, blood brothers and sisters are sick and proud of their fighter.It is difficult to imagine the feelings of a wife who is rooting for her husband, while the whole audience booes him. Surely you want to punch every whistler in the face. You need to be a special woman to cope with your husband’s lifestyle and professional choices. Melissa Pellegrino discusses whether this implies a different lifestyle than ordinary married couples.
She replied: “Oh yes, 100%. You have to know and accept the self-sacrifice these guys are making.You really need to know how to manage their moods and how to act during training camps and on weigh-in day and fight day. I think this is inherent in special, not selfish people. ” And Melissa isn’t the only one who thinks so …
Danny Castillo, UFC fighter tells us how his girlfriend is his best friend and what a wonderful partner she is to support him. He says:
“She walked with me all this way and it was full of ups and downs.With me winning a little, then losing twice, then winning a few times again, it’s all emotionally devastating for her, and it must be hard to see me go through this struggle. And I probably get a little moody as I get closer to the fight. She tells me that sometimes I am not here when we talk, and that is because the only thing I can think of is victory. And it can be hard at times to listen to how her day at school went or what she did when I think about someone punching me in the head.But, thank God, she understands this. It has been a difficult journey over the past few years and she has tried to figure it out and make my life as stress-free as possible by cooking for me, it’s a huge help. ” Danny Castillo’s insight opens our eyes to how psychologically difficult it is for a wife to get ready for a fight. While one is exercising physically and psychologically, the other must also show understanding and fortitude. The girls and wives of the fighters keep the home and the relationship, while the fighter focuses on the coming battle.Therefore, to some extent, the women who are next to these fighters are themselves warriors, and their role is to psychologically and emotionally prepare their fighter. “
Don’t be scared! Danny Castillo in the arms of his fan
One of the funniest people in the UFC has an incredibly talented and intelligent wife. She has won 5 Emmy Awards for producing and has also worked for FOX NEWS and CNN. She is now the PR manager of MGM Resorts International and after working in television for 14 years, she is a huge inspiration for women who want to be reporters, producers, or managers.She was strong as she rode to the hospital with Stefan and Forrest after The Ultimate Fighter season 1 finale. It’s hard to imagine the psychological stress a wife or girlfriend experiences when watching a fight. With a fantastic career and an existing PR manager position, life should be interesting for Stefan and Andrea. Since Andrea came to the gym and he became her personal trainer, all that can be said … where can girls go and find a personal trainer / future husband? After we found out about Jen, Melissa and Andrea, we can only marvel at these intelligent, loving, understanding women.
Stefan and Andrea Bonnard
On UFC on FOX Primetime, Kane’s father Velasquez has a greater focus on his legacy as an important factor in the development of Kane and his wonderful family. His wife Michelle and daughter Coral also participated in it, and it seemed that these fighters were fighting precisely because they love what they do. Michelle says that Kane trains very often:
“He takes time for her to make her feel special, because it really matters when he is not at home often.They are really very attached to each other. ”
It’s amazing how hard it was for Michelle to comfort and cheer Kane after being defeated by Junior Dos Santos. On Primetime, Michelle continues:
“Being the wife of a UFC fighter can be tough at times. It’s just hard. You see the injuries on their bodies and you know you just want your husband to be safe when he goes to work. He’s passionate about sports, he’s passionate about what he does, and he’s good at it.So, he just focuses on the things that he does, he just gives it all his energy. I’m glad to be here to support him and take his mind away from things when he’s ready. We just don’t talk about fighting, it all stays in the hall. ”
The Velasquez family on the beach is no different from the others
Being the wife of a fighter means having not only willpower and body, but also soul and heart. These wives are examples of hardworking women who walk alongside their husbands to help them become even greater.
Wives of MMA fighters are the strength that supports MMA fighters. Their passion, heart, mind, withstands media criticism, distance, physical and psychological fatigue with honor. We should be grateful to them for the fact that they keep their hearth, help their husbands, endure all the hardships. Because they are the life companions of our beloved fighters and fans should respect them no less than the fighters themselves. I hope that after reading this article, you will understand at least a little about their life and the various difficulties they deal with.And that they are not just “wives of athletes” who cash in on their husbands’ contracts. MMA fighters’ wives are beautiful, smart, and can kick your ass.
The article was prepared by Ekaterina Lisenkova
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