Class of 2022, 2023, and 2024

COVID 19 has presented unique challenges to high school student athletes who want to go to college, who desire to use their academic prowess and athletic ability to help pay for college. They are faced with unique challenges.

1. Online learning is different and does not serve every student well and can negatively impact a student’s GPA. Learning in a classroom is extremely critical.

2. The top questions from college coaches regarding high school student athletes and recruiting those young men and women to college are:

• What is his/her GPA
• Have they taken honors/AP courses
• Test scores ACT/SAT
• In short, grades matter more than athletic ability

3. Young men in particular tend to be visual learners and in-class participation and interaction is critical to learning.

4. States cancelling and rescheduling high school sports seasons puts student athletes in those states at significant disadvantages when other states have not cancelled or moved sports seasons. It is not fair to student athletes in those states.

What can a student athlete do to thrive during the COVID 19 cancellations?

1. Student Athletes who are rising 10th–12th grade students should consider reclassification. Reclassification can only be done in the Private School sector where a student athlete can play 5 Varsity seasons or have 10 semesters of eligibility. By contrast, the public high school system in Virginia, allows 4 varsity seasons, or 8 semesters of eligibility from the students first day as a freshman on campus in public high school.

2. What is reclassification?

• A student athlete repeats a grade prior to the beginning of his/her 12th grade year, taking additional courses to bolster their transcript. Reclass allows improving one’s GPA and allows the taking of additional classes to better position him/ her for college acceptance.

• In the private school sector this means that the student athlete also gains a year of eligibility for athletic competition and improves their opportunities.

• Reclassification of a student: A student wishing to repeat a grade (or reclassify) must do so for non-athletic reasons and in compliance with all conference requirements, as applicable. The change in grade status must be reflected in all school records and publications as soon as practicable following the date of reclassification. A student may not complete the graduation requirements of a school for any diploma category and receive athletic eligibility in the following year. The student may not be a high school senior. The student shall not have reached the age of 19 on or before August 1 of the school year in which he or she wishes to compete.

3. Reclassified student athletes have the option in their extra year of high school to take honors classes, take dual enrollment classes, improve their GPA, bolster their transcripts, and if needed retake the SAT and/or ACT to improve their chances of getting accepted into college.

4. Find a school and a program that will believe in you! Here at St. Michael’s, we have everything you need.

5. Get back the year/season you lost! Take control of your future.