Participation in school activities is a privilege. School activities provide the benefits of promoting additional interests and ability in the students during their school years and for their lifetime.
Students will have an opportunity to participate in a school activity unless the activity is not offered or the student cannot participate for disciplinary reasons. If the activity is an intramural or interscholastic athletic activity, students of the opposite sex will have a comparable opportunity for participation. Comparable opportunity does not guarantee boys and girls will be allowed to play on each other's teams when there are athletic activities available that will allow both boys and girls to reap the benefits of school activities, which are the promotion of additional interests and abilities in the students.
The North Tama County Community School District supports the option of eighth grade students participating in varsity level athletic contests only. Varsity level competition is defined as a starter on the varsity team or an individual that will play more than 50% of all contests. In addition, varsity level competition competes in sanctioned, post season events for any given activity.
Students in eighth grade will have the option of participating in varsity level athletic contests with the approval of the school district eligibility committee. The first step in the process is for the Varsity Head Coach to acquire written parent permission and approval to proceed with the consideration of their eighth grade student participating at the Varsity level. The process will continue with a recommendation made to the Activities Director from the Head Varsity Coach of the sport in question. At this point, a few guiding questions will be documented to determine the next steps. Following this recommendation and as needed, a committee of five individuals will be formed, including the athlete's parent. Any eighth-grade student will be eligible to participate in varsity level athletic contests with the approval of the committee. An eighth-grade student who is allowed to participate at the high school level can no longer participate on an eighth-grade team in the same sport during the same season. Students may not compete in both programs during the same sport season. Any eighth-grade student participating in high school athletics must meet the annual athletic physical examination requirements and academic requirements applicable to all high school level student athletes. The superintendent, in collaboration with the high school principal and athletic director, will develop administrative regulations and procedures necessary to administer this policy.
Student activity events must be approved by the superintendent unless they involve unusual travel expenses, in which case the board will take action. The events must not disrupt the education program or other school district operations.
A high school student who participates in school sponsored athletics may participate in a non-school sponsored sport during the same season.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations for each school activity. These regulations will include, but not be limited to, when physical examinations will be required, how and when parents will be informed about the risk of the activity, academic requirements, and proof of insurance on the student participating in certain activities. Students wanting to participate in school activities must meet the requirements set out by the school district for participation in the activity.
Legal Reference: 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681-1683; 1685-1686.
34 C.F.R. Pt. 106.41
Iowa Code §§ 216.9; 280.13-.14.
281 I.A.C. 12.3(6), 12.6., 36.8.
I.C. Iowa Code Description
Iowa Code § 216.9 Unfair/Discriminatory Practices
Iowa Code § 280 Uniform School Requirements
I.A.C. Iowa Administrative Code Description
281 I.A.C. 12.3 Administration
281 I.A.C. 12.6 General Accreditation Standards - Activity Program
281 I.A.C. 36.8 Eligibility Requirements
U.S.C. - United States Code Description
20 U.S.C. §§ 1681 Education - Sex
20 U.S.C. §§ 1685 Education - Authority
C.F.R. - Code of Federal Regulations Description
34 C.F.R. Pt. 106.41 Education - Athletics
Cross References Description
507.09 Wellness
507.09-R(1) Wellness - Regulation
Approved: 7/18/2016, 9/20/2021, 2/25/2026, 8/19/2026
Reviewed: 7/22/2026
Revised: 7/22/202
