Online High School For Student Athletes
NCAA-approved Online High School programs offer invaluable flexibility, enabling student-athletes to manage their training and academic commitments more effectively. For example, this program is a more self-paced environment and accommodates rigorous training and competition schedules.
Additionally, these programs allow students to take courses and earn college credits while still in high school. All in all, they help the student-athlete stay on track for college with transferable credits and support NCAA eligibility requirements.
NCAA Eligibility Requirements
To maintain NCAA eligibility, every student-athlete must consistently complete their coursework and engage with teachers at designated checkpoints. They must also register with the NCAA Eligibility Center to ensure compliance with amateurism standards and academic readiness. Additionally, they must adhere to guidelines regarding core courses, GPA, and test scores, including taking a minimum number of core courses to qualify for Division I or II colleges
Online Education Criteria
To be NCAA-approved, an online high school program must meet the NCAA’s definition of a core course. Courses undergo rigorous review and approval by the NCAA, ensuring they are accredited and provide a challenging curriculum. Any course aiming for Division I or II college eligibility must also be listed on the NCAA Eligibility Center website.
Students will be required to enroll in a certain amount of classes per semester. Plus, all core courses are a full semester long. The graduation requirements do not vary much from traditional public high school. NCAA-approved courses must cover essential subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, and World Languages. These courses are also listed on the NCAA Eligibility Center website.
Students must have a life or school counselor to meet with occasionally. Regardless of expectations, you will want to meet with a counselor for peace of mind and to ensure that all requirements are being met for your child.
NCAA Amateurism Rules
Alongside education requirements, a student-athlete must meet eligibility requirements for Amateurism. This section requires the student-athlete to list prior athletic history, including travel teams and other prestigious showcase competitions. However, there are certain rules like “No paid media appearances” that can be a little tricky. Because almost everyone has internet access, especially in America, it is important to note that even a monetized YouTube or other social media channel can violate this rule.
Types Of Online High School Programs
An online high school program is flexible. Many offer asynchronous daily instruction, allowing students to learn at their own pace. Enhanced learning is facilitated through interactive tools, videos, and simulations. All ncaa approved courses are tailored to meet individual needs. Plus, with online courses students can access their coursework from anywhere globally.
Students can choose from a range of programs, including full-time online diplomas, part-time courses, dual enrollment, advanced placement classes, and credit recovery options.
Full-Time Diploma: Comprehensive online high school education.
Dual Enrollment: Opportunities to earn college credits while in high school.
Advanced Placement Courses: Honors and College-level coursework for high school students.
Credit Recovery: Programs designed to help students make up lost credits.
Key Features To Consider
When evaluating online schools, consider their accreditation and NCAA approval status, flexibility, interactive learning resources, support services, and available financial aid options.
Financial aid may be available at various online high schools, along with scholarships and grants specifically for student-athletes. Payment plans can also be arranged.
Support services for student-athletes with athletic advisors and college counselors. Find coaches that provide support for balancing athletic training and academic study.
Resources are available to help students thrive in their online learning environment.
Student-Athlete Success
Numerous student-athletes have successfully navigated online high school programs, moving on to compete at the collegiate level. Many have earned credits for college courses or advanced placement through these programs. Further, they demonstrated how a high school diploma done correctly, can facilitate both academic and athletic achievement, all while meeting NCAA guidelines.
Big River Academy
COVID-19 disrupted our high school students’ learning environments, but it sparked a positive change: a focus on developing high-quality online, full-semester courses. At Big River Academy, we encourage our staff and teachers to help your child thrive. We create structure and provide a schedule or routine through our online courses, mirroring the experience of traditional public schools.
We also offer engaging electives for your athlete, ensuring they excel not just in sports but also as honors students, making them competitive candidates for any university.
For your peace of mind, we provide ongoing guidance to you and your family throughout this journey. Too often, talented athletes miss out on college sports due to academic struggles caused by fast-paced courses or limited teacher access. At Big River Academy, we eliminate these barriers and prepare your sons and daughters for their desired universities.
