Participating in Athletics as a seventh or eighth grader and Mixed Competition in Interscholastic Athletics
Requests to participate on an athletic team as a 7th or 8th grader will not be permitted after the first Freshman/JV/Varsity practice has taken place; meaning, the student must contact the Athletic Office prior to the first day of practice. It is strongly encouraged that students interested in playing up should contact the Varsity Coach at minimum one month prior to the start of the season in order to determine eligibility. Once the Coach shares with the Athletic Office their desire for a student to test-up, the student should reach out to Dr. Serra for assessment.
Athletic Placement Process for Participation in Athletics as a Grade 7-8 Student
The State Education Department of New York and New York State Public High School Association permit grade 7 and 8 students the opportunity to participate in senior high school athletic teams. Effective July 29, 2026, students in either grade 7 or 8 wishing to try-out for a high school sport are only required to gain the endorsement from the High School Varsity Coach of the sport they wish to try out for and the Director of Athletics and School District.
In addition to the aforementioned requirements, the Clarkstown Central School District Board of Education designates ALL sports as Athletic Placement Sports with the following two conditions:
- Students in grades 7-8 are only eligible for APP consideration if NO cuts are being made on the freshman, junior varsity or varsity program they wish to join.
- Students in grades 7-8 are only permitted to compete at the freshman, junior varsity or varsity level if the modified program will have enough participants to field a team.
** Participation on a Freshman, JV, or Varsity Team may require limited early dismissal from Felix Festa in order to attend contests at the High School level. Parents are required to submit early release notes on the days of early release. Students should reach out to teachers of classes they will miss due to an early release in order to gain missed work. Early release from Felix Festa to attend High School practice sessions is not permitted.
For more detailed information view School Board Policy #5280 or NYS Commissioner's Regulations
IMPORTANT NOTE: Prior to trying out for the team, the student is required to sign-up for the sport via our online registration system. The online registration link can be found on the school website. Once medical clearance has been obtained and approved by the school nurse, the student may show-up and try-out on the first day of practice.
Mixed Competition on Interscholastic Athletic Teams
Similar State Education policies and procedures are in place for students interested in participating on athletic teams not offered for their particular sex (Ex., female athlete wishing to participate on men's football team, male athlete wishing to participate on female field hockey team, etc.). Students wishing to pursue this opportunity are first required to gain Superintendent approval. Upon approval the student need only register for the sport they wish to participate on using the District's rSchool Sports Registration program, which involves:
- Gaining parent/guardian consent.
- Providing a current health examination.
- Obtaining medical clearance from the Office of Health Services services for the student to participate in athletics.
