ATHLETE/PARENT HANDBOOK AND ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Atlas Schools

SY2025 - 2026

ATHLETE/PARENT HANDBOOK

AND

ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Atlas Athletics Snap Website  

STATEMENT OF CODE OF ETHICS

COLORADO HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION

In order to be of maximum effectiveness in serving and fostering the education of the students so entrusted to us and in promoting and supplementing the regular curriculum, it is the duty of all concerned with our secondary athletic and activities programs to:

1. Cultivate an awareness that participation in athletics and activities is part of the total educational process, and as such, the coach/advisor should neither seek nor expect academic privileges for the participants. 


2. Emphasize the proper ideals of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and fair play as they relate to the lifetime impact on the participants.

3. Develop a working awareness and understanding of all rules and guidelines governing competition, both in letter and intent. 

4. Recognize that the purpose of athletics and activities is to promote the physical, mental, moral, social, and emotional well-being of the individual participants. 

5. Avoid any practice or technique that would endanger the present or future welfare or safety of any participant. 

6. Adhere to policies that do not force or encourage students to specialize or restrict them from participation in a variety of activities. 

7. Refuse to disparage an opponent, an official, an administrator, or spectator in any aspect of the activity.

8. Strongly encourage the development of proper health habits: the non-use of chemicals, including alcohol, steroids, tobacco in any form, and other mood-altering substances. 

9. Exemplify proper self-control at all times, accepting adverse decisions without public display of emotion or dissatisfaction with the officials or judges. 

10. Encourage all to judge the true success of the athletic and activities programs on the basis of the attitude of the participants and spectators, rather than on the basis of a win or loss.

Colorado Department of Education

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities, including athletic programs, that receive Federal financial assistance.  Schools that receive Federal funding have a responsibility under Title IX to provide equal athletic opportunities to all students, regardless of sex. Title IX requires schools to effectively accommodate the athletic interests and abilities of their students, regardless of sex, and provide equal opportunity in the benefits, opportunities, and treatment provided for their athletic teams.

Athlete’s Handbook

Philosophy and Values

Athletics are an important part of the Atlas Schools educational program. The core purpose of the Atlas Schools athletic program is to offer students education-based opportunities to extend the learning experiences outside the classroom. These experiences aid in the overall growth of student-athletes by promoting academic achievement, skill development, life skills, and citizenship. The athletic program creates an environment that strives for excellence by encouraging student participation, supporting academic progress, and promoting physical, social, emotional, and character development while creating a sense of community.

GENERAL ATHLETIC PROCEDURES

  1. Athletes are expected to conduct themselves in a commendable manner at all times in the school, classroom, during athletic contests, toward opponents, officials, and spectators. The use of profanity is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. Remember, you are an ambassador of Atlas Schools.

  1. Athletic safety is a number one priority. Participants must be aware that other athletes’ physical safety is important and should avoid aggressive action, which could injure another athlete.

  1. Athletes are required to attend all scheduled practices and meetings during an established sports season. If a situation arises where a student is unable to attend a practice or competition, the validity of the reason shall be determined by the head coach. In all cases, the coach must be notified prior to an event being missed.

  1. No athlete may participate in any athletic event, competition, or practice if they have not attended a full and normal class schedule on the day of the event.

  1. Athletes who are suspended from school may not practice or compete during the period of suspension and may not attend extracurricular activities.

  1. Athletes who are suspended from school as the result of a physical altercation will be considered for immediate removal from the sport they are participating in at the time of the incident. The same athlete will be put on probation for the next sports season they participate in.   

  1. Athletic equipment issued to the student-athlete is the property of Atlas Schools. All equipment must be returned at the end of each sports season. Athletes will not be cleared to participate in another sport until all athletic equipment is returned or all financial responsibilities of the equipment is paid in full.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION/COMMUNICATION

Athletic involvement is highly emotional and very time-consuming. Sometimes, conflicts arise between students, coaches, and occasionally parents. However, the student’s interest is best served when each participant understands the position of the other. This understanding can only be accomplished by open and honest communication. When conflicts or issues arise, it is important that they be addressed immediately and as directly as possible, so that they can be promptly resolved.

Students and their parents should use the following process as a guideline when seeking resolution to conflicts or issues between an athlete and a coach:

First Step: Contacting the Coach

a.      The athlete should wait at least 24 hours before presenting the conflict/issue to the coach. If personal contact is not practical, a student may ask his/her team captain to approach the coach. If the personal or captain route is not possible, contact may be made by the athlete’s parents at an appropriate time. In order for the contact to be as productive as possible, times that athletes, captains, or parents should avoid are:

i.      Prior to, during, or immediately following a contest

ii.    During an active practice session

iii.  When other students/athletes are present or when it would be readily visible to others that the discussion is taking place

iv.  When it is apparent that there is no sufficient time to allow for a complete discussion.

 Second Step: Contacting the Athletic Director

a.      If a satisfactory solution is not reached through direct contact with the coach, the student and/or parent should contact the athletic director. The coach should be informed that this contact is going to be made. In this case, the athletic director will schedule a meeting with all parties involved (student-athlete, parent, coach, etc.). The student-athlete is required to attend any meeting involving the coach and/or athletic director.

 Third Step: Contacting the Principal

a.      If there is still not a satisfactory resolution, the student or parent may contact the high school principal. The athletic director should be informed that this contact is going to be made.

PRE-SEASON SPORTS PREPARATION

Every athlete, no matter what level they are participating, must complete all forms prior to participation in any activity. Forms include the following:

  1. Sports Physical must be current (physicals are valid for 365 days from exam date) & turned in to the athletic office.

  1. Eligibility Clearance form must be completed and turned in to the Athletic Director

  1. All forms must be completed online on Arbiter Athlete or turned in a copy to the Athletic Director

  1. All athletic fees must be paid for athlete to be cleared and eligible for participation

TRYOUTS

Tryouts for programs are open to all students provided they meet the standards of:

  1. Academic Eligibility

  1. Registration completed online

  1. Basic physical/health qualifications (medical history & physical) turned in to the athletic director

Students wishing to participate in athletics must complete online registration with Snap Manage, turn in an updated physical to the athletic department, as well as an Atlas Injury Form.

USE THIS LINK TO REGISTER WITH SNAP MANAGE

In some sports, more students try out than can be kept on a team. When this situation occurs, cutting is necessary. Cutting students is a difficult process, and all coaches realize that sensitivity and communication are necessary.

It is the coach’s responsibility to evaluate and communicate with each athlete during the tryout period and decide which students will be placed on the team. Athletes who are cut from a program are encouraged to speak with the coaching staff about the reason for not making a team. Coach’s email addresses are posted on the Atlas athletic website for athletes and parents to use in case there are questions. Students who are not selected for a team are encouraged to join another athletic program if possible.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION

  1. Students must be cleared by the athletic department & all athletic fines paid in full.

  1. Daily Commitment:

  1. During tryouts and after team selection, the head coach will communicate and explain expectations related to practice times and locations, and game schedules. Students are expected to make at least a six-day, two-to-three hours daily commitment to the team each week

  1. Weekend or evening practices/games are common; students should expect regular involvement during these times.

  2. Students who anticipate being absent from team activities for an extended period of time due to family vacation plans, religious obligations, or school-sanctioned activities are expected to contact their coaches to discuss absences prior to making plans. If the coach is unavailable, please contact the athletic department.

  3. Practices may be conducted during school breaks.

  4. Athletes must attend 75% of the school day to be eligible for practices and/or competition. Excused absences (doctor’s note, school trip, etc.) do not count against the athlete’s absences.

  1. If you have an afterschool detention, you will not be participating in a contest scheduled that day.

DRESS CODE:

  • Bottoms: Athletic shorts (elastic waist, work-out shorts, or basketball shorts), sweatpants, joggers, track pants, leggings, or yoga pants are generally suitable.

  • Tops: T-shirts, sweatshirts, and performance jackets with moisture-wicking fabrics are good choices.

  • Shoes: Athletic shoes or sports sneakers are required.

  • Coverage:  Clothing should cover undergarments and provide adequate coverage of the body for the school environment.  

QUITTING A SPORT

Any athlete who quits one sport may not go to another sport until the season of the sport he/she is concluded. The only exception to the rule is if the two coaches involved mutually agree the change would be the best decision for the athlete. In this case, the approval of the athletic director is required.

Athlete quitting policy:

  1. Quitting is not an acceptable practice. Athletes are encouraged to always finish what they started.

  1. Any athlete who has decided to quit must schedule a meeting with the athletic director and the head coach of the sport.

  1. Any athlete not completing the entire season will not be eligible for a varsity letter in that sport.

  1. Any athlete who quits any sport, at any time, will not be allowed to compete in any other sports until that season is completed. Athletes will be granted a one-week grace period (beginning the first day of practice) before final commitment is made. At the conclusion of the one-week grace period, the athlete is committed to the sport

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND THEFT


The use or possession of tobacco, drugs (including steroids), or alcoholic beverages on or off school property in any form will not be tolerated. Athletes who violate the training rules may be required to attend all practices, if not suspended from school, but may not dress in team uniform or compete in any scrimmages or interscholastic competition. Theft of any personal belongings will not be tolerated.


Violations will be subject to the following disciplinary actions:

  1. The first violation of these rules will result in a minimum one-contest suspension. If the violation occurs between seasons, the suspension will carry into the next season of participation.

  1. A second violation occurring in the same school year will result in a suspension from all sports for the remainder of the school year.

These represent the minimum suspensions for violation of this policy. In cases of greater severity, school administration may increase the suspension up to and including suspension from all interscholastic participation.


HAZING

Hazing is the practice of rituals and other activities involving harassment, abuse, or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a group. Encouraging, aiding, or engaging in hazing is prohibited.

Students engaging in hazing will be subject to the following disciplinary actions:

  1. The first violation will result in a suspension from athletics for the remainder of the sports season.

  1. A second violation occurring in the same school year will result in a suspension from athletics for the remainder of the school year.

  1. A third violation occurring over the court of the student-athlete’s career will result in full suspension from interscholastic participation.

These represent the minimum suspensions for violation of this policy. In cases of greater severity, school administration may increase the suspension up to and including suspension from all interscholastic participation.

TRANSPORTATION

  1. Athletes must travel with coaches in district vehicles to/from any athletic contest sanctioned by CHSAA.

  1. Athletes will remain with your team and under the supervision of your coach when attending any contest.

  1. You must travel to and from all athletic contests in transportation provided by Atlas.

  1. You may travel home with parents/legal guardians with written permission from parents/guardians and with consent from your coach.

  1. In order to travel to a game/contest with your parents/guardians, you must get preapproval from the athletic director.

  1. If you miss the bus, it will be at the discretion of the head coach if the athlete is allowed to compete.

  1. Parents, please be available to pick up your child after practice, games, and away trips. Coaches are required to stay until the last child is picked up. If they have to wait for you, then that puts them home late for their own families.



STUDENT ELIGIBILITY

  1. The Colorado High School Activities Association sets standards for athletic eligibility.

  1. Although a school is governed by the state association, a school may set more stringent eligibility requirements than those set by the state. Each program may also set more stringent academic standards.

  1. Listed are most of the general eligibility rules as set by CHSAA. For complete CHSAA eligibility standards, see the athletic director.

    1. Participation in interscholastic athletics as a part of a school’s education program is a privilege and not a right. Students wishing to participate are required to meet standards of personal behavior and academic performance, which are related to school purposes. In this regard, the Colorado High School Activities Association and its member schools may exercise the fullest discretion permitted by law.

    2. A student shall be eligible to represent his or her high school in an interscholastic activity sanctioned by the CHSAA if such student meets the following specific requirements:

      1. The student is a bona fide undergraduate member of his or her high school.

  2. In the judgment of the principal of the student’s school, he/she is representative of the school’s ideals in matters of citizenship, conduct, and sportsmanship.

Option A

  1. The student must carry 5 full-credit classes (or equivalent), which total a minimum of 2.5 Carnegie units per semester and be failing no more than one class (.5 Carnegie units). Although a school is governed by the state association, a school may set more stringent eligibility requirements than set by the state.

  1. Eligibility shall be determined by a weekly check of the student’s grades in progress from the beginning of the grading period for each class to the close of the certification day for the interscholastic activity in question. In all cases, the period of eligibility and ineligibility must be equal, and at no time may the two groups become eligible on the same day.

5. Students must have been eligible in accordance with Option A at the close of his/her last prior semester of attendance.

6. All incoming ninth-grade athletes are automatically eligible for the first semester athletics regardless of their grades from eighth grade.

7. The following is a list of interscholastic events, which will be affected by this policy. Any events not listed will be considered on an individual basis

  1. All high school athletic competitions (CHSAA Sanctioned Athletics/Activities)

  1. One-Act plays/musicals


REGAINING ELIGIBILITY

  1. Students who have not met the academic requirements at the close of a semester may regain academic eligibility on the sixth Thursday following Labor Day for the first semester, and the Friday immediately prior to March 10th for the second semester.

  1. A student who has been ineligible, but now regains eligibility for the upcoming semester, shall not compete in any interscholastic contest and/or scrimmage until the day following the close of the current semester, or in the case of regaining eligibility in a quarter, on the following day after the quarter.

  1. No make-up work shall be permitted after the close of the semester and/or the designated period of eligibility check for the purpose of becoming eligible; and a “condition” (incomplete, unfilled outcome, etc.) shall, for the purpose of determining eligibility, count as a failure.

  1. A student is ineligible for the interscholastic competition upon arriving at age 19, but if his/her birthday occurs on or after August 1st, he/she shall be eligible to participate in all sports that year.

  1. The period of eligibility for a high school athlete shall be limited to eight (8) consecutive semesters.

  1. No high school student shall play more than four seasons in one sport.

SUMMER SCHOOL

Courses taken after the close of the second semester may be used to replace any units failed. Equivalent courses taken must be accepted by the school toward graduation. The equivalent credits must be completed by the Thursday prior to Labor Day. Credits made up through summer school must be in the same curricular area, be accepted to meet graduation requirements of classes previously failed, and be recorded on the student’s transcript.


TRANSFER RULE

All transfers to Atlas Schools must pick up a transfer packet from the athletic director or registrar. This packet must be completed by the family and returned to the athletic director prior to participation in athletics.

ENFORCING & FOLLOWING PROCEDURES

Any other types of behavior that violate training standards established by each head coach or that bring discredit to the Atlas Athletics department will be dealt with on an individual basis. Such violations may incur disciplinary consequences from the coach or athletic director.

Athletes not wishing to comply with these guidelines are demonstrating that they no longer wish to participate in the athletics program and, therefore, are subject to dismissal.

As an athlete, you are obligated to not only follow athletics policies, but to also adhere to all the more general policies and rules that apply school-wide to the entire student body. Understand that if you violate a school-wide policy, you may be disciplined not only under school policies, but may also be subject to discipline or dismissal from the athletics program

LETTERING REQUIREMENTS

Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball: play in at least three-quarters (3/4) of the total number of varsity quarters, periods, or games.

Track and Field: Participation in three-quarters ¾ or more of the varsity meets

Cross Country: run three-quarters (3/4) or more of the varsity meets.

Team Managers: To be determined by the coach.

*Student-athletes not meeting these requirements may receive a varsity letter at the head coach's and/or athletic director’s discretion.

*Student-athletes who quit or are removed from a program for any reason are not eligible for a varsity letter.

Atlas Prep is a member of the Colorado High School Athletic / Activities Association

Please review the expectations and bylaws set by CHSAA: CHSAA Competitors Brochure - Parent & Student Information

SPORTSMANSHIP EXPECTATIONS - STUDENTS & PARENTS / SPECTATORS 

STUDENT-ATHLETE… 

➢ Accept and understand the seriousness of your responsibility, and the privilege of representing the school and the community. 

➢ Live up to the standards of SPORTING BEHAVIOR established by the school administration and the coaching staff. 

➢ Learn the rules of the game thoroughly and discuss them with parents, fans, fellow students, and elementary students. This will assist both them and you in the achievement of a better understanding and appreciation of the game. 

➢ Treat opponents the way you would like to be treated, as a guest or friend. Who better than you can understand all the hard work and team effort that is required of your sport? ➢ Wish opponents good luck before the game and congratulate them in a sincere manner that you would like to be greeted following either victory or defeat. 

➢ Respect the integrity and judgment of game officials. The officials are doing their best to help promote you and your sport. Treating them with respect, even if you disagree with their judgment, will only make a positive impression of you and your team in the eyes of the officials and all people at the event.

PARENTS/SPECTATORS 

➢ Remember that you are at a contest to support and yell for your team and to enjoy the skill and competition, not to intimidate or ridicule the other team and its fans. 

➢ Remember that school athletics are learning experiences for students, and they may make mistakes. Praise student-athletes in their attempt to improve themselves as students, as athletes, and as people, as you would praise a student working in the classroom. 

➢ A ticket is a privilege to observe the contest, not a license to verbally assault others and be generally obnoxious. 

➢ Learn the rules of the game, so that you may understand and appreciate why certain situations take place. 

➢ Show respect for the opposing players, coaches, spectators, and support groups. Treat them as you would treat a guest in your own home. 

➢ Respect the integrity and judgment of game officials. Understand that they are doing their best to help promote the student/athlete, and admire their willingness to participate in full view of the public. 

➢ Recognize and show appreciation for an outstanding play by either team. 

➢ Refrain from the use of any controlled substances (alcohol, drugs, etc.) before, during games, and afterwards on or near the site of the event (i.e., tailgating). 

➢ Use only those cheers that support and uplift the teams involved. 

➢ Recognize and compliment the efforts of school and league administrators for their efforts in emphasizing the benefits of educational athletics and the rule of good SPORTING BEHAVIOR to that end. 

➢ Be a positive role model through your own actions and by censuring those around you at events whose behavior is unbecoming.