Athletic Placement Process

The Athletic Placement Process (APP) is designed to ensure that student-athletes participate at the level that best supports their educational, social, emotional, and athletic development. As a guiding principle, student-athletes should remain at their age-appropriate level whenever possible, allowing them to develop alongside their peers, build confidence, strengthen leadership skills, and experience long-term growth within their athletic program.

Advanced placement is reserved for exceptional circumstances in which a student-athlete demonstrates the need for a significantly higher level of competition and challenge while maintaining satisfactory academic performance and appropriate social-emotional readiness. Placement decisions shall be made in the best interest of the student-athlete and shall not adversely impact the developmental opportunities of other participants within the program.

Requests for advanced placement must originate from the Coach. The process shall not be used solely to address roster needs. Students without prior scholastic athletic experience will generally begin participation at the Modified level when a Modified program is offered. In individual sports that do not offer a Modified level, students may be considered for APP evaluation regardless of prior scholastic athletic experience or established performance data. The absence of a Modified level in a team sport, by itself, does not constitute grounds for advanced placement through the APP. All candidates must complete the required APP evaluation and tryout process.

The Athletic Department will coordinate all communication with parents/guardians and will review attendance, academic standing, leadership, character, citizenship, and athletic performance in collaboration with appropriate school personnel. Final placement decisions will be based on a comprehensive evaluation of the student-athlete and require collaboration among the Head Coach, Athletic Director, and parent(s)/guardian(s).

7th or 8th grade student-athletes may be promoted to a high school team at any time during the season.

The district is committed to ensuring that all athletic placement decisions are educationally sound, developmentally appropriate, equitable, and aligned with the overall mission of interscholastic athletics.

Grade-Level Registration Guidelines

When registering for athletics, students should select the program level that corresponds with their current grade level and the levels offered for that sport, unless otherwise directed by the Athletic Department or the student has previously participated at a different level.

Please note that not all sports offer the same program levels. Registration options vary by sport and may be based on factors such as participation numbers, program structure, and league requirements. If a registration level is not displayed, it is either not offered for that sport or registration for that level has not yet opened.

Please do not register for a level outside your grade-level guidelines without prior approval from the Athletic Department.

  • Grades 7-8: Students entering grades 7 and 8 should register for Modified Athletics, unless they have received prior approval through the Athletic Placement Process (APP) to participate at the JV or Varsity level.
  • Grades 9-10: Students entering grades 9 and 10 should register for Junior Varsity (JV) when that level is offered. If a sport offers Varsity only, students in grades 9-10 should register for Varsity.
  • Grades 11-12: Students entering grades 11 and 12 should register for Varsity Athletics.

Registration at a particular level does not guarantee placement on that team. Following the tryout and evaluation process, coaches and the Athletic Department may place student-athletes on the team that best matches their skill level, program needs, competitive balance, and other program considerations.

Gouverneur Athletic Placement Process

  1. Athletic Director Invitation

    Students in grades 7 or 8 may begin the Athletic Placement Process only by formal invitation of the athletic director. Recommendations can be made by a coach for the athletic director to consider a student. However, a request or recommendation does not replace the required formal invitation.

  2. Parent/Guardian Informed Consent

    The athletic office will provide the family with all relevant Athletic Placement Process information and consent forms. A signed consent form must be returned before the evaluation process can begin.

  3. Annual Health Examination

    Student-athletes must provide proof of an annual health examination that authorizes athletic participation, and an Interval Health History when required.

  4. Tryout Evaluation

    Eligible student-athletes may participate in the tryout process for the requested high school sport. APP students are evaluated using the same team-selection criteria as every other student trying out for that team. Selection to the team is based on the coach's evaluation and is not guaranteed by completion of the APP. The tryout will determine if the student-athlete demonstrates appropriate:

    1. personal and social responsibility;
    2. sport-specific skill development;
    3. knowledge of the game;
    4. physical fitness.

  5. Final Determination

    The final determination will be made by the coach and athletic director based on the completion of all APP requirements and the coach's evaluation. The athletic director reserves the right to make the final decision regarding the student-athletes participation in high school athletics.

Downloadable Documents