Spearfish School District 40-2
6000 INSTRUCTION

Board Policy                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Code: 6320

PARTICIPATION OF ALTERNATIVE INSTRUCTION (HOME SCHOOL/PRIVATE SCHOOL)
STUDENTS IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

The Spearfish School District will permit alternative instruction students in grades 6-8 to participate in middle school extracurricular activities and will permit alternative instruction students in grades 9-12 to participate in interscholastic activities.

Nothing in this policy confers any vested right in any alternative instruction student wishing to participate in an interscholastic activity to be selected for competition in such activity.

As a condition of participation, the alternative instruction student in grades 6-12 must be enrolled in, and attend a minimum of two (2) academic class periods at Spearfish High School/Spearfish Middle School and maintain passing grades in both classes. The classes attended by the alternative instruction student must be classes that grant academic credit. Students who miss class on the day of an activity due to an appointment must provide notification to the school at least one day prior to the event in order to participate in the activity. Students who are ill or are gone for personal reasons on the day of an activity must be in attendance for at least one full block/period prior to departing on a road event or in attendance for at least the last two blocks/periods for a home event in order to participate. Students going on school-sponsored trips will be granted an excused absence.

Further, as a condition of participation, the alternative instruction student must fulfill the following conditions:

1. Demonstrate compliance with CHAPTER 1, PART IV - Student Eligibility - and CHAPTER II, PART I - Further Eligibility for Athletic Contests - of the SDHSAA Eligibility Checklist for Alternative Instruction Students. Compliance with this provision must be demonstrated annually.

2. Provide documentation of the Application for Public School Exemption Certificate Request (SDCL 13-27-3) and nationally standardized achievement tests in grades tested under the state testing program. Compliance with this provision must be demonstrated annually.

3. Comply with all the school district’s eligibility requirements for participation in interscholastic activities, including all academic requirements. Attendance requirements will apply as outlined above. Scholastic/academic eligibility shall be verified per the school district’s administrative policy following the same
procedure used to accept credits toward graduation when an alternative instruction student requests a transfer to the school district.

4. Any student who was unable to maintain academic eligibility in an accredited school shall be ineligible to participate as an alternative instruction student for a

period of one (1) year. After one year the student may regain eligibility per the school district’s administrative policy.

5. Satisfy the responsibilities and standards of behavior and performance, including related class or practice requirements, as expected of other student participants, as a condition for both the initial acceptance and continued membership in the activity, including but not limited to:

a. All school district training rules and codes of conduct will be applicable.
b. In order to be eligible to audition for and participate in a Region Music Contest, All-State Chorus, All-State Orchestra or All-State Band, the student must currently be enrolled in and attending the school district’s parallel musical organization, i.e., vocal music, band. This rule is identical to the rule that applies to all students attending a SDHSAA member school.
c. A student who is a member of a high school team may not participate in games, practices, tryouts, etc., in that particular sport during the same season on an independent or non-high school team or as a member of any
“All Star” team, or completely unattached on an individual basis. This rule is identical to the rule that applies to all students attending a SDHSAA member school.
d. All references to calendar shall refer to the school district’s calendar.

6. In addition, the students must meet the following criteria:
a. State law requires the district to have on file the student’s birth certificate as well as proof of immunization.

7. A student who leaves an accredited school for any reason to enter an alternative instruction program shall be ineligible for interscholastic competition for a period of one (1) year beginning on the date the student enters the alternative instruction program.

LEGAL REF: SDCL 13-36-4, 13-36-7

Adopted July 12, 2004
Revised  January 12, 2009