Athletic Placement Process

Athletic Placement Process Parent/Guardian Information 

Dear Parent/Guardian, 

Lancaster Central takes part in a program offered by the NYS Education Department that permits highly skilled and exceptionally talented 7th and 8th grade students to try out for and perhaps compete on the Freshman, JV or Varsity level prior to reaching high school. The intent of the Athletic Placement Process (APP) is to provide safe and suitable participation for selecting and classifying students for interscholastic athletics. It focuses on determining a student’s physical readiness for interscholastic competition. 

The Process: 

● A school invitation and a parent consent are required to participate in the APP process or to "play up". ● Invitations will be based on: 

○ Modified team performance (where applicable), and/or 

○ Evidence of exceptional athletic ability submitted through the APP Invitation Request Form. 

• Beginning this season, parents who believe their child may qualify to play up from the modified level / APP should complete this Athletic Placement Google Form

○ Based on the information provided in the invitation request form and a review by the coach, you will be notified of approval for participation in tryouts at the higher level. 

Students considered for APP should: 

○ Demonstrate athletic ability at the desired level and mature personal and social responsibility. 

○ Possess skills comparable to the stronger players at the level they intend to try out for. 

○ Have the potential to be a starter or significant contributor in competitive contests at the higher level. 

Important Notes to Consider: 

Submission of the request form does not guarantee participation in the higher level tryout. Requests will be reviewed by the sport specific coach to determine whether the student meets criteria for consideration. You will receive an email from the athletic department prior to August 24, unless you are looking for football, it will be by August 17th. 

● The APP Invitation Request Form will close on August 15. Requests submitted after that date may not be considered for the upcoming season. 

 

● If invited to try out by the school coach, students will need to demonstrate, during team selection, sufficient personal and social responsibility, sport-specific skill development, knowledge of the game, and physical fitness to be eligible to make the team.

 

• If your child successfully meets the requirements of the APP, he/she will be allowed to try out for competitive HS athletics during 7th and 8th grade. A student athlete is only eligible to compete in high school level sports for four consecutive seasons beginning in 9th grade, the APP allows a student athlete to compete for 5 or 6 consecutive seasons (depending on whether they begin competition in 7th or 8th grade). 

●  Once the requirements are met and your LMS student is accepted as a member of the team, there is no return to a lower level team in that sport for that season. Your child will be competing with older students, and with that comes challenges both during competition and practice, as well as a social atmosphere that is more mature. JV and Varsity teams typically practice and compete 6 days a week; it’s important to take into account your LMS student’s ability to handle additional demands. 

Sincerely, 

Eric Rupp

Director of Athletics 

Lancaster Schools 

erupp@lancasterschools.org

716-686-3271