Eligibility

Meridian secondary students and their parents/guardians can use the information and tools on this page to help obtain and maintain eligibility for Meridian Athletics. If after reviewing this page you have questions about your eligibility, please email [email protected].

General Eligibility Based on Enrollment, Grade, and Gender

• Enrollment -
  • Students must be enrolled in Meridian School to participate in Meridian sports.
  • Students must be fully registered for a sport during the sport's registration window to be eligible to participate. 
• Grade level - Competitive sports experiences are available to Meridian students in 7th-12th grades.
  • 7th-8th grade students participate on Middle School teams.
  • 9th-12th grade students participate on High School teams. (JV and Varsity are High School teams.)
  • Occasionally, students in 8th grade might be invited to "play up" on a high school team. 8th graders and their parents/guardians may choose to take advantage of this playing up opportunity or to be considered for the middle school team only.
  • High school students cannot play on Middle School teams.
  • 7th graders cannot play on High School or Varsity teams.
  • 6th grade students can participate in most developmental/pre-season sports experiences.
  • See Types of Sports Experiences for more information.
• Gender - The following is the official policy from our league, Texas Charter School Academic and Athletic League (TCSAAL), to which Meridian School also subscribes:
  • Girls are eligible to participate in all boys sports with the exception of Track & Field*, Cross Country, Golf* and Tennis activities. *Sports not offered by Meridian Athletics.
  • Boys' cannot participate on girls' teams.

Establishing & Maintaining Eligibility

There are four considerations for establishing and maintaining eligibility in Meridian Athletics: 

1. Character in Good Standing
2. Physical Eligibility
3. Academic Eligibility
4. Financial Eligibility

1. Character Good Standing

Violation of the Parent/Student Handbook and implications to Eligibility

Please see the Parent/Student Handbook for school policies. Students responsible for an offense or offenses that resulted in two or more days of suspension while enrolled at Meridian School could be removed from the sport's roster and could have all Athletics-related privileges revoked, including but not limited to the right to participate in a team's, sport's or Athletic Department's recognition ceremonies, socials and traditions, such as the opportunity to letter. Enforcement will be at the discretion of Meridian Administration who will inform Meridian Athletics of necessary implications. Disciplinary offenses that would result in mandatory removal to an alternative placement under TEC Section 37.006 (in a traditional public school) will automatically result in suspension from all Meridian extracurricular activities for a period ranging from one month to the remainder of the school year.

If a student has a school infraction resulting in a 3-day suspension (out of school or ISS) or longer while participating in a Meridian sports experience, and if school administration will allow the student to return to their extracurricular activities after the suspension is served, the student must submit a formal reflection (see the Google Reflection Form) in order to be considered to possibly to be reinstated on their team after the suspension has concluded. In this case, this Reflection Form should be submitted at least two school days before the end of the suspension. (The Google Reflection Form must be submitted by the student from their Meridian account.)

All students are expected to participate in every practice and be available to participate in every competition. Students who have a regular conflict will need to choose between activities before registering. The only exception is for Meridian competitive sports seasons that overlap for only 2-4 weeks. For example, students who are participating in both Meridian Volleyball (a fall sport) and Meridian Basketball (a winter sport) are exempt from Meridian Basketball practices that directly conflict with Meridian Volleyball practices and Meridian Volleyball competitions while the two teams’ seasons overlap for a couple of weeks. There is no exception for students who are committed to club/select sports, other outside commitments such as scouts and additional classes, or other Meridian extracurricular activities such as Model UN, Band, or Theatre. Likewise, for Meridian competitive sports seasons that almost entirely overlap (such as two fall sports or two spring sports), students will need to choose one sport.

Students who have a regular conflict with another Meridian extracurricular activity or an unavoidable, previously scheduled conflict (such as summer travel plans for sports with mandatory summer practices/training) can request an exception in the form of this Standing Conflict Waiver Google Form. This request must be received at least two school days before registration ends. If this waiver is approved, then the student is welcome to register. If it is not approved, they will need to choose between the conflicting activities. Registration deadlines apply. Students who register with standing conflicts that are not previously approved through this waiver risk losing their Character in Good Standing eligibility for one calendar year and their registration/processing fee remains non-refundable. (The Standing Conflict Waiver Google Form must be submitted by the student from their Meridian account.)

Three (3) or more unexcused absences or more than five (5) absences (even if those absences have been excused) could prompt a meeting between the student athlete and the Athletics Coordinator and coach, which could possibly result in removal from the team.

If a student quits a team or season, or if they are removed from a team/sport, the student must write a thoughtful reflection and submit that to the Athletics Coordinator within five (5) school days of leaving the team in order to maintain their Character in Good Standing eligibility for the next calendar year. (See the Google Reflection Form.) If the student quits or is removed from a team/sport for a second time, then the student will be ineligible to participate in any future Meridian Sports experiences for a calendar year (365 days) and this trend in lack of  commitment could be considered in future tryouts. No refunds will be given if a student leaves or is removed from a team. Registration deadlines apply. (The Google Reflection Form must be submitted by the student from their Meridian account.)

2. Physical Eligibility

A valid physical form must be on file with the Athletics Department by the sport's physical form deadline. (See your sport's general information webpage for this date.) Students cannot participate in any way while not physically eligible. This includes practices, clinics, summer training, and tryouts.

Physical forms can be submitted in one of two ways: The parent/guardian or student can drop off a photocopy of the original, completed physical form to the Middle School or High School office during office hours, or a scanned copy in PDF format can be emailed to [email protected].(Please keep your student’s original, complete physical form for your records.)

If you already have a physical form on file from participating in another sport or another season, you may check the status of your physical form by going here. Only one physical form per student athlete is needed for participation in any of the Meridian Athletics offerings.

The physical form must be valid through the sport's entire season. If a physical expires during the sport's season, the student athlete is responsible for providing an updated physical form before it expires and allowing two school days for the Athletics Department to process it.

Physical Eligibility Status: Check the status and expiration date of your physical form here.

Blank Physical Form: Find a blank 2024-2025 physical form to complete here.

Tips for Submitting a Valid Physical Form: In order for a physical form to be approved by the Athletics Department, all of the following must be true:

• It must be filled out completely.
• The Medical History side must be completed by the student athlete and signed and dated by the student athlete and a parent/guardian.
• The Physician's Examination side must be completed by a physician who is licensed in the state of Texas.. It must indicate that the student athlete is physically "cleared" to participate. It must include the physician's name, address and phone number. It must include the physician's signature. It must include the date of examination. All of which must be legible.

Physical forms are valid for one year from the physician's examination date.

• Please do not reply to a message with your physical form attached. Instead, please start a new email with your physical form attached and send to this email address: [email protected].
• Please do not send physical forms to [email protected].
• If you do not have access to a printer/scanner, consider using your mobile device. Here are some tips for Apple and Android devices.