Sports Access Position
Q. What is HEAV’s position on homeschoolers’ access to public school sports?
A. The rules and regulations of statewide competitions are overseen by the Virginia High School League (VHSL), a private, member-based organization composed primarily of public high schools and governed by public school administrators. VHSL rules prevent homeschoolers from participating on public school teams.
Below are three VHSL rules for public high school students that block homeschoolers’ access:
- Bona Fide Student Rule – You must be enrolled in and in good standing at the school you represent.
- Grade Rule – You must be enrolled in the last four years of high school. Eighth-grade students may participate in high school academic activities and at the sub-varsity level in high school athletic activities for one year only while in the eighth grade without affecting high school eligibility.
- Scholarship Rule – You must have passed at least five credit subjects, or the equivalent, at the end of the previous semester and be enrolled in—and remain continuously enrolled in—at least five credit subjects, or the equivalent, during the current semester. (Under most 4×4 block plans, one block is the equivalent of two traditional credits, and a student who passes three is passing the equivalent of six.)
The Virginia High School League has refused to change its rules to include homeschoolers.
In past years, some parents have requested a law change through their legislators. At least 23 bills have been introduced across 13 legislative sessions to require VHSL to change its policies excluding homeschool students. All such bills have failed, except for three sports access bills that were ultimately vetoed by Governor Terry McAuliffe (D). Although this issue is often divided along party lines, state legislators have, at times, shown more sympathy than the courts.
Relatedly, the tax argument has not gained much traction with the Virginia High School League—or with legislators. Their response is that everyone pays property taxes, and many people who pay taxes for public schools do not use them. This includes individuals without children, retirees, private school parents, and homeschooling parents.
Note: You may read more about the tax issue here.
HEAV believes that parents have the right to freely choose schools, tutors, co-ops, or other means necessary to educate their children in keeping with their convictions. As in the past, HEAV will continue to keep homeschool parents informed about the progress of sports access legislation. We will notify you when bills are heard in committee and how to contact your legislators to share your position.
As we have done in the past, HEAV will continue to keep all homeschool parents informed about the progress of sports access legislation. We will let you know when bills are heard in committee and how to contact your legislators to share your position.
