Athletic Placement Process

Below is the standard multi-stage process Croton-Harmon will use (adapted to align with NYSED APP guidance). Students must successfully complete each stage in order to proceed.

Stage 1 — Parent/Guardian Permission

• Begins approximately 30 days before the season start
• A signed parent/guardian permission form (APP Permission Form) must be submitted to the Athletic Department

Stage 2 — Social/Emotional Evaluation & APPC Interview

• Upon receipt of permission, the student will be assessed for social and emotional readiness
• This may include a screening tool and interview with the Athletic Placement Process Committee (APPC)
• Decisions of the APPC are final and not subject to appeal

Stage 3 — Physical Maturity Assessment

• Students approved in Stage 2 will undergo medical assessment of physical maturity (using the Tanner Scale or equivalent), overseen by the district medical director or physician
• This assessment may involve examinations including secondary sexual characteristics (e.g. breasts, genitals) as part of the maturity determination New York State Education Department+2New York State Education Department+2
• The district’s medical director is the sole authority authorized to determine and, if warranted, override the Tanner Scale requirement. 
• If the student does not meet the required maturity level, they may not proceed further.

Stage 4 — Fitness / Skill Evaluation
After physical maturity is confirmed, the student must pass:

Physical Fitness Test — Administered by a certified physical education teacher who is not a coach in that sport

• The student must meet or exceed the fitness benchmarks defined in the APP (often tied to percentile standards) New York State Center For School Health+3New York State Education Department+3New York State Education Department+3

Upon successful completion of both, the student becomes eligible for tryouts at the approved level in the high school program.

• A student who completes the APP and tries out but is not selected may still play on the modified (middle school) team in that sport
• The tryout period for middle school students is limited (commonly maximum 3 days for most sports) as per NY and Section I rules New York State Education Department+3New York State Education Department+3New York State Education Department+3
• If a middle school athlete participates beyond the allowed tryout days (e.g. a 4th day of practice) with a JV/Varsity team, they are locked into that high school level for the rest of the season
• Once officially placed on a higher-level team for a season, the student may not be moved back down to a lower-level team during that same season

Parents and students should consider the social aspects of competing with older students prior to committing to the APP

• Completion of the APP does not guarantee placement on a team — it allows the student to try out at the higher level
• The APP is designed only for exceptional athletes whose readiness justifies advancement, not as a mechanism to fill rosters or reward students for reasons unrelated to readiness New York State Center For School Health+3New York State Education Department+3New York State Education Department+3
• In cases where a student is approved to play up, the expectation is they will meaningfully contribute (e.g. 50% participation or equivalent)
• If the APP is used, the process and criteria must comply with Commissioner’s Regulation § 135.4(c)(7)(ii)(a) New York State Education Department+1