To: Executive Directors From: Blake Ress, Commissioner
Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc. Re: Participation of Home Schooled Students Date: June 25, 2010
This past spring the Indiana legislature passed a bill on an unrelated subject upon which they attached an amendment mandating the Indiana Department of Education and the Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc. (IHSAA) conduct a collaborative survey/study regarding the participation of home schooled students on athletic teams at state association member schools throughout the country.
While I may personally question whether this is a function of the state legislature, I do genuinely want to complete this task with thoroughness and integrity. As a peer, I would request that you complete the attached survey and return it as soon as possible, but not later than August 15th.
You may return it via email (bress@ihsaa.org); by fax at (317-575-4244); or through the postal system to: Blake Ress, Commissioner, IHSAA, 9150 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46260.
Your cooperation in this matter is truly appreciated. If you have any questions, you may contact me at your convenience.
Comments by Principals at IHSAA Member Schools who are Opposed to Home Schooled Students’ Participation on Athletic Teams in their School
I believe home school students have made a choice to not be part of our schools. I also see the possibility of recruitment and other issues of equity such as grades, etc., that would be hard to police.
Lucinda G. McCord, Principal, Anderson High School
This is a complicated issue. What kind of governance would the school have over these students, academic sorts of things, attendance on the day of games, etc. It seems they have made their decision to step outside the normal avenues. Would this mean that every “home school” would need to be a member of the IHSAA and follow the same sorts of rules and regulations? This would be a particularly tricky issue for the non-public schools. It seems we would be opening ourselves up to even more accusations of “recruitment.”
Paul E. Quanz, Principal, Andrean High School
The IHSAA has a long record of requiring athletes to meet academic standards adopted by member schools based on the Indiana Code. Schools must adopt state approved curriculums in all subject areas and must adopt at least the minimum state requirements for earning a diploma including many required courses by specific grade levels. Schools must also adopt school calendars and attendance and behavior guidelines. The IHSAA requires students enroll as full-time students and pass at least 70% of classes each grading period. Principals must verify that all IHSAA standards for eligibility are met. While all schools are not exactly alike, there is a concerted attempt to ascertain an equivalency and a fair and level “playing field.”
Based on information posted on the Indiana DOE website, Indiana law has minimal attendance requirements, minimal instructional requirements, minimal account ability, and exempts home schools from the curriculum and program requirements of public schools. Based on my experience in these matters, home schools range from very rigorous academic studies to very minimal studies. Who will evaluate the equivalency of the home school program to ascertain there is accountability for meeting IHSAA standards? Since there could be several “home schools” in a school district by Indiana definition of home school, I as principal should not have all that additional supervisory responsibility. The state needs to provide accountability for home school programs not public school principals.
Steven Grill, Principal, Angola High School
Students who choose to separate from the masses have made a decision that affects them beyond attending school in a “normal” fashion. This would be especially true in individual sports—they could train anytime, giving them an advantage over students who are in school during the regular school day. Just take a look at the number of students who home school for truly academic purposes; they sure do well on the PSAT.
Sherman R. Smith, Principal, Austin High School
Public schools are not set up or designed to allow parents and students to pick and choose only certain aspects of what the school has to offer. If they want to be in our extra-curricular programs, they need to be in our academic programs as well. We have to be held accountable and monitor the eligibility of athletes from an academic standpoint. How would we have any control over monitoring the academic eligibility of home schooled students?
Bill Denney, Principal, Bedford North-Lawrence High School
Including home schooled children on teams is attractive in some respects, but it would also present serious problems in terms of fairness and access. Bumping from a team or benching a full-tuition paying student for a home schooled student would simply seem unfair.
Our district has concerns over student’s academic and attendance requirements (or lack thereof) for those students not attending our classes. We are very much opposed to allowing home schooled students participate on our teams.
Mike Whitten, Principal, Boonville High School
If “home schooled” kids had some type of academic accountability in Indiana, I might vote differently; however, administrators all know there are a wide range of “home school” kids (whose families have a variety of motives for choosing this type of education). If home schooled kids want to participate in the extra-curricular programs of the school, they should also be willing to participate in the curricular programs and standards of the school. All students should be actively enrolled and attending classes in the school in which they are participating in an extra-curricular activity. They should know their classmates/teammates both in and out of the classroom/extra-curricular setting.
Bruce D. Jennings, Principal, Bremen High School
The “educational component” of interscholastic sports may be its most important responsibility. It is our belief that the most important aspect of high school sports is the teaching of life skills such as hard work, teamwork, perseverance, sportsmanship, loyalty. At Brownsburg High School we take this duty very seriously. We believe that we offer Brownsburg students a diverse, well-rounded educational program that includes both a curricular and an extra-curricular piece. To separate these interconnected parts of our program would devalue our product and compromise both aspects of our mission.
The cost of education is rising; at the same time, the state financial support for public education in Indiana is dropping. Home school students and their parents have made a conscious decision to separate themselves from the public schools and that decision will reduce the public fund support to our school corporation. While we endorse the parental right to make that decision, we feel it would not be appropriate for the to “cherry pick” services from our corporation without the benefit of state support for their home schooled children. Brownsburg High School supports the current policy that requires student enrollment to participate in high school athletics.
Bret Daghe, Principal, Brownsburg High School
Athletics is a reward for students who set examples of leadership in their school building with their peers along with juggling school work and practice/competitions. If student athletes are absent from school they cannot practice nor compete. Allowing this would be a tremendous inequity.
Tim Pivarnik, Principal, Calumet High School
We would not have as much control over home schooled students as in the area of attendance and discipline. Why should public school students be disadvantaged? They would be held to a “higher standard.” If home school students want the advantage of a public school student, they can enroll in school and all students would be treated equally.
Charles Hickstep, Principal, Carroll (Flora) High School
It is a big deal whether or not students are passing five subject in order to be eligible. Since home schooling in Indiana has no requirements, there is no way to know if home schoolers are passing five subjects (parent could say anything), thus this would be totally unfair to students who are attending public schools. PLUS, it could result in ineligible students withdrawing from school to be home schooled so they could play sports.
Deborah Neumeyer, Principal Carroll (Ft. Wayne) High School
We emphasize student/athletes. To be recognized as such, I believe athletic participants should be fully integrated as students in our schools first!
Adam Strasser, Principal, Caston Junior Senior High School
As a matter of principle, if home school families want to enjoy the benefits of a public school education, our academic and athletic programs are a part of the package. Academic as well as extra/co-curricular
programs support each other in regards to benefits to our students, school, and community. In addition, public schools have no way to scrutinize the academic course work being taken in the home school arena in order to judge whether the student might be eligible or not for competition under school and/or IHSAA guidelines. This would be another thing on our plate that we do not need to be handling.
Matt Shockley, Principal, Center Grove High School
How do you teach “school spirit” and “teamwork” when the student isn’t here during the day? There is much more to the team concept than just out on the practice field. Teammates eat together at lunch and have class together during the school day.
Geoffry S. Brose, Principal, Central Noble High School
Being a part of an athletic program is more than just being on the team. The entire school climate is involved. The students and their families are making a decision to not be a part of the school setting. With this in mind they should not be involved in setting the school climate as well.
James Goetz, Principal, Chesterton High School
With the widespread number of club teams available, a home schooled student has plenty of
opportunities to participate in sports. Participation on school teams, therefore, should be limited to those students who are full-time students of the member’s school.
Elizabeth A. Meguschar, Principal, Clinton Central High School Home school is a “choice.” That choice = no IHSAA participation.
Gregg A. Goewert, Principal, Columbia City High School
Students who do not bring revenue to schools with their enrollment shouldn’t benefit from the opportunities provided by the students who do. The slice of pie gets smaller if we do and with ever shrinking revenue from our legislators it is silly to give ourselves a fiscal black eye by allowing this. The politicians need to know that NO is an acceptable answer to John Q. Public sometimes.
David D. Clark, Principal, Columbus North High School
Our Fayette County School Board Policy (FCSC Policy 5.15) last reviewed in May, 2009, does not allow home schooled students to participate in extra-curriculars or intramurals. Beyond that, because the state of Indiana and the Department of Education, has no assessment accountability, nor any other significant checks and balances on home schooled children; it encourages widespread ignorance.
Dr. Patricia Flowers, Principal, Connersville High School
Though I respect the values and ideals of parents of home schooled students, it is only fair that participation should be reserved for students who put the time and effort in attending their school.
Adam N. Welchans, Principal, Covington Community High School I feel very strong about this!
Greg L. Hunt, Principal, Crawfordsville High School
Many factors play a role in our decision to oppose home school students being able to participate in our athletic programs at Daleville. However, the two biggest factors I look at are attendance and grades. A home school student has no accountability for either. Daleville has a very strict policy on attendance for school as related to whether or not you can practice or participate in an event scheduled that night and with a home school student that would not be possible. This would create a double standard as compared to students who attend Daleville and I will not be a party to double standards. The other major factor is grades. Daleville has a no F policy for participation in athletic teams, very easy for a parent or whomever to lie about the grade of a home school student since there are no standards or accountability for them to meet in regards to curriculum or reporting of grades to an administrator. I am
sure many will say these parents would never do that and I would say those persons do not live in the real world.
John K. Junco, Principal, Daleville Junior Senior High School
It would be difficult for a home school student to prove academic eligibility. Joe Preda, Principal, Decatur Central High School
We support the current rule.
Jim Koger, Principal Delta High School
We simply feel that a home school student should not take a position away from a student that is actually attending our school.
Dr. David A. Wintin, Principal, Eastern (Pekin) High School
Academic eligibility would be more difficult to monitor and enforce. When I say monitor, I don’t mean the simple reporting of grades. Rather, I’m referring to the academic rigor of the home school curriculum, the manner of grading, and whether or not we will end up with a double standard that actually gives home schooled students (and families) less accountability than what we have in place for students enrolled in our high school. We currently tell parents who want to home school but still participate in clubs or music programs that we require a student to be enrolled 80% of our school day (four of five periods) to be eligible.
Brad Compton, Principal, East Noble High School
I am absolutely opposed to home schooled students being allowed to participate on IHSAA member school teams. The State of Indiana has the most liberal home schooling laws in the country. Home schools have no standards or curricular requirements; therefore, it would simply be unfair to allow them to participate with students that have accountability to their required courses. Changing this rule would create an environment in which students would be withdrawing from school to participate in sports. It would be irresponsible decision on the part of the IHSAA.
Dirk Ackerman, Principal, Edgewood High School
I believe that student lose some of the closeness and relationships that come with being in a high school environment. The socialization alone is worth being in a school setting.
Shelia L. Huff, Principal, Evansville Bosse High School
I have four thoughts. (1) We do not allow students in school that do not offer specific sports to go to schools that do offer those sports. For example, a student at Canterbury can’t go to Homestead to play football, even though Canterbury does not have a football team. By extension, a home schooled student should not be offered an opportunity that is not offered to students who are in school. (2) I also think that there is some logic to the argument that the IHSAA is an organization of member SCHOOLS, and thus when parents elect to home school, they are opting out of participation in a school community. (3) In Indiana, we have not allowed private or independent schools to participate in athletics without meeting certain state requirements. If home schooled students were to be allowed to participate on IHSAA member school teams, I believe it would make sense that they be required to satisfy the eligibility and academic requirements specified by the member school. (4) While the best argument for allowing home schooled student to participate in sports is that they may benefit from an opportunity that home schooling cannot provide, the IHSAA has consistently taken the position that a student should not go to a school for athletically motivated reasons. I think that allowing home schooled students to participate could be perceived as operating under a double standard.
Bob Schantz, Principal, Fort Wayne Canterbury High School Not at all interested in any way shape or form.
Home schooling is completely unregulated in Indiana. This would allow the parent of a student who is likely to become academically ineligible to withdraw them to home school and they we would have no accurate academic report to judge eligibility. The parent could state the student has passed all courses and we would not have the means to challenge this. It would be different if home schooling was regulated and we could be ensured that the academic report we received from an accredited school or organization was valid. We would in effect the “student” out of “student athlete” and create a system of athletic recruiting where someone can jump from school to school for athletic reasons with absolutely no way to regulate the process.
Craig A. McCaffrey, Principal, Franklin Community High School
Determining eligibility? Residency just in your school district? Potential recruiting issues! Can they play for private schools?
Matt Smith, Principal, Garrett High School
Scholarship would be very difficult to enforce consistently for Indiana home school students. This would be unfair to students held to consistent standards at their local high school and their can be tremendous inconsistencies between home schooled students.
James L. Kirkton, Principal, Goshen High School
How would a home schooled student meet academic requirements of five solids? Randall A. Corn, Principal, Greencastle High School
This would be unfair because of grade level requirements. Education is the most important part of school for the student, and we can’t justify what a student is learning at home. We know what a student is learning in school and the expectations, but we know nothing about the expectations at home.
Bruce Peters, Headmaster, Greenwood Christian Academy
I am against students who do not attend our school participating in extra-curricular programs representing our school.
Nick Alcorn, Principal Heritage Hills High School
In order to participate in athletics, I feel a student should participate in the life of the regular school day from 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
David L. Worland, Principal, Indianapolis Cathedral High School
From previous experience, homebound students allowed to participate in selected public school activities are a distraction. Their presence and participation serves to undermine and complicate the enforcement of rules, expectations of behavior, and other non-curricular endeavors.
Robert Faulkens, Principal, Crispus Attucks Medical Magnet High School
There is absolutely no accountability of home schooled students in the state of Indiana to pursue any educational plan at all. To allow home schooled students to participate in high school athletics would be an open invitation for any struggling student athlete to withdraw from his school, be it public, private or charter, and participate as a home schooled student. We are about education students, and providing opportunities. This would have the potential to turn us into “athletic factories.”
Phil Ford, Principal, Jay County High School
Home school students should not be allowed to participate in any public school functions without some form of enrollment. The liability is extreme for a principal who cannot supervise and be responsible for students who will represent the school in athletics and clubs.
In my opinion, students have every right to elect to not come to a public or private school and instead be educated at home. The right to choose this option is one that a parent should be able to make at any time. I have no problem with that. My issue is that with the choice to home school comes with certain consequences. You cannot have your cake and eat it too. If our school is not good enough to educate your children properly—why should the parent get to decide that is good enough for basketball purposes (or whatever sport) only. In addition, at Jimtown, we try VERY HARD to hold our students accountable with high expectations in the classroom, hallways, and outside in the community. With the current home school laws in Indiana, I have nothing to say nor any recourse with home schooled students with regards to academics or behavior. The parent has taken over that role. A situation wherein an administrator is asked to hold parents and students to a high standard and then having no authority to ensure success is a very untenable position to be in.
Nathan Dean, Principal, Jimtown High School
Kokomo High School is opposed to this because we would have no way of verifying if the students are meeting the codes established in our Student Athlete Handbook.
Allen Remaly, Principal, Kokomo High School It should be a local decision.
Robert McDermott, Principal, Lake Central High School
There are too many variables that would make the monitoring of eligibility; residency issues; that sends an unclear message to those student/athletes who are in traditional school attendance. If these students truly want to compete athletically, they need to be fully enrolled and participating in the curriculum of their district of residence. This would also require the IHSAA to revise the by-laws which would require a huge revision of how the association operates and regulates the standards that have been in place for decades. I believe that the chaos and confusion created by the restructuring would erode quality of our athletic programs.
Bruce B. Bush, Principal, Lake Station Edison Junior Senior High School
According to this survey, I can live in Madison County, home school my son, and my son can play baseball in Hamilton County. The survey did not specify whether the home school students had to play within the boundaries of the respective school district. It doesn’t matter to me either way, I oppose participation in IHSAA sports.
Greg Granger, Principal, Lapel High School
There are just too many problems surrounding this issue. The two major issues, for me, are academic integrity and attendance. I find it impossible to hold home school students to the same academic standards that we hold our student athletes to. Is the State going to “police” the home school student for us? I highly doubt that is going to happen. Students must be in attendance in order to participate. If the home school student does nothing that day from home is that considered being in “attendance” for the day? By allowing this, I foresee two types of standards.
Charles Phillips, Principal, LaVille Junior Senior High School
I could support home schooled students who are enrolled part time and meet IHSAA requirements to participate on school teams.
William D. Isaacs, Principal, Lewis-Cass High School
If a student wants to play ball, then he or she can enroll at Loogootee and try-out. Otherwise, forget it! John P. Mullen, Principal, Loogootee Junior Senior High School
I am opposed for several reasons. Mainly, it’s because the Home School students are not a part of my school. They do not interact with other students of my school. They do not participate in other school activities, clubs, or organizations, and do not have the pride in our school that I know many of our
students do. And, they choose to Home School and not be a part of the public school systems and that includes athletics as far as I am concerned.
Phil Nikirk, Principal, Madison-Grant High School
I do not want to rule it out 100%. If any other school knows of a situation where it is in the best interest of the school, student and IHSAA, I would be willing to listen.
Richard A. Healy, Principal, Milan High School
I am concerned about verifying academic eligibility and attendance requirements that are part of the school policy.
Jerome Calderone, Principal, Mishawaka High School
As a principal, we do not know these students and how they will represent our school. It will increase the already present problem of moving for athletic reasons. Many to most of the students whose parents sign them out to home school are attendance and discipline problems at MHS. We do not know or have any way of knowing if students that are home schooled are actually doing anything academic.
Steve Phillips, Principal, Mitchell High School
One issue: Inability to regulate their grades and subjects to insure eligibility. Jacob Hagist, Principal, Monrovia High School
We cannot validate what the home schooled student has actually accomplished nor their academic grade while home schooled. In addition, I can’t see where we are good enough for the home schooled to participate within our school athletically but not academically.
Michael Brown, Principal, Morristown High School
This is not in our best interest as a high school with a large at-risk student population. Rebecca Thompson, Principal, Muncie Southside High School
It would be almost impossible to determine the academic eligibility of home schooled students. Another issue would be which school the student could play for. The student may not want to play for the school where he or she resides. Would they be allowed to join a parochial school athletic program because parochial or private schools do not have the geographically boundaries that public schools have? That would not be fair to public schools that could not draw students from other communities. This also creates another problem. What is the difference between a home schooled student and a parochial school student? If home schooled students can participate in the public school athletic programs, then private school students should have that same choice. There are undoubtedly many more issues that I haven’t thought through.
Steven L. Tripenfeldas, Principal, Munster High School
Students who compete on behalf of New Albany High School should be expected to attend classes at our school.
Janet Page, Principal, New Albany High School
I would be more receptive to this if we had very detailed “guidelines” that “ALL SCHOOLS” would adhere and follow. Once again, I appreciate the work that our IHSAA does for us. Keep up the great work.
Greg Mohler, Principal, New Haven High School
Strongly opposed – Oversight of eligibility and academic regulations would be difficult. Dennis Metzger, Principal, Northeastern Junior Senior High School
We are concerned that IF this is passed, how many kids may drop out of public schools because sports may be the only reason they are staying. Secondarily, we also know that if this happens, there will be
kids moving all over the place trying to play for the school that they want to play for. Too many negatives in our opinion.
David Hoffer, Principal, Northfield High School
This would be a Huge Mistake. Students at least now have to meet some standards for both attendance and academics. Home schooled students cannot be screened effectively.
Kelly Simpson, Principal, North Harrison High School
At Northridge High School, we are opposed to home school participation in our athletic program for the following reasons:
1. High school sports are an integral part of the total culture of the school. It is important that our programs serve as an extension of the school’s curriculum and overall development of student leaders in our school. In order for our programs to serve an extended curriculum, it is important that the participants attend school each day.
2. We feel that enrollment in the school should be the baseline criteria for eligibility. We do not want an athletic environment where students who are not enrolled in the school could potentially “shop” for programs to be involved in and potentially play one sport in one school and choose a second sport in a second school.
3. We have denied requests for home school participation in the past. These denials have been based on current IHSAA eligibility rules stating that (in our case) students must be passing six of eight classes.
Steven J. Lyng, Principal, Northridge High School
Under the current system with no accountability, I am not in favor what-so-ever of allowing home schooled students to participate on IHSAA member school teams.
Timothy Rayle, Principal, Northview High School
I feel if they are going to participate w/our athletes then they need to participate in our school as well. Mark A. Misch, Principal, Norwell High School
Too many potential problems with fairness and rule violations exist with allowing home schooled students to participate.
Roderick McKee, Principal, North White Junior Senior High School
This would continue to erode high school athletics. (1) Create more opportunity for unethical recruiting. (2) Dismantle community support for local athletics. (3) Emphasize individual success over team success when less than 10% of high school athletes will play college athletics for four years.
David L. Maugel, Principal, NorthWood High School
The primary reasons I am opposed to home schooled students participating on IHSAA member schools teams are:
1. There is no consistent manner of determining academic standards and eligibility. Home school education in Indiana has very limited standards from the DOE; therefore creating the potential for students to withdraw from our school prior to academic ineligibility to home school to preserve their athletic participation rights.
2. High school athletic teams are an extension of the entire education program offered by our school. Home schooled students and families have made a choice to not be a part of our academic programming. I strongly believe that if a student isn’t associated directly with our primary purpose that they shouldn’t receive the opportunity to be a part of our extended school services.
3. I also fear that allowing home schooled students to participate would create abuses that lead to the recruitment of athletes to participate in athletics for a given school.
Mike McDivitt, Principal, Oak Hill High School
We believe it is important students are enrolled in school for participation in IHSAA events. Jackie Wright, Principal, Perry Central High School
Plymouth High School places high expectations on classroom performances of all students including athletes. We spend countless hours communicating expectations that are challenging yet fair and consistent. By allowing home schooled students to participate in interscholastic competition, we would be asked to sacrifice those very same common expectations both at the local and state levels.
James Condon, Principal, Plymouth High School
I disagree with home school students having access to our athletic programs. The cafeteria approach to take the best academic approach for their child by keeping him in the home or church and to then take from schools on the many good things we do with respect to extra-curricular activities does not square for me.
Jon W. Abbey, Principal, Princeton High School
Heck No! If our school is not good enough for them, our athletic teams are not either. Dave Mahurin, Principal, Rockville High School
If we allow this, along with the open tuition law, we might as well start allowing all schools to recruit their athletes. We will cease being institutions of education and have our sole purposes be for athletics.
Keith E. Majewski, Principal, Rising Sun High School
We want home schooled students enrolled full time in our school. We cannot sustain our programs if we allow ‘uncounted’ students to participate.
Daniel L. Ronk, Principal, Rochester High School
It would be very difficult to hold home schooled students to the same standards as public school athletes. I also feel that it would not be fair and some schools would be tempted to recruit. I would feel
uncomfortable having a home schooled student representing our school, especially when they do not attend our school. I am also concerned about transfer issues if this is allowed.
Derek Smith, Principal, Salem High School
And we could monitor their academic eligibility how? Really, some of the B.S. that comes out of the statehouse is incredible!
Greg Prange, Principal, Seymour High School
Holding these students to the same standards academically would be next to impossible to verify with any degree of consistent confidence.
Rolland Abraham, Principal, Shakamak Junior Senior High School Verifying eligibility would be a nightmare!
Jerome F. Bomholt, Principal, Shawe Memorial High School
The state of Indiana has such limited requirements and responsibilities for home schools there is little to no requirements or monitoring. If DOE was more involved in the home school process, then it might be worth additional consideration. I suggest the legislature study home school requirements and
accountability. That information might be more beneficial than considering athletic participation. Charles Willis, Principal, Shenandoah High School
Allowing home schooled students to participate would: (1) encourage students to transfer to home school in districts with more than on high school where transfers are not allowed and (2) cause inconsistency with academic and behavioral standards for those who participate.
Mike Crabtree, Principal, Silver Creek High School
I believe that students should be enrolled in the member school in order to participate in athletics at that school.
Trent Lehman, Principal, South Adams High School
Students in a school are held to certain grading procedures and standards. I question the degree to which home schooled students would be required to document their class work, credit hours, and GPA. Additionally, extra-curricular sports are provided to the students enrolled in a local high school. There are no federal statutes or constitutional requirements for a school to provide access to athletics to children not currently enrolled in school in the same way schools are obligated to provide special education services to disabled children. Finally, since the state would be willing to remove the
requirement of enrollment at a school to use the extra-curricular activities, what is to keep anyone from a small private school with no athletics from making the same request? The precedent being set is
dangerous.
Chris Matthys, Athletic Director, South Bend Washington High School
I would support a hybrid model where home schooled students were on a school roster and completed the same assessments as students attending classes in the building.
Barbara J. Brouwer, Principal, Southport High School
Families who have chosen to educate their children at home have made their choice. They should not be allowed to participate in activities at a public or private school. Their choice has been made.
Mike Eineman, Principal, Southridge High School
I feel that if we allow home schooled students to participate we lose some of the control we have over athletics. Parents choose to home school sometimes because they are upset with public schools, but they want some of the advantages of public schools. I am very strongly opposed to this!
Robert D. Meyer, Principal, South Ripley High School
It is our feeling that students must be enrolled as full-time students in order to participate. Chris Stitzle, Principal, Sullivan High School
In my opinion, allowing a home schooled student to play on the public/private school athletic teams is really no different than allowing high school dropouts the ability to play!
Eric A. Hartman, Principal, Taylor High School
I believe that there are sufficient club opportunities in our area for those students who wish to participate in athletics outside of their educational placements.
Richard Lance, Principal, Tecumseh Junior Senior High School
I have concerns with class loads compared to ours, lack of highly qualified teachers in home schools, and grade requirements to participate.
Michael J. Chobanov, Principal, Triton Junior Senior High School
If these students want to be a member of one of our athletic teams, then they need to be a member of our student body. I believe if this is allowed it will open the door for many other things which would erode the culture and atmosphere of high schools across the state.
It will be impossible to monitor the academic, medical and attendance requirements for eligibility when the student is not in an accredited school, compliant with Indiana standards, rules and laws directed by licensed teachers and administrators.
Jim Doane, Principal, Valparaiso High School
I do not support home schooled students participating in high school sporting events sponsored by the IHSAA. I truly believe that any student who wishes to participate on a team must be enrolled in that school and follow all of the rules and expectations as the other student/athletes.
Mick Schuck, Principal, Wapahani High School
Washington strongly opposes home schooled athletes participation due to the lack of oversight or standards governing home schools in Indiana.
Paul White, Principal, Washington High School
The essence of high school sports is young men and women representing their school community with dedication, pride and sportsmanship. How can this be accomplished with students who do not even attend the school? Beyond this, there is no way to know if the home schooled student is even in any kind of course work equivalent to what we expect of our students in school. If we accept home schooled students, then does that mean that all academic eligibility should end? I hope not!
Garry Adams, Principal, Washington Catholic High School
This should not be discussed until the time there are standards and accountability within home schools in the state of Indiana.
Don Harman, Principal, Wawasee High School
The Wes-Del Middle/High School administration believes that only students who are enrolled full time at our school should be afforded the privilege of participating on IHSAA sanctioned athletic teams. We believe that participating on athletic teams is just another component of a students overall school experience. Students who participate on athletic teams gain more than just athletic awards and recognition. Our student/athletes become better students, leaders, role models and citizens because of their participation on teams. Furthermore student/athletes who participate on athlet teams are more inclined to be better citizens of our school.
This administration believes that students who are allowed to participate on athletic teams who are not enrolled as students in our building could disrupt the collegiality and cohesiveness of players and teams on which they participate. Additionally this administration believes that if a parent believes that our school isn’t “good enough” for their son/daughter academically then why should the athletic teams be acceptable either? We as educators are in the business of educating all students. The government mandates us that if a child lives in our district we education that child. School district can’t pick and choose which students come to our schools and which one don’t. We don’t have the luxury of a “buffet style” student population. Why should parents of home school students be afforded the luxury of
choosing when the school districts don’t have the same choice? Again, to reiterate the stance of Wes-Del Middle/High School it is our belief that home school students should not be allowed the privilege of participating on teams for IHSAA member schools.
Derick Bright, Principal, Wes-Del Middle/High School
Home schooled students should not be allowed to participate on IHSAA member school teams!
Athletic/extra-curricular teams are designed to add to the school experience within your school. Opening the door would allow recruiting and there is no true way to determining the true academic status of a home schooled child.
Don Street, Principal, West Central High School
Not with the current level of regulation in the state of Indiana for home school kids. Nathan Lowe, Principal, West Noble High School
Our concerns: (1) Standards of academic eligibility, (2) Residency requirements/transfers, (3) Is a private school a home school co-op, (4) Program shopping. We believe adequate opportunities exist for home schoolers to participate in private home school leagues.
Comments by Principals at IHSAA Member Schools who Support Home Schooled Students’ Participation on Athletic Teams in their School
I am in support as long as there are guidelines set by the DOE to verify that the curriculum used meets the DOE standards. The curriculum must be reviewed yearly.
LaTonya M. Turner, Principal, Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School
Having come from another part of the country where this issue has been dealt with fairly successfully, I would suggest that this brief survey does not adequately define the terms, conditions or policies requisite fo the IHSAA constituents making an informed decision. There are a number of concerns and fears, real and irrational, which must be addressed in order to obtain useful feedback on this topic. I would be happy to elaborate on these items or to participate in an advisory committee to explore the opportunity for students to participate in an equitable manner.
David J. Arrell, Principal, Christian Academy of Indiana
I would be in support of this if there were limitations in place that would have eligibility requirements. Lynn Heusinger, Principal, Faith Christian School
I believe that these individuals are tax payers and a portion of this payment goes to fund the school district in which they live. With this said, it is imperative that this student only be allowed to participate in athletics within his/her school district according to their homes address. This insures some community ties and helps minimize recruiting in areas with more than one high school.
Robert J. Wilson, Principal, Hammond High School
We believe home schooled students who wish to participate should demonstrate academic eligibility and be held to the same conditioning and team try-out expectations as all other students.
Colleen McCoy-Cejka, Principal, Hammond Bishop Noll High School
I support with the condition that appropriate parameters for participation be established that take into consideration the needs and the integrity of both the IHSAA member schools and home schooled students, and with the condition that participation is allowed but not mandated.
Jeffrey S. McMaster, Principal, Heritage Christian School
Participation in athletics allows for socialization for peers that may not be available to home schooled children. It would also provide exercise and discipline that may be important for these students.
Mary Glenn Rinne, Principal, Indiana School for the Deaf
I also feel that in a situation where a member school does not offer a sport due to financial or other reasons that a student attending a public charter school, should be allowed to participate in their local districts school team, such as playing football or baseball in our case.
Daryl Werner, Principal, Irvington Preparatory Academy
There are a myriad of reasons for home schooling. We already partner with home schooled students and families in providing specialty classes like band and Advanced Placement sciences courses that cannot be duplicated at home or by community home schooling groups. Athletics are an important part of a student’s development and should be opened to home schooled students provided that the home schooled student’s parents are paying taxes, tuition, or athletic fees to participate. This contingency on payment prevents home schooled students from obtaining the value of athletic programs without being vested like public school students.
We would support home schooled students participation as long as they are using an accredited home school program. We would require access to transcripts and the students would be subject to the same expectations as other athletes.
Donell S. Housel, Principal, Prairie Heights High School
Athletics are required to meet particular guidelines. I would expect home schooled students follow the same grades, attendance, etc.
Jay L. Harker, Principal, Whiting High School
Survey of States re: Participation of Home Schooled Students on High School Teams Analysis
At the behest of the Indiana Legislature, the Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc. (IHSAA) surveyed all fifty states this summer to learn how each state deals with home schooled students participating on high school athletic teams. With persistence and, in some cases, a small amount of nagging, the IHSAA was able to get a response from all fifty states. The discussion below is an analysis of the information obtained.
In each of the fifty states there is a high school athletic association that governs high school sports for their member schools. While most states are similar to Indiana in that the member schools include public, private and charter schools, there are states that do not allow private and/or charter schools to join their association. However, two states, Alaska and Minnesota, take a completely different approach and allow groups of home schooled students to form teams and join their state association as a home school team. In another unusual twist, home school students in Wyoming may join the state association as an individual for a one hundred dollar fee and register their curriculum with a member school in an effort to compete for that school.
Twenty-seven of the fifty states have rules that preclude home schooled students from participating on a high school athletic team at a school who is a member of the state association. While there is a wide range of rules that vary dramatically from one state to another when determining whether or not a home schooled student may participate on a high school athletic team, there are twenty-one states that do allow home school students to participate under certain circumstances.
There are two states (Ohio and South Dakota) where there is no state wide rule and each school corporation determines whether or not they will allow home school students to participate on athletic teams in their community.
In this survey, states allowing home schooled students to participate were queried on what conditions, if any, had to be met by the home schooled students. In response to the question “Are there academic standards that are applicable to home schooled students?” eighteen of the twenty-one states answered that there was an academic component that home school students had to meet. Likewise, in response to the question, “Does a member school’s student conduct code apply to a home schooled student?”
eighteen states answered affirmatively.
States were also asked “Are there limitations regarding at which school a home schooled student may choose to participate?” Fifteen of the twenty-one states allowing home schooled students to participate indicated that their eligibility is limited to the public school district in which their parents reside. Three additional states permitted participation at the public or private school serving the area of residency. Only two states (South Dakota and Wyoming) have absolutely no restrictions on where a home schooled student may participate in athletics.
On issues regarding curriculum requirements or being required to show academic progress by
successfully completing standardized tests as conditions for athletic eligibility, the response was mixed with fifty percent or more of the states having regulations that included such standards for home schooled students.
Even though participation is permissible by rule, there are six states that allow a local school or school district to determine whether they will allow home schooled students to participate on athletic teams within their district. Those states are Idaho, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio and South Dakota. Additionally, Colorado and Iowa responded that under certain specific circumstances, a school may decline to allow a home schooled student to participate.
There is no standard; one size fits all, model regarding rules or laws pertaining to home schooled students’ participation on high school athletic teams. Of the twenty-one states that permit participation in one way, shape or form, there are twenty-one different sets of criteria. In this research a set of questions was sent to the top administrator at each of the fifty state athletic associations. While a yes or no response was requested to each question, space was provided and the respondent was invited to elaborate on their answer if they were so inclined. In some instances if there was an association rule or a state law, a copy of those regulations were provided.
Of the twenty-seven states that limit participation on high school athletic teams to those students who are enrolled and attending the high school, two states (Nebraska and North Carolina) will permit students who are enrolled and attending at least 50% of school day at a member school to be home schooled for the remaining portion of the day and be eligible to play on their school’s athletic teams so long as they meet all other standards for participation. In California, students enrolled in independent study programs under the direct jurisdiction of a member school may be able to participate on that school’s athletic teams.
In another unique situation, the West Virginia Supreme Court has ruled that home schooled students may not participate on high school athletic teams in that state.
Obviously, Indiana is one of the twenty-seven states that do not allow home schooled students to participate on high school athletic teams at schools that are members of the Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc. (IHSAA). In the very simplest of terms, IHSAA member schools believe that high school athletic events should involve the students from one school competing against students from another school rather than having a community team whereby the players may or may not be students at that school. As a side note, it is also troublesome that there is no accountability associated with the Indiana statute. In fact, parents in Indiana do not even have to show they are providing any education for their children.
While individuals on each side of this debate can speak extensively and eloquently regarding their
particular perspective, in this canvass of each states’ standards a genuine attempt was made to avoid the emotional components and personal opinions. States were asked to respond to specific questions and were never asked for their personal perspective. In other words, a conscientious effort was made to complete an objective assessment of what the standards are in other states with regard to home schooled students participating on high school athletic teams.
Response of IHSAA Member Schools to Home Schooled Students Participating on their Athletic Teams
In additions to surveying how other states deal with home schooled students, it seemed only fitting to attempt to establish the conscience of the IHSAA membership regarding home schooled students participating on their athletic teams. Toward that end, each member school principal was sent a very simple survey asking whether they favored or were opposed to home schooled students being allowed to play on their school’s teams. The principals were also given an opportunity to make comments on this topic.
Of the 410 IHSAA member schools, 355 (87%) responded with 25 high school principals being in favor of allowing home schooled students to participate on their school’s teams and 330 high school principals being opposed to the concept of home schooled students being allowed to participate on their school’s
team without being enrolled as a student at the school. Stated another way 6% of the IHSAA member schools responded favorable; 81% were opposed to this concept; and 13% did not respond at all. Attached you will find a listing of each school and how they responded to this question.
The comments are attached that were received from those principals who chose to respond by providing more input than a mere vote favoring or opposing the concept of home schooled students participating at IHSAA member schools.
Respectfully submitted,
Blake Ress, Commissioner
Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.
1
Are home schooled students allowed to participate on athletic teams at high schools that are members of your Association? YES or NO If yes, please continue.
If home schooled students are allowed to participate, please respond to the following questions? 1. Does a home schooled student have to officially be enrolled in a school in order to participate?
2. Are there any academic standards that are applicable to home schooled students?
a. Are there requirements regarding the curriculum of home schooled students?
b. Are there state approved courses that home schooled students are required to complete?
c. Are there any requirements that home schooled students have to complete a standardized test?
3. How does a school’s student conduct code apply to a home schooled student?
4. Are there any limitations regarding at which school a home schooled student may choose to participate?
2
If you have any additional advice or comments regarding the pros and cons of home school students participating, we would welcome your input.
_________________________________ _________________________________
Person Completing this Survey State
Please return via email: bress@ihsaa.org
By fax: (317) 575-4244
Regular mail: Blake Ress, Commissioner
Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.
9150 N. Meridian Street
Survey:
Participation of Home Schooled Students on IHSAA Member School Teams
_____ I support home schooled students being allowed to participate on IHSAA member school teams. _____ I am opposed to home schooled students being allowed to participate on IHSAA member schoolteams. Signed: ________________________________________ Date: __________________________ Principal Name Printed: __________________________________ School: ________________________________________ Comments:
Principals' Responses to Survey Regarding Home Schooled Students Participating on Athletic Teams at IHSAA Member
Schools
School Support Opposed No Resp. School Support Opposed No Resp.
21st Century Charter School ‐ Gary X Brownstown Central X
Adams Central X Calumet X
Alexandria Monroe X Cambridge City Lincoln X
Anderson X Campagna Academy X
Andrean X Cannelton X
Angola X Carmel X
Argos X Carroll (Flora) X
Attica X Carroll (Fort Wayne) X
Austin X Cascade X
Avon X Cass X
Baptist Academy X Castle X
Barr‐Reeve X Caston X
Batesville X Center Grove X
Bedford North Lawrence X Centerville X
Beech Grove X Central Noble X
Bellmont X Charlestown X
Ben Davis X Chesterton X
Benton Central X Christian Academy of Indiana X
Bethany Christian X Churubusco X
Bethesda Christian X Clarksville X
Blackford X Clay City X
Bloomfield X Clinton Central X
Bloomington North X Clinton Prairie X
Bloomington South X Cloverdale X
Blue River Valley X Columbia City X
Bluffton X Columbus East X
Boone Grove X Columbus North X
Boonville X Concord X
Borden X Connersville X
Bowman Leadership Academy X Corydon Central X
Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory X Covenant Christian (DeMotte) X
Bremen X Covenant Christian (Indpls) X
Brown County X Covington X
Principals' Responses to Survey Regarding Home Schooled Students Participating on Athletic Teams at IHSAA Member
Schools
School Support Opposed No Resp. School Support Opposed No Resp.
Crawford County X Evansville North X
Crawfordsville X Evansville Reitz Memorial X
Crothersville X Fairfield X
Crown Point X Faith Christian X
Culver Academies X Fall Creek Academy X
Culver Community X Fishers X
Daleville X Floyd Central X
Danville Community X Forest Park X
Decatur Central X Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger X
DeKalb X Fort Wayne Bishop Luers X
Delphi Community X Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian X
Delta X Fort Wayne Canterbury X
East Central X Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran X
East Chicago Central X Fort Wayne North Side X
East Noble X Fort Wayne Northrop X
Eastbrook X Fort Wayne Snider X
Eastern (Greentown) X Fort Wayne South Side X
Eastern (Pekin) X Fort Wayne Wayne X
Eastern Greene X Fountain Central X
Eastern Hancock X Frankfort X
Eastside X Franklin Central X
Edgewood X Franklin Community X
Edinburgh X Franklin County X
Elkhart Central X Frankton X
Elkhart Christian Academy X Fremont X
Elkhart Memorial X Frontier X
Elwood Community X Garrett X
Eminence X Gary Lighthouse X
Evansville Bosse X Gary Roosevelt X
Evansville Central X Gary Wallace X
Evansville Day X Gary West Side X
Evansville F.J. Reitz X Gibson Southern X
Evansville Harrison X Glenn X
Principals' Responses to Survey Regarding Home Schooled Students Participating on Athletic Teams at IHSAA Member
Schools
School Support Opposed No Resp. School Support Opposed No Resp.
Greencastle X Indiana School for the Blind X
Greenfield‐Central X Indiana School for the Deaf X
Greensburg X Indianapolis Arlington X
Greenwood Christian Academy X Indianapolis Arsenal Technical X
Greenwood Community X Indianapolis Bishop Chatard X
Griffith X Indianapolis Broad Ripple X
Guerin Catholic X Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter X
Hagerstown X Indianapolis Cathedral X
Hamilton X Indianapolis Crispus Attucks X
Hamilton Heights X Indianapolis Emmerich Manual X
Hamilton Southeastern X Indianapolis George Washington X
Hammond X Indianapolis Howe Academy X
Hammond Bishop Noll X Indianapolis Lutheran X
Hammond Clark X Indianapolis Marshall X
Hammond Gavit X Indianapolis Metropolitan X
Hammond Morton X Indianapolis Northwest X
Hanover Central X Indianapolis Scecina Memorial X
Harding X Indianapolis Shortridge X
Harrison (West Lafayette) X International School of Indiana X
Hauser X Irvington Preparatory Academy X
Hebron X Jac‐Cen‐Del X
Henryville X Jasper X
Heritage X Jay County X
Heritage Christian X Jeffersonville X
Heritage Hills X Jennings County X
Herron X Jimtown X
Highland X Kankakee Valley X
Hobart X Knightstown X
Holy Cross X Knox X
Homestead X Kokomo X
Howe School, The X Kouts X
Huntington North X LaCrosse X
Indian Creek X Lafayette Central Catholic X
Principals' Responses to Survey Regarding Home Schooled Students Participating on Athletic Teams at IHSAA Member
Schools
School Support Opposed No Resp. School Support Opposed No Resp.
Lake Central X Mitchell X
Lake Station Edison X Monroe Central X
Lakeland X Monrovia X
Lakeland Christian Academy X Mooresville X
Lakewood Park Christian X Morgan Township X
Lanesville X Morristown X
Lapel X Mt. Vernon X
LaPorte X Mt. Vernon (Fortville) X
LaVille X Muncie Burris X
Lawrence Central X Muncie Central X
Lawrence North X Muncie Southside X
Lawrenceburg X Munster X
Lebanon X New Albany X
Leo X New Castle Chrysler X
Liberty Christian X New Harmony X
Linton‐Stockton X New Haven X
Logansport X New Palestine X
Loogootee X New Prairie X
Lowell X New Washington X
Maconaquah X Noblesville X
Madison Consolidated X North Central (Farmersburg) X
Madison‐Grant X North Central (Indianapolis) X
Manchester X North Daviess X
Marion X North Decatur X
Marquette Catholic X North Harrison X
Martinsville X North Judson‐San Pierre X
McCutcheon X North Knox X
Medora X North Miami X
Merrillville X North Montgomery X
Michigan City X North Newton X
Milan X North Posey X
Mishawaka X North Putnam X
Mishawaka Marian X North Vermillion X
Principals' Responses to Survey Regarding Home Schooled Students Participating on Athletic Teams at IHSAA Member
Schools
School Support Opposed No Resp. School Support Opposed No Resp.
Northeast Dubois X Riverton Parke X
Northeastern X Rochester Community X
Northfield X Rock Creek Academy X
Northridge X Rockville X
Northview X Roncalli X
Northwestern X Rossville X
NorthWood X Rushville Consolidated X
Norwell X Salem X
Oak Hill X Scottsburg X
Oldenburg Academy X Seeger X
Oregon‐Davis X Seton Catholic X
Orleans X Seymour X
Owen Valley X Shakamak X
Paoli X Shawe Memorial X
Park Tudor X Shelbyville X
Pendleton Heights X Shenandoah X
Penn X Sheridan X
Perry Central X Shoals X
Perry Meridian X Signature X
Peru X Silver Creek X
Pike X South Adams X
Pike Central X South Bend Adams X
Pioneer X South Bend Clay X
Plainfield X South Bend Riley X
Plymouth X South Bend St. Joseph's X
Portage X South Bend Washington X
Prairie Heights X South Central (Elizabeth) X
Princeton Community X South Central (Union Mills) X
Providence X South Dearborn X
Randolph Southern X South Decatur X
Rensselaer Central X South Knox X
Richmond X South Newton X
Rising Sun X South Putnam X
Principals' Responses to Survey Regarding Home Schooled Students Participating on Athletic Teams at IHSAA Member
Schools
School Support Opposed No Resp. School Support Opposed No Resp.
South Spencer X University X
South Vermillion X Valparaiso X
Southern Wells X Vincennes Lincoln X
Southmont X Vincennes Rivet X
Southport X Wabash X
Southridge X Waldron X
Southwestern (Hanover) X Wapahani X
Southwestern (Shelbyville) X Warren Central X
Southwood X Warsaw Community X
Speedway X Washington X
Springs Valley X Washington Catholic X
Sullivan X Washington Township X
Switzerland County X Wawasee X
Taylor X Wes‐Del X
Tecumseh X West Central X
Tell City X West Lafayette X
Terre Haute North Vigo X West Noble X
Terre Haute South Vigo X West Vigo X
Tindley X West Washington X
Tippecanoe Valley X Western X
Tipton X Western Boone X
Tri X Westfield X
Tri‐Central X Westview X
Tri‐County X Westville X
Trinity Lutheran X Wheeler X
Triton X White River Valley X
Triton Central X Whiteland Community X
Tri‐West Hendricks X White's X
Turkey Run X Whiting X
Twin Lakes X Whitko X
Union (Dugger) X Winamac Community X
Union (Modoc) X Winchester Community X
Union City X Wood Memorial X
Principals' Responses to Survey Regarding Home Schooled Students Participating on Athletic Teams at IHSAA Member
Schools
School Support Opposed No Resp.
Yorktown X
Zionsville X
totals 25 330 55
School Support Opposed PrincEmail 21st Century Charter School ‐ Gary awest@geoacademies.org Adams Central mcconnell@accs.k12.in.us Alexandria Monroe jregenold@alex.k12.in.us Andrean pquanz@andreanhs.com Angola sgrill@msdsc.org Avon wradcock@avon‐schools.org Baptist Academy tbrown@baptistacademy.org Barr‐Reeve tmadison@barr.k12.in.us Batesville spreston@batesville.k12.in.us Bedford North Lawrence denneyb@nlcs.k12.in.us Benton Central dhaas@benton.k12.in.us Bethany Christian akdueck@bethanycs.net Bethesda Christian cchandler@ebethesda.org Blackford sneat@bcs.k12.in.us Bloomington North jhenders@mccsc.edu Bloomington South mfletche@mccsc.edu Blue River Valley khowell@brv.k12.in.us Boone Grove derg@ptsc.k12.in.us Bowman Leadership Academy gadell@aqs.org Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory lturner@brebeuf.org Cambridge City Lincoln mcerqua@wwayne.k12.in.us Campagna Academy mdvorak@cahope.org Cannelton mchapman@cannelton.k12.in.us Carroll (Flora) chuckstep@carroll.k12.in.us Cass isaacsb@sesc.k12.in.us Center Grove shockleym@centergrove.k12.in.us Central Noble broseg@centralnoble.k12.in.us Charlestown khedges@gcs.k12.in.us Churubusco couch.austin@sgcs.k12.in.us Clarksville ballred@ccsc.k12.in.us Clay City bellj@clay.k12.in.us Cloverdale sstoltz@cloverdale.k12.in.us Columbia City goewertga@wccs.k12.in.us Columbus East newellm@bcsc.k12.in.us Concord dcunning@concord.k12.in.us Corydon Central popeg@shcsc.k12.in.us Covenant Christian (DeMotte) coudman@cchrhs.org Covenant Christian (Indpls) brianhudson@covenantchristian.org Covington welchansa@covington.k12.in.us Crawford County ksheller@cccs.k12.in.us Crawfordsville ghunt@cville.k12.in.us Crothersville dschill@crothk12.org Crown Point eban@cps.k12.in.us Culver Academies lintnek@culver.org Danville Community phamann@danville.k12.in.us Delphi Community stoneb@delphi.k12.in.us
Delta jkoger@delcomschools.org East Central rshipley@sunmandearborn.k12.in.us East Chicago Central jwhite@ecps.org East Noble bcompton@eastnoble.net Eastbrook pmclaughlin@eastbrook.k12.in.us Eastern (Greentown) Lisa.Smith@eastern.k12.in.us Eastside lyoder@dke.k12.in.us Edinburgh krockey@ecsc.k12.in.us Elkhart Central fserge@blueblazers.org Elkhart Christian Academy salberts@elkhartchristian.org Elkhart Memorial mtobolski@elkhart.k12.in.us Elwood Community teder@elwood.k12.in.us Eminence mhoke@eminence.k12.in.us Evansville Day mjgibson@evansvilledayschool.org Evansville F.J. Reitz christine.settle@evsc.k12.in.us Evansville Harrison elizabeth.wells@evsc.k12.in.us Faith Christian sgrass@fcslafayette.org Fall Creek Academy asilverman@geoacademies.org Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger jschiffli@bishopdwenger.com Fort Wayne Bishop Luers mkeefer@bishopluers.org Fort Wayne Canterbury bschantz@canterburyschool.org Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran jmarks@clhscadets.com Fort Wayne Snider deborah.watson@fwcs.k12.in.us Fort Wayne Wayne Thomas.Smith@fwcs.k12.in.us Fountain Central adamsl@sefschools.org Frankfort antonellik@frankfort.k12.in.us Franklin Central kevin.koers@ftcsc.k12.in.us Franklin Community mccaffreyc@fcsc.k12.in.us Franklin County kgrider@fccsc.k12.in.us Frankton jhoss@flcs.k12.in.us Gary Lighthouse chart@lighthouse‐academies.org Gary Wallace lupshaw@garycsc.k12.in.us Gary West Side jdunlap@garycsc.k12.in.us Glenn wmorton@jgsc.k12.in.us Greencastle rcorn@greencastle.k12.in.us Greenfield‐Central sbryant@gcsc.k12.in.us Greensburg pchapple@greensburg.k12.in.us Greenwood Christian Academy bpeters@gcak12.org Greenwood Community jkaylor@gws.k12.in.us Griffith bmanuel@griffith.k12.in.us Guerin Catholic rwagner@guerincatholic.org Hagerstown mchilds@nettlecreek.k12.in.us Hamilton barbara.weber@hamiltoncomm.com Hammond rjwilson@hammond.k12.in.us Hammond Gavit srpeterson@hammond.k12.in.us Hammond Morton dmfriend@hammond.k12.in.us Hanover Central rmcrae@hanover.k12.in.us
Harding nbrown@eacs.k12.in.us Hauser kharsh@flatrock.k12.in.us Henryville talbert@henryville.wclark.k12.in.us Heritage brohrbacher@eacs.k12.in.us Heritage Christian jeff.mcmaster@heritagechristian.net Heritage Hills nalcorn@nspencer.k12.in.us Herron jmcneal@herronhighschool.org Highland pweil@highland.k12.in.us Hobart davids@hobart.k12.in.us Holy Cross cary.molinder@gibault.org Howe School, The ldefelice@thehoweschool.org Huntington North sdoepker@hccsc.k12.in.us Indian Creek acline@nhj.k12.in.us Indiana School for the Blind jwilson@isbvik12.org Indiana School for the Deaf dskjeveland@isd.k12.in.us Indianapolis Arlington shippc@ips.k12.in.us Indianapolis Arsenal Technical bogards@ips.k12.in.us Indianapolis Bishop Chatard jatha@bishopchatard.org Indianapolis Broad Ripple davislx@ips.k12.in.us Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter jhoy@cardinalritter.org Indianapolis Cathedral dworland@cathedral‐irish.org Indianapolis Emmerich Manual owense@ips.k12.in.us Indianapolis George Washington leserd@ips.k12.in.us Indianapolis Howe Academy nixons@ips.k12.in.us Indianapolis Marshall sullivmd@ips.k12.in.us Indianapolis Metropolitan carlotta.cooprider@indianapolismet.org Indianapolis Northwest yarrelll@ips.k12.in.us Indianapolis Scecina Memorial jtherber@scecina.org Indianapolis Shortridge cosbybd@ips.k12.in.us International School of Indiana murquhart@isind.org Irvington Preparatory Academy dwerner@ics‐charter.org Jasper bhacker@gjcs.k12.in.us Jennings County ttaylor@jcsc.org Knightstown sritchie@cabeard.k12.in.us Knox eratliff@knox.k12.in.us LaCrosse tsomers@lacrosse.k12.in.us Lafayette Jefferson jstudebaker@lsc.k12.in.us Lake Central rmcdermo@lcscmail.com Lake Station Edison bbush@lakes.k12.in.us Lakeland emerkel@lakeland.k12.in.us Lakeland Christian Academy jlavender@lcacougars.com Lakewood Park Christian mchristner@lakewoodpark.org Lapel ggranger@flcs.k12.in.us LaVille cphillips@unorth.k12.in.us Lawrence Central kevinbrown@msdlt.k12.in.us Lawrenceburg bsnyder@lburg.k12.in.us Lebanon orourkek@leb.k12.in.us
Leo nbrown@eacs.k12.in.us Liberty Christian amy.conrad@libertyonline.org Logansport gardnerj@lcsc.k12.in.us Madison Consolidated kyancey@madison.k12.in.us Marion jbragg@marion.k12.in.us Marquette Catholic jwhite@marquette‐hs.org McCutcheon jbeeker@tsc.k12.in.us Medora bmccamon@medora.k12.in.us Merrillville mkrutz@mvsc.k12.in.us Michigan City mfrancesconi@mcas.k12.in.us Mishawaka calderonej@mishawaka.k12.in.us Mississinewa lezlie_winter@olemiss.k12.in.us Mitchell phillipss@mitchell.k12.in.us Monroe Central adrianm@monroecentral.org Mooresville cmuston@mcsc.k12.in.us Morgan Township dolores.mueller@epcsc.k12.in.us Morristown mbrown@ses.k12.in.us Muncie Burris jmcgee@bsu.edu Muncie Central cesmith@muncie.k12.in.us New Albany jpage@nafcs.k12.in.us New Palestine kkirby@newpal.k12.in.us North Central (Farmersburg) dunningk@nesc.k12.in.us North Judson‐San Pierre azupin@njsp.k12.in.us North Miami mwatkins@nmcs.k12.in.us North Newton jhettinger@nn.k12.in.us North Putnam azerkel@nputnam.k12.in.us North White rmckee@nwhite.k12.in.us Northeast Dubois rgladish@nedubois.k12.in.us Northfield hoffertd@msdwc.k12.in.us Northridge lyngs@mcsin‐k12.org Northview raylet@clay.k12.in.us NorthWood dmaugel@wanee.org Norwell mark.misch@nwcs.k12.in.us Oldenburg Academy brose@oldenburgacademy.org Oregon‐Davis gbriles@od.k12.in.us Park Tudor deverett@parktudor.org Penn shope@phm.k12.in.us Perry Central wrighj@pccs.k12.in.us Perry Meridian jellis@msdpt.k12.in.us Peru khanson@peru.k12.in.us Pike TBInman@pike.k12.in.us Pike Central lkelley@pcsc.k12.in.us Plainfield kjacobs@plainfield.k12.in.us Prairie Heights dhousel@ph.k12.in.us Providence mernstberger@providencehigh.net Richmond bergdollb@rcs.k12.in.us Rising Sun kmajewski@risingsun.k12.in.us
