Athletic Placement Process (APP)
Athletic Placement Process (APP)
The Roslyn School District is committed to providing opportunities that meet the needs of all our athletes including the exceptional athletes. To support this, we work in conjunction with the New York State Education Department (NYSED), which offers the Athletic Placement Process (APP), a program designed to allow elite athletes who demonstrate the physical ability and social-emotional maturity to compete safely and effectively at the high school level.
The APP rigorously evaluates a student’s physical maturity, emotional readiness, fitness, and sport-specific skills to ensure that participation at a higher level is both appropriate and safe. This is a highly selective process, and any student advanced from middle school to high school is expected to compete immediately and meaningfully at the highest level.
It is important to clarify that the APP is not intended to:
- Fill roster vacancies on sub-varsity teams (such as Junior Varsity or Freshman teams)
- Provide supplementary experiences
- Replace the middle school program
Effective Spring 2026: Varsity-Only Participation
Beginning with the Spring 2026 athletic season, middle school students who complete the APP will be eligible to try out exclusively for high school Varsity teams. Middle school students will no longer be permitted to participate on high school freshman or Junior Varsity (JV) teams.
This rule ensures that any younger athlete moved to the high school level is competing at the highest developmental and competitive placement, consistent with NYSED’s intent for the APP. If a middle school student-athlete is selected for a Varsity team, it is expected that they will earn a starting role or significant, consistent playing time. Athletes who previously participated on a high school team as a 7th grader may remain on a high school team for their 8th-grade year only if selected by the coach during tryouts.
Consideration for Student Readiness
Even when middle school athletes have the necessary physical skills, they may not yet be socially or emotionally ready for the high school environment, which includes older peers and more complex social dynamics. Remaining in the middle school program often allows athletes to develop confidence, skills, and peer connections in a supportive, age-appropriate setting, laying the foundation for long-term athletic and personal growth.
The APP Application Process
Should you choose to pursue the APP for your child, the following steps must be completed:
- Parent/guardian written permission.
- Completion of the student-athlete’s competitive experience and athletic goals form.
- Medical clearance from the school medical director, including physical maturity assessment using the Tanner Scale.
- Physical fitness assessment conducted by a physical education teacher or athletic administrator.
- Successful completion of a three-day tryout period.