Non-Traditional Students - Non-traditional students include the following students:

  • a student enrolled in a public virtual school recognized by the Tennessee Department of Education
  • a legally-registered independent homeschool student
  • a homeschool student enrolled in a church-related umbrella school
  • a homeschool student enrolled in an online accredited school
  • a student enrolled in a non-member independent school with an enrollment of less than 200 students in grades 9-12 (high school) or 6-8 (middle school) and that does not offer the sport in which the student wishes to participate

Eligibility of Non-Traditional Students

This bylaw establishes the minimum eligibility requirements for a non-traditional student desiring to practice, try out, and participate at any level in extracurricular athletics at a TSSAA member school.

  1. The family must reside in the TSSAA member school's territory.

    For a public school, the “territory” of the school is the geographic boundaries and bus routes of the area served by that school as established by the local board of education. For a system-wide public school or charter school, the “territory” of the school is the geographic boundaries of the school system. For a non-public school, the “territory” of the school is the area within a twenty (20) mile radius of the school.

  2. The parent or guardian must notify the principal of the TSSAA member school of the non-traditional student’s intent to try out and possibly participate before the first official practice date in the sport.

  3. A non-traditional student participating for an independent school must pay full tuition and abide by all financial aid rules. For the purpose of this rule, “full tuition” is defined as the same amount paid by all other students enrolled and in regular attendance at the school.
  4. An enrolled student may move from a member school to a non-traditional setting and continue to participate for the same school, provided they meet all other requirements.
  5. A non-traditional student may move to the member school where they participate and continue to participate for that school.
  6. Non-traditional students must meet all other eligibility requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How is the tuition and financial aid rule applied to a non-traditional student who attends an independent school?

    The student must pay full tuition at the independent school and meet the same financial aid requirements as a traditional student.
  2. How is the academic rule applied to non-traditional students?

    If the student is enrolled in a school or virtual program that awards traditional academic credits, then the student must earn credits in the same manner as traditional students under the Academic Rule. If the student is enrolled in a school or program that does not award traditional academic credits, then the student must achieve sufficient academic progress each semester to remain on track for graduation at the conclusion of four years from the beginning of his/her freshman year.
  3. When must a non-traditional student notify a school of his/her intent to participate?

    A student should notify the member school of his/her intent to participate before the first practice date in the sport.
  4. Where can non-traditional students participate in athletics?

    A non-traditional student may only participate for a school serving the territory in which they live. These schools include the student’s zoned public school, a system-wide charter or magnet school, or an independent school that serves the territory in which they live.