Charter Schools Receive IHSAA Approval

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Three Indiana charter high schools have been approved for probationary membership in the Indiana High School Athletic Association. Students at the schools will be able to participate in regular season games immediately, and in state tournaments after a four-year probationary period.

Providence Cristo Rey High School and two other Indiana schools were approved for initial probationary membership by the executive committee of the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) on August 8, 2013. Smith Academy in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis Lighthouse Charter were also approved.

Students will be able to compete in regular season events immediately but, by IHSAA rule, won’t be eligible to participate in state tournament series competition for four years (2017-18). Each school will enter a four-year probationary membership period during which it will be required to meet a number of criteria in order to gain full membership.

Providence Cristo Rey has been a member of the Central Indiana Athletic Conference, but has played IHSAA-sanctioned schools throughout its history. The move to the IHSAA was important for two reasons, said PCRHS Athletic Director Andrew Dishman. “The IHSAA brand is strong among our parents, and becoming an IHSAA school will further enhance school pride and student interest in athletics,” he said. “In addition, it will help us attract new student-athletes who want to be part of building a winning tradition here.”

Among the criteria are adhering to all IHSAA rules and regulations, maintaining at least one team and program for each gender in each season (fall, winter and spring), attending the IHSAA New School Orientation, and attending all seasonal meetings and educational opportunities for the principal and athletic director.

In addition, each school will be monitored for compliance by an IHSAA assistant commissioner who has been assigned to mentor the school’s administrators during the first two years of probationary membership. At the end of the four-year period (June 2017), the IHSAA Executive Committee will review the school’s overall compliance and vote to determine whether the school will gain full membership.

Source: Providence Cristo Rey High School