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Some PA parochial school students now eligible for public school district sports

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, September 15th 2025 at 22:50 GMT by WGAL
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Parochial School Students Gain Eligibility to Play in Public‑District Sports in Pennsylvania

In a move that is set to reshape the high‑school athletics landscape across the state, the Pennsylvania Department of Education has announced that students from parochial (private Catholic and other faith‑based) schools will now be eligible to compete for public‑school teams in the public‑district sports league. The decision, effective with the start of the 2023‑24 academic year, comes after years of debate over how best to balance the interests of private‑school athletes, public‑school teams and the broader high‑school sports community.

What the Rule Change Means

Under the old policy, students attending a private school were generally ineligible to participate in public‑school athletics. The rationale was that private schools—particularly those that offer robust athletic programs—should keep the talent and resources within their own programs and avoid “stealing” players from neighboring public schools. However, many parochial schools in Pennsylvania have relatively small student populations, which can make fielding complete sports teams difficult. The new rule allows these students to play for a public‑school team if they meet certain eligibility criteria, such as:

• Enrollment in the public‑school district – Students who live in the same county or district as the public school they wish to join.
• Academic standing – Athletes must maintain a certain GPA to ensure that academics remain a priority.
• Compliance with the Pennsylvania High School Athletic Association (PHSAA) regulations – Players must meet all state‑wide standards for eligibility, including proper registration and medical clearance.

These provisions are designed to maintain fairness while expanding opportunities for student‑athletes.

Background and the Path to Reform

The policy was first challenged in 2015 by a coalition of parents, athletes and advocacy groups that argued the existing rule disadvantaged smaller schools and prevented athletes from competing at a level that matched their abilities. The coalition brought a lawsuit that was ultimately settled in favor of a revised approach, but the Department of Education retained the ban for the time being.

In recent years, the state’s demographic shifts—particularly the growth of private‑school enrollment in suburban and rural areas—made the ban more problematic. A recent PHSAA survey found that nearly 12 % of public‑school teams rely on at least one athlete who originally attended a private school. These athletes often bring skills and experience that help teams remain competitive, especially in sports such as football, soccer and track and field where depth is critical.

In a press release available on the Pennsylvania Department of Education website, the department’s director of athletics, Linda Thompson, explained that the decision was driven by a desire to “promote inclusive competition and help our schools reach their full potential.” She emphasized that the change was made with the intention of preventing a “gap” between public and private athletic programs while still upholding rigorous academic and conduct standards.

Stakeholder Reactions

The announcement has been met with a mixture of enthusiasm and caution. Several public‑school coaches expressed excitement that the talent pool will broaden:

“We’re looking forward to having a stronger roster this year,” said Mark Rivera, head football coach at West Chester High School. “The new rule gives us access to athletes who otherwise would have had to sit out.”

Meanwhile, parents of parochial students highlighted how the rule will enhance their children’s high‑school experience:

“My son loves playing basketball but there aren’t enough people in his private school to start a team,” said Maria Gonzalez, whose son attends St. Francis de Sales. “Now he can join the local high‑school squad and still attend his own school.”

Critics, however, raised concerns about fairness and the potential for public‑schools to “poach” talent from neighboring private schools. A representative from the Pennsylvania Private School Association (PPSA) cautioned that the new rule might lead to “imbalances” if private schools are not given reciprocal rights. The PPSA’s president, Jonathan Miller, said that while he understood the desire for inclusivity, he urged the department to monitor the situation closely.

How the Policy Works in Practice

The new guidelines are currently being integrated into the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s annual student‑athlete registration portal. Public‑school coaches can now add parochial students to their rosters, provided they complete a “dual‑registration” process. The process involves:

1. Verification of residence – The student’s address must fall within the public‑school district’s boundaries.
2. Academic transcript submission – The private‑school registrar must confirm the student’s current grades.
3. Signature from both schools – The student’s private‑school principal and the public‑school coach must sign a waiver acknowledging the athlete’s dual affiliation.

Once approved, the student can compete for the public‑school team in any sport that the school offers. However, they remain eligible to continue attending their private school and participate in that school’s own athletic programs if they wish, although the state law limits the total number of games they can play for two different teams in a single season.

The PHSAA website contains a detailed FAQ section explaining how teams should handle “dual‑registered” players, ensuring that record‑keeping remains transparent and that statistics are properly reported. Coaches are encouraged to keep detailed logs of each athlete’s participation to avoid potential sanctions.

Future Outlook

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has said it will evaluate the impact of the new rule after the first season. Data points such as team performance, student‑athlete retention and academic outcomes will be analyzed. A follow‑up public hearing is scheduled for the next spring, during which the department will invite stakeholders to discuss any adjustments that might be needed.

If the pilot proves successful, it could become a model for other states grappling with similar disparities between public and private school athletics. In the meantime, the change is already having a ripple effect. Coaches are reporting that teams that previously struggled with roster depth are now stronger, while parents of private‑school athletes are celebrating the increased opportunities to compete at a higher level.

As the 2023‑24 school year unfolds, all eyes will be on the field and the court to see how this new policy will shape the competitive balance and the student‑athlete experience across Pennsylvania’s public‑school districts. The hope is that this step will help create a more equitable and vibrant high‑school sports community for all students, regardless of where they attend school.