Athletic Placement Process (APP) Update

Parent/Guardian Information

The Starpoint Central School District participates in the New York State Education Department’s Athletic Placement Process (APP), which evaluates exceptionally skilled 7th and 8th graders to determine if they can safely compete at the JV or varsity level. For the first time since 2017, this process is being updated.

Who is making the change?
The New York State Board of Regents has officially adopted changes that took effect on July 29, 2026. While the regulations have been adopted, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) is still developing implementation guidance for schools.

Why are changes being made?
These changes are intended to modernize the APP while continuing to prioritize student health, safety, and appropriate placement.

What’s changing?

Key differences in the new APP process include:
7th and 8th grade students may only try out for high school teams by invitation of the school or district Athletic Director. Once students are deemed eligible to try out, the same selection criteria must be applied consistently to all participants.
The Tanner Sexual Maturity Scale has been eliminated entirely. NYSED determined there are more appropriate, less intrusive, and research-based methods for assessing a student's readiness for interscholastic athletics.
Rather than relying on physiological maturity, healthcare providers will evaluate a student's overall physical readiness for participation while considering research-based factors associated with injury risk.
APP will now use the same pre-participation health examination for school athletics. It will no longer be a separate medical process.
There is a new focus on overall health, injury risk, strength, skill, and safety. Previously, APP solely focused on physiological maturity.

What does this mean for Starpoint’s athletic program?
The overall purpose of the APP remains the same: to ensure that student-athletes who are considered for participation at a different competition level are physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially prepared while maintaining student safety.

Based on the adopted regulations, Starpoint’s process will include the following:

Coaches will identify and recommend student-athletes they believe are appropriate candidates for the Athletic Placement Process.
The Athletic Director will review those recommendations and invite eligible student-athletes to participate in the APP tryout process.
Parent/guardian permission will still be required before a student may participate in the APP evaluation.
Coaches will evaluate student-athletes using objective, sport-specific criteria that assess:
- Physical fitness
- Sport-specific skills
- Knowledge of the sport
- Personal and social responsibility

What are the next steps?
As NYSED releases additional implementation guidance, we will review our local procedures to ensure full compliance while continuing to provide safe, equitable, and meaningful opportunities for our student-athletes. I will share more information in October regarding the winter sports season, including how to request APP consideration for your child.

Winter Season: TBA

Spartan Athletics