1. How High School course selection can impact becoming a college athlete
Get Ready, Get Set. Go!
Grade 9
Start planning now: take the right courses and
work hard to earn the best grades possible.
Make sure to take the right classes
Check the list of NCAA-approved courses

2. 4 x 4 = 16 How to plan your high school courses
to meet the 16 core-course requirement:
4 x 4 = 16
4 English courses (one per year)
+ 4 math courses (one per year)
+ 4 science courses (one per year)
+ 4 social science (and/or additional) courses (one per year)
16 NCAA core courses

3. What is a Core Course?
NCAA schools require college bound students to build a foundation of high school courses to prepare them for the academic expectations in college.
For a high school class to be an NCAA-approved course, it MUST meet these conditions:
English
Math (Algebra 1 or higher)
Natural/physical science
Social Science
Foreign language or
Comparative religion or philosophy

4. What is Not a Core Class Continued from last slide:
Be taught at or above high school regular academic level.
Receive credit towards high school graduation. (Pass Class)
What is Not a Core Class
Fine arts or vocations such as driver education, typing, art, music, physical education and welding.
Personal Finance Consumer education or tech prep.
Courses below grade level or at a slower pace
Courses which are not academic in nature such as film appreciation, video editing or greenhouse management.
Credit-by-exam courses are not considered NCAA approved core courses.

5. Courses Taken Before High School
Core Course Credits
You can earn credit for core course only once. You may retake a class and the higher grade will count .
Courses Taken Before High School
If you take a high school class such as Algebra 1 or Spanish
1 in eighth grade, the class may count toward your 16 core
courses if it appears on your high school’s list of NCAA approved courses and is shown on your high school
transcript with grade and credit.

6. Grade Point Average
Your GPA is calculated on a scale. Numeric grades
such as 92 or 87 are changed to letter grades such as A or
B. The NCAA Eligibility Center does not use plus or minus
grades when calculating your GPA. Weighted honors or
advanced placement courses may improve your core-course
GPA but your high school must notify the NCAA Eligibility
Center that it weights grades in these classes.
Good grades are ESSENTIAL!!!
- Colleges look at Grades, Class Rank, Class Selection

9. The four parts to initial eligibility
1. Graduation from high school.
2. The NCAA Clearinghouse 16 Core Course requirement.
3. Obtain a minimum core grade-point average.
4. Obtain a minimum ACT or SAT test score.
Reminder, you must first be determined a “qualifier”

10. Advice FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE YEAR
Check with your counselor to be sure that you are
taking courses that meet the NCAA‘s initial eligibility requirements. (It is your responsibility to inform school personnel of your intent to play college sports.) Your scholastic record is important.
Begin to keep photocopies of all ―press releases‖ mentioning your name, including articles in local newspapers and our own school paper. You will want to include a couple of the best ones in your mailings to interest coaches.
You may wish to have your performances video taped. This will give coaches the chance to see you playing your sport. (See Appendix for guidelines on creating an effective presentation video.)
Be a team player both on and off the field, your ATTITUDE will be noticed by coaches and teachers. Remember, these people may be writing college recommendations for you in the future.
It is appropriate to write a brief letter of introduction and interest to college coaches at this time, but you will send a more detailed communication with your athletic resume your junior year.

11. NCAA Website: Please contact Athletic Director,
Steve Gertz at or Joanne Yakes, counselor at for questions.
NCAA Website: