Interscholastic

The interscholastic athletics program in the Adams 12 Five Star Schools provides students enrolled in our schools educational opportunities which are physically wholesome, mentally stimulating and socially satisfying, integrating athletics with the total educational program. All students are encouraged to participate in sports instruction, activities and competitions. Athletics provide students an opportunity to learn and develop myriad number of interests and abilities, which will benefit them while in school and later as adults. Interscholastic athletics offer a special opportunity for young athletes to capture this enthusiasm generated in inter-school contests and channel the enthusiasm toward the development of useful citizenship. Through learning the value of competition and using this highly emotional environment, students develop personal characteristics of emotional maturity, responsibility, leadership, being a team player, goal setting, cooperation valuing the necessity of rules and the appreciation of physical movement.

Purpose and Outcomes of Interscholastic Athletics

To fully utilize the potential for interscholastic athletics as a sound educational experience, programs are organized and conducted with the following basic principles:

• Interscholastic athletics are regarded as an integral part of the total education program.
• Interscholastic athletics is considered a supplement, not a replacement, for physical education.
• Interscholastic athletic programs are conducted in accordance with Superintendent’s policy, appropriate conference/league bylaws, the Colorado High School Activities Association, and the National Federation of State High School Associations.
• Interscholastic athletic activities are under the supervision of certified and approved coaching personnel, under the direction of the building principal, building athletic director and district athletic director.

The safety of the athlete and of the coaching staff are primary focus in the administration of athletic programs and activities.

Middle School Interscholastic Athletics

All middle schools in Adams 12 Five Star Schools are members of the Adams County School District No. 12 Middle School Activities Association. All competition and contests are held within and between the middle schools of District 12. The Middle School Activities Association bylaws and sport regulations supplement the Colorado High School Activities Association and National Federation Activities Association rules.

The Middle School Activities Association believes that athletics are an integral part of the middle school educational experience. Furthermore, the purpose of middle school athletics is to provide opportunities for the middle school student population to participate in inter-school activities, which have educational value and will aid in the preparation for student citizenship.

Middle schools offer interscholastic competition in the following sports: Basketball, Football, Softball Track and Field, Volleyball, and Wrestling. Participation is limited to male and female students in the 7th and 8th grades.

Senior High School Interscholastic Athletics

All senior high schools in Adams 12 Five Star Schools are members of the Front Range Athletic Conference and are members of the Colorado High School Activities Association. All contests and competition are in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Colorado High School Activities Association, National Federation of State High School Association and the Front Range League or other approved conference.

Senior high interscholastic athletics are not a diversion but rather an extension of a good educational program. The activities provide valuable lessons for many practical situations—teamwork, sportsmanship, winning and losing, and hard work. Students learn self-discipline, build self-confidence and develop skills to handle competitive situations. Participation in high school activities is often a predictor of later success in college, in a career, and in becoming a contributing member of society.

Senior high schools offer interscholastic athletic opportunities in the following sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross-Country, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball and Wrestling. Both male and female students in all grades 9-12 are encouraged to participate. Many of the sports are offered to both male and female teams to provide both genders with opportunities for participation.

The purpose or goals of the senior high interscholastic athletic program are:
(All goals are felt to be of equal importance and are not listed by priority.)

• To allow for maximum participation of athletes in a safe environment for students and staff.
• To insure growth and development of participants that will enable the total program to grow.
• To develop an attitude in which players make maximum effort for self-improvement and strive for excellence in performance.
• To encourage an athlete to participate in more than one sport.
• To develop the attitude of players that the effort to win and the will to win is most important.
• To never place the athlete or staff member in an unsafe or dangerous situation.
• To teach individual and team skills of the sport.
• To provide meaningful experiences for participants they will remember and cherish for a lifetime.