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Homeschool UIL Participation

Bridgeport Independent School District is excited to announce that homeschool students can now participate in UIL Academics, Arts & Athletics this school year at the SUB-VARSITY LEVEL ONLY.

Here's How

Texas House Bill 547 gives school districts the option to allow homeschooled students residing within district boundaries to participate in UIL activities as a member of the district's teams/activities/events.

Please review the information below to help answer any questions you may have, and to understand what documents must be submitted. Please note that UIL Homeschool Participation at BISD will NOT include Varsity level for this year.

Questions?

Contact our Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, P.J. Giamanco at pgiamanco@bridgeportisd.net
with any questions you might have.

Homeschool UIL Participation Interest Form

Guidelines

Prior to Practice or Participation:

  • Parents/Guardians must submit BISD UIL Participation Application for Non-enrolled Students to the Student Services Department at least 5 weeks prior to the first game or performance to initiate the homeschool participation and process.

  • Family completes New Student Online Registration in Ascender Family Access and provides all required documentation similar to BISD enrollee. This can be found under the Parents and Students tab on the district website.

  • The PEIMS Director will process the application and enroll the student as a “Zero Member” if they are attending school for less than 2 hours/day, according to the assistant superintendent verification.

  • Complete and Submit Athletic Physical before the first day of practice, if required.

  • Complete Rank One paperwork

  • Attend the Homeschool participation orientation organized by the Student Services Department

Academic Eligibility:

  • Provide proof of residency, similar to all BISD students, review will occur through TEA district locator.

  • All homeschooled high school students must demonstrate grade-level academic proficiency on any nationally recognized, norm-referenced assessment instrument, such as: the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, Stanford Achievement Test, California Achievement Test, or Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills. BISD will accept these assessment results if they are administered and reported by a third party. Results must be current, meaning within the previous school year, and should be submitted prior to the start of the first six weeks grading period of the participating year.

  • In order to maintain academic eligibility, the homeschooled family must periodically (in accordance with BISD's grading calendar) provide written verification to BISD stating that the student is receiving a passing grade in each course or subject.

Participation Requirements:

  • A homeschooled student must declare intention to participate in a sport/event/activity annually, using the UIL Application.

  • A homeschooled student must participate in all required activities of the sport/event/activity they are a part of, unless otherwise approved by the appropriate coach or UIL sponsor. This includes participation in all in-season and offseason (year-round) school class-period practices, workouts, and/or meetings.

Restrictions:

  • A homeschooled student is not permitted to participate in a sport/event/activity during the remainder of any school year during which the student was previously enrolled in a public school.

  • Homeschooled students are not permitted to participate in more than one athletic period during the day. (UIL rule for all enrolled students.)

  • Quitting, withdrawing, or not attending off-season practice will determine a student is ineligible to participate in BISD activities going forward.

  • A homeschooled student must abide by the rules and regulations as provided in the BISD Student Code of Conduct.

  • The homeschooled student must ride district-provided transportation to games/events.