Student-Athlete Eligibility

Participation in athletics at Shadow Hills High School is a privilege. Student-athletes must meet the eligibility requirements established by Shadow Hills High School, Desert Sands Unified School District, and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section.

Eligibility requirements may include academic standing, enrollment, age, semesters of attendance, residential and transfer eligibility, amateur status, and other CIF regulations.

Students and families should contact the Shadow Hills Athletic Department before participating if there are questions regarding a student’s eligibility.

Academic Eligibility

Student-athletes must meet all academic eligibility requirements established by CIF Southern Section and Desert Sands Unified School District.

CIF Southern Section requires student-athletes to maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in all enrolled courses at the conclusion of the previous grading period and meet applicable enrollment and scholastic requirements.

Shadow Hills High School verifies academic eligibility at each official grading period. Students who do not meet eligibility requirements may not participate in interscholastic competition until eligibility is regained in accordance with district and CIF regulations.

Transfer Students

Students transferring to Shadow Hills High School after beginning high school at another school may be subject to CIF Southern Section transfer eligibility rules.

Enrollment at Shadow Hills High School does not automatically establish athletic eligibility. Transfer students should contact the Shadow Hills Athletic Department as early as possible so that their athletic eligibility can be reviewed and any required CIF paperwork can be completed.

Eligibility may be affected by a student’s previous school enrollment, athletic participation, residential circumstances, and other factors established by CIF Southern Section. Because every transfer situation is different, students should not participate in an athletic contest until their eligibility has been confirmed.

Families are encouraged to contact the Athletic Department before transferring whenever possible if athletic eligibility is a concern.

Eight Semesters & Age Requirements

CIF Southern Section limits high school athletic eligibility to a maximum of eight consecutive semesters after a student first enters the ninth grade. These semesters are counted consecutively, regardless of whether the student participates in athletics during that time.

CIF also establishes age requirements for high school athletic participation. A student whose 19th birthday occurs on or before June 14 is not eligible to participate or practice during the following school year.

Special circumstances and hardship provisions may apply in limited situations. Students or families with questions regarding semesters of attendance or age eligibility should contact the Shadow Hills Athletic Department for assistance before participating.

Athletic Clearance

All student-athletes must complete the Shadow Hills athletic clearance process before participating in practices, tryouts, or athletic competition.

The clearance process includes online registration through Home Campus, a current athletic physical, required parent/student acknowledgments, and any additional documentation required by Shadow Hills High School or Desert Sands Unified School District.

Submitting the required documents does not mean a student is automatically cleared. Athletic clearance is complete only after the student’s information has been reviewed and approved by Shadow Hills High School.

For complete instructions, physical forms, and clearance information, visit our Athletic Clearance & Forms page.

CIF Southern Section Resources

The resources below provide additional information regarding CIF Southern Section rules, eligibility, transfers, and student-athlete participation. CIF regulations are updated periodically, so families should consult the current CIF Southern Section resources and contact the Shadow Hills Athletic Department with questions regarding an individual student’s eligibility.