Open Enrolled and Want to Participate in Athletics? Here’s What You Need to Know

Open Enrolled and Want to Participate in Athletics? Here’s What You Need to Know

If you’ve chosen open enrollment for your student and they’re interested in playing school sports, it’s important to understand the rules around athletic eligibility in Iowa. Student-athlete eligibility is governed by the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) under Chapter 281 of the Iowa Administrative Code.

The 90-Day Rule

In most cases, when a student transfers to a new school district, the General Transfer Rule (281—IAC 36.15(3)) applies. This rule states that student-athletes must wait 90 school days (excluding summer school) before becoming eligible to play varsity athletics.

Exceptions to the Rule

There are several situations where a student may be eligible to participate immediately:
First-time 9th Grader: Students entering 9th grade for the first time may compete right away, as long as they didn’t participate in a school athletic event during the summer following 8th grade.
Activity Not Available: If the student’s resident district doesn’t offer the sport they want to play, they can participate immediately at their new school.
Cooperative Agreement: If the resident and receiving districts have a cooperative participation agreement in place, eligibility may begin right away.
Other Placements: The 90-day restriction does not apply to students placed temporarily in foster care, juvenile detention, or a treatment facility.

Where to Find More Information

Families should always consult the IHSAA and IGHSAU handbooks (listed on this website) as well as the Iowa Department of Education website for the most up-to-date information.