Clarification and Scenarios for New VHSL Transfer Rules

1. 8th graders must play JV sports for their zoned high school or not at all.  VHSL rule 28A-3-2(4).  This is immediate.
2. Middle school sports have nothing to do with the VHSL regarding eligibility.
3. Natural transition.  Starting in the fall of 2026, 8th graders establish their feeder pattern to high school.  For FTBMS and CMS, "A feeder school may be a feeder for multiple high schools.  For eligibility purposes, students will be deemed eligible at their School Board assigned high school." VHSL rule 28A-7-2; 8 (5) Note B. 
4. The superintendent or School Board may waive transfer eligibility rules for any student who resides within Culpeper County.  Dr. Brads has expressed interest in doing this for all CCPS full time employees.  If the rule is waived for a student, it needs to be noted for that student on the MEL (Master Eligibility List).  
5. Students who sit out of VHSL competition for 365 days after transferring to and enrolling in an out of zone high school will become immediately eligible at that school.
   1. Sitting out in 8th grade does not constitute the 365 days referenced above because a student cannot be enrolled in high school until 9th grade.

Scenarios for the Phasing-In of New VHSL Transfer Rules

1. 8th grade student in 2025-26. May play JV sports at the high school they are zoned for.  There is no out of zone JV participation for 8th graders.  
   1. VHSL rule: 

“*Eighth grade students on an MEL of the high school and participate on a junior varsity high school team must comply with VHSL rules and regulations.  An eighth grade student is not eligible for participation if living out of attendance zone.  28A-4-3 Interpretations (2a)

2. First time 9th grade student in 2025-26.  Even if you are out of zone, you are immediately eligible for VHSL participation.
3. First time 9th grade student in 2026-27. Even if you are out of zone, you are immediately eligible for VHSL participation.
4. First time 9th grade student in 2027-28. Must have attended the feeder school of the high school for the full year prior to be immediately eligible for VHSL participation. “A feeder school may be a feeder for multiple high schools.  For eligibility purposes, students will be deemed eligible at their School Board assigned high school.” 28A-7-2(5) Note B. Floyd T. Binns Middle School and Culpeper Middle School students must attend their school board assigned high school or be enrolled for 365 days in an out of zone school before becoming eligible for VHSL activities.
5. You are an out of zone student who lives in another county. You may not participate in JV athletics in 8th grade.  This is still the case for children of CCPS fulltime employees.
6. You are an out of zone student who lives in another county and your first 9th grade year is 2027-28.  If you have established yourself in Culpeper County Schools for all of 8th grade you are eligible starting in 9th grade for VHSL activities at the high school you would naturally transition to.
7. Children of CCPS fulltime employees who are also county residents are immediately eligible at the school of their choice based on a superintendent’s waiver.
8. First time 9th graders who are also children of CCPS fulltime employees who are not county residents are immediately eligible at the school of their choice as long as they have attended CCPS schools for the year prior.  This meets the VHSL “natural transition” requirement and the superintendent waiver.