Athletics
Athletics at Phoenix
When Phoenix was designed, we made a deliberate choice: Phoenix students can play sports with their neighborhood middle school. One reason is simple and important. It helps students stay connected with friends they’ve known since elementary school, while still being part of the Phoenix community.
To get the most current info (tryouts, schedules, locations, forms, and updates), families should follow their neighborhood school’s athletics page:
Transportation for afternoon activities (District Shuttle)
Phoenix students who participate in after-school practices or activities at their neighborhood middle school can use district transportation.
A district shuttle typically leaves Phoenix around 3:50 PM and transports students (Cardinals and Wolves) to their neighborhood school practice or after-school activity.
Important: Families are responsible for pickup after practice or the activity ends. Because end times vary by sport, season, and team, parents should confirm what time students are released and where pickup happens through the neighborhood school/coach.
Getting started (a quick checklist)
Most seasons move fast, so it helps to check these early:
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Watch your neighborhood athletics page for tryout dates, practice info, and any team updates.
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Complete athletic forms online (FinalForms is used across the district).
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Make sure your physical is current (OHSAA pre-participation physical form).
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Pay athletic fees when rosters are finalized (usually through MyPaymentsPlus).
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Double-check where practices and games are held. Some sports are combined teams and may practice or compete at a different site than your home middle school.
Combined teams and shared sports
Some middle school sports are “combined” across buildings and may practice or compete at a host site (for example, at a high school campus or a partner middle school). The seasonal chart below gives a general overview, but the neighborhood athletics pages are always the best source for the most up-to-date details.
Esports at Phoenix
Phoenix students can also participate in scholastic esports, which is organized, school-based competitive gaming with adult supervision and clear expectations for teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship. We designed our esports programs to support students’ connection to school, build collaboration skills, and create another way for students to belong, especially for kids who may not be interested in traditional sports. Like other school-sponsored activities, esports participation follows the same eligibility expectations listed below.
Extracurricular & Athletic Eligibility
Worthington Schools’ student eligibility policy is aligned with Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) guidelines. To participate in a school-sponsored extracurricular activity, students must have earned passing grades in at least four classes the previous quarter.
At Phoenix, “passing” is defined through mastery learning. That means students must be at Mastery in at least 4 out of 6 core classes at the end of the quarter to participate in the next sports season or activity cycle. For example, if a student is not at Mastery in at least four core classes after the fall quarter, they are ineligible for the winter season.
In addition, Phoenix tracks eligibility week to week. Families can see this in the Phoenix M.A.P. (our online assessment portal), which includes a simple green/red indicator updated daily. To participate in activities that week (including school-sponsored clubs, practices, and games/matches), students should be:
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at Mastery in at least 4 out of 6 classes, or
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have fewer than 9 total assignments that are missing or in revision.
Weekly eligibility is based on what a student turns in that week, the quality of the work, and effort. If a student is missing a significant number of Introductory or Practice assignments, families and/or Phoenix staff may also decide it’s best for the student to sit out for a week to get caught up.
If a student becomes ineligible, the first week is a warning week. Students may still participate in practices and events while they work to take care of the classwork in question. If the work isn’t addressed by the following Monday, the student is considered ineligible for the entire week, which includes all practices and games/matches/performances. Ineligible students are expected to stay at school during Learning Extensions to work on assignments throughout that week. Families will be notified by the following Monday once the student has again become eligible.
Seasonal Chart
Need help knowing where to start?
If you’re unsure which sports are available, where a team practices, or which school’s updates to follow, start with your neighborhood athletics page and the Middle School Attendance Areas map. If you have questions about academic eligibility, Phoenix staff can help you interpret what you’re seeing in M.A.P. and make a plan.
Where to go next: Activities (for clubs, Discovery Days, and other ways to get involved at Phoenix).