Scholastics Frequently Asked Questions
Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. (PWLS) is the only national youth sports organization in America that requires its participants to perform adequately in the classroom before permitting them to play. We believe that the standards we have set give these children a sense of responsibility and an appreciation for academics and athletics that will help them develop later on in life.
Like such organizations as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and National Federation of High Schools (NFHS), PWLS has academic guidelines and criteria that need to be met in order for a child to participate.
SCHOLASTIC FITNESS: THE NATIONAL POLICY
Proof of satisfactory progress in school is required. A 2.0/70% or the equivalent shall be the minimum grade point average acceptable to participate. In cases of doubt or conflict of opinion, a written statement by the school administration shall be deemed final. NOTE: This rule as it relates to scholastic grades may not be made more stringent by any team, association, or league, as other rules may be. No local team/squad may be eligible to participate in league championships and/or bowl games if it has not met the nationally published scholastic requirements.
WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE A 2.0/70% GRADE POINT AVERAGE?
We understand that not all student-athletes are able to meet our scholastic requirements. If a child does not meet the requirements of scholastic fitness, he/she may fill out and submit a Scholastic Eligibility Form which is to be signed by a school administrator stating that the child will benefit from participating in the Pop Warner Program. It is the discretion of the school administrator as to whether or not the student would benefit from participating in Pop Warner. This form allows us to monitor the progress of the child so that they maintain a minimum standard and understand the value of academics in conjunction with athletics. Any participant who has a scholastics waiver, must also have at least one progress report from the school dated after September 16 and before October 16. This waiver can be a simple letter from the teacher on School letter that gives the child's progress in the current grading period.
2009 Scholastics Eligibility Form
WHAT IF MY CHILD IS HOME SCHOOLED?
Homeschool children need to complete the 2009 Home School Form This form must be accompanied by a progressing progress report or report card from an accredited governing body to be eligible for play after the October 16, 2009, deadline. That report must be dated between September 16, 2009 and October 16, 2009. If the progress report card isn't received within the dates noted above the player shall be found ineligible for the rest of the season.
2009 Home School form (PDF)
WHAT IS THE ALL-AMERICAN SCHOLAR PROGRAM?
Each year, the most academically accomplished Pop Warner kids compete for Academic All-American status. This process begins at the association level and up through each of the eight Pop Warner regions to the national level. In 2008, approximately 400,000 kids participated in Pop Warner. As our numbers once again reached record levels, 276 First Team members, over 5,000 Second Team members and 1,000+ Honorable Mention scholars were named as Academic All-Americans at the National Level for 2007-2008.
The PWLS All-American Program requires a minimum 96% grade point average to apply for All-American status. After the applications have been processed, Pop Warner determines National First Team All-Americans (35 football, 25 cheer per grade), National Second Team All-Americans and National Honorable Mention Scholars.
For additional information on the Pop Warner Little Scholars All-American program, please visit the Pop Warner Website.
