INDIANAPOLIS --- As part of its continuing effort to better ensure the integrity of academic credentials used by some high schools in the initial eligibility process, the NCAA will no longer accept the core courses, grades and graduation from four high schools.

The records from Lutheran Christian Academy (Philadelphia), Prince Avenue Preparatory Academy (Pickens, South Carolina), American Academy High School (Miami) and Florida Preparatory Academy (Port Charlotte, Florida) will no longer be accepted when determining prospects’ initial eligibility to compete in intercollegiate athletics.

Lutheran Christian Academy and Prince Avenue Preparatory Academy both reported to the NCAA during the review process that they use the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) program as a primary means of delivering education. ACE has a review process as part of its program to ensure schools administering the ACE curriculum are doing so in an appropriate manner. Schools that meet this standard are given either model or quality status by ACE. The NCAA has determined that in order for a high school that uses the ACE curriculum as its primary means of delivering education to be used in the initial eligibility process, that high school must obtain model or quality status from ACE. Currently, neither Lutheran Christian Academy nor Prince Avenue Preparatory Academy has obtained this status.

The American Academy High School and the Florida Preparatory Academy were both contacted by the NCAA on three separate occasions to gather information regarding the schools, but both were unresponsive. Due to the lack of information provided, the core courses, grades and graduation from American Academy High School and Florida Preparatory Academy may not be used in the NCAA initial eligibility process.

The review of nontraditional high schools in the initial eligibility process is an ongoing effort and over 200 schools have been part of the review process to date. If additional information from these four schools is received a school may be reconsidered. The NCAA has established a national high school review committee, which includes members from the higher education and secondary school communities, to consider appeals from high schools.

In order for a student that is currently enrolled in one of these four schools for the 2006-07 academic year to be considered in the initial eligibility process they must have their individual academic record reviewed. A determination will be made regarding their NCAA initial eligibility status based on this review of their individual academic record.

The NCAA sets minimum academic standards that prospective student-athletes must complete in high school to be eligible to compete in collegiate sports, but those students must ultimately meet the admissions standards at the individual college or university they choose to attend.

“It is important to note that ensuring prospective student-athletes are academically prepared before college admission is a shared responsibility,” said Kevin Lennon, NCAA vice president for membership services. “Colleges and universities need to continue to make admissions decisions based on the academic demands of their respective institutions. The issues in nontraditional high schools don’t just affect college athletics, but also secondary and postsecondary education.”

The high school review process was created after presidents from several NCAA member institutions raised concerns about the legitimacy of high school academic credentials presented by some incoming student-athletes. Those concerns centered on student-athletes establishing initial eligibility by using academic credentials through nontraditional schools and courses. In response, presidents in Divisions I and II adopted legislation to provide for the review of high schools and individual prospective student-athletes records in the initial eligibility process.

High schools selected to be reviewed by the NCAA are identified based on perceived academic irregularities in information received by the NCAA. Examples of potential irregularities include transcript discrepancies, a disproportionate number of core courses taken in a single academic year, sequential courses taken in the same term, irregularities in grade-scale changes or weight-grade changes, questionable policy issues including pass/fail policies, transcription of college courses, nontraditional course policies, among other factors. During the review process, the NCAA national office staff will review a high school’s curriculum and instruction, methods of assessment, course quality, length of instruction, quality control and integrity, instructors, enrollment and other areas.