INDIANAPOLIS --- The NCAA High School Review Committee has issued a decision to uphold the not cleared status for Charis Prep school in Wilson, N.C.
Charis Prep appealed the NCAA Eligibility Center staff’s decision in September 2008 that the school was “not cleared”, meaning core courses, grades and/or graduation would not be accepted when determining prospective student-athletes’ initial eligibility to compete in intercollegiate athletics. This original decision was upheld by the NCAA High School Review Committee after an appeal was held on Feb. 23.
During the spring and summer of 2008, the NCAA Eligibility Center staff reviewed Charis Prep’s curriculum, class schedules, teacher schedules quality control practices and enrollment figures. The review also included an in-person site visit.
Specifically, the review identified several areas of concern, including quality control and curriculum.
The school was notified of these and other concerns and given an opportunity to respond to the specific issues. The written appeal, supplemental material and the arguments made by Charis Prep during the appeal failed to sufficiently address the irregularities and deficiencies of Charis Prep identified by the NCAA Eligibility Center staff review.
Students currently enrolled for the 2008-09 academic year may have their individual academic records reviewed through the initial-eligibility process. A determination will be made regarding their NCAA initial eligibility status based on this review.
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. 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.
