INDIANAPOLIS --- As part of its continuing effort to ensure the integrity of academic credentials used in the NCAA initial eligibility process, the NCAA Eligibility Center will not accept core courses, grades and graduation from North Carolina Tech Preparatory Christian Academy, Charlotte, N.C.

The preparatory school recently notified the eligibility center staff it had begun using the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) program as its primary means of delivering education.  NCAA membership has previously determined high schools using the ACE curriculum as their primary means of delivering education must obtain model or quality status from ACE before their grades can be used to determine initial eligibility. The eligibility center has received notice from administrators at ACE stating North Carolina Tech Preparatory Christian Academy has failed to obtain either status.

Students currently enrolled in North Carolina Tech Preparatory Christian Academy must have their individual academic records reviewed to be considered in the initial eligibility process. A determination will be made regarding their NCAA initial eligibility based upon this review.

The NCAA sets minimum academic standards prospective student-athletes must complete in high school to be eligible to compete in Division I and II collegiate sports.  Ultimately, students must meet the unique admissions standards at the individual college or university they choose to attend.

The review of high schools in the initial eligibility process is an ongoing effort and more than 400 schools have been part of the review process to date. If additional information from North Carolina Tech Preparatory Christian Academy is received, the NCAA may reconsider the school’s status.

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 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.

The review process is collaborative as secondary educators  share the NCAA’s concerns regarding the legitimacy of high school academic credentials being used during the student-athlete eligibility process.

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