Skipping class and arriving late are frowned upon at WCHS. Yet for most students, the consequence rarely goes beyond a pink lunch detention slip. For student-athletes, however, attendance rules are a completely different ball game. Missing class or being tardy can cost them practice and even bench them entirely on game days
MCPS has implemented numerous rules to ensure that student-athletes prioritize their studies just as much as their athletic careers. Athletes are required to have above a 2.0 GPA for the most recent marking period, carrying over from the year prior. Meaning, if the sport is in the fall, the academic eligibility is determined by the athlete’s fourth-quarter grade from the previous school year.
“You cannot put the student in a student-athlete without being committed to your academics,” WCHS senior and boys’ varsity soccer player Aaron Kerchner said. “The policy is meant to keep us accountable. It pushes athletes to stay on top of their classes, even if they normally would not make schoolwork a priority.”
This level of academic pressure adds another layer to what it means to be a student-athlete. The rules do not simply encourage good habits, but create real consequences that athletes feel immediately, especially when a single tardy can take them out of a game. There is a clear process in place for tracking attendance and making sure everything is accurate before any decisions are made about an athlete’s eligibility, which is at the coach’s discretion.
“I get an automated attendance report from Synergy for all the varsity soccer players at approximately 2 p.m. each day,” WCHS girls’ varsity soccer coach Dr. Haroot Hakopian said. “I am strict with the enforcement of the policy, but within reason. There have been numerous instances where the attendance report has been incorrect, a teacher has accidentally marked a player absent when they were in class or taken attendance when the player had gone to the restroom. I always leave room for an explanation.”
All of this behind-the-scenes monitoring goes to show just how connected academics and athletics really are. While coaches might be more relaxed about practice attendance, that flexibility disappears on game days, when being on time and in class becomes a non-negotiable part of earning the chance to play.
“I have seen athletes get in trouble with their coaches and teachers and not be allowed to play due to being late to classes,” Kerchner said. “I remember earlier this school year, my coach came to school to make sure that the whole team was getting to class on time before a big rivalry game.”
What happens in the classroom can directly affect what happens on the field. High school policies around punctuality and academic performance mirror the expectations students will face, particularly in college athletics, where meeting academic standards is a requirement, not an option. Building these habits early is key to long-term success.
“I say this at our parent meeting every year: if a student is struggling with any subject, I guarantee that there is someone on the team who can help or tutor them in that subject,” Hakopian said. “I understand that it is hard to admit that you are struggling academically, but it is really important to seek help early and turn to your teammates for support.”
According to @Dawgssports on Instagram, over 72 percent of students in the 2023 to 2024 school year participated in a sport as of the third marking period. With such a high percentage of student-athletes, this policy not only helps to keep student-athletes on track but also elevates the standard of WCHS students, cultivating an environment with well-rounded and motivated students.
“There is a quote I love (I wish I could remember where I got it from) which says, ‘Self-imposed discipline is the greatest freedom,’” Hakopian said. “As an adult, there is rarely someone telling me what to do. I have to discipline myself to structure my day and tasks. Attendance and grading policies help build that type of discipline in a supportive environment.”
