UIL & Athletics FAQs
UIL & Athletics Frequently Asked Questions
Can my child play varsity if we do not live in the school's attendance zone?
Per the UIL, to be varsity eligible, a student must live in the attendance zone of which the campus is located. If a student does not live in the attendance zone of the campus he or she has enrolled in, then the student athlete must sit out for one year of “varsity” athletics. The student athlete can still play on sub varsity teams during this one year of ineligibility.
What if my child enrolls into an Academy, Program of Study or CTE program at a campus that we do not live in that attendance zone but we do live in the CFBISD school district, will he or she be eligible to participate at the varsity level?
CFBISD offers different Academy, Programs of Study and CTE programs at all four high schools. The student athlete would be eligible to participate at the varsity level IF this is the “first opportunity” to participate at the campus. First opportunity means that the student athlete is enrolling as a freshman into an Academy or CTE program offered at the campus that he or she is enrolling in as an incoming 9th grader and must have a letter of acceptance to be granted first opportunity to participate at the varsity level. If the student decides to enter into an Academy program or CTE program or Program of Study after their freshman year; then the student loses one year of varsity eligibility.
What if my child enrolls into an Academy, Program of Study or CTE program as a sophomore, junior or senior and this causes my child to switch CFBISD schools; would my child be able to play varsity sports?
No, unfortunately, the student athlete established varsity eligibility upon enrolling in their home campus as a freshman, therefore loses one year of varsity eligibility. The student athlete may still play on the sub varsity teams.
What if my child enrolls into an Academy, Program of Study or CTE program, and does not like it and wants to return to his or her home attendance zone high school. Is he or she eligible back at their home campus?
No, the student athlete would be ineligible to play varsity sports for one year from date of enrollment back into the home campus as the student athlete was granted varsity eligibility for “first opportunity” at the previous school. He or she may play on the sub varsity teams for that one year of ineligibility.
What if my child lives in the CFBISD extended zone which is located outside of the school district, can my child play sports in high school?
Yes, however, the student athlete would only be eligible for sub varsity sport teams due to living in another school district’s attendance zone. Per UIL, the student athlete loses one year of varsity eligibility but can play on a sub varsity team during this one year of ineligibility.
If my child transfers from one CFBISD high school to another CFBISD high school, is her or she eligible for varsity athletics?
No, the student athlete loses one year of varsity eligibility.
My child is homeschooled and does not attend CFBISD schools but lives in CFBISD or surrounding cities of Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD. Can my child come and play sports for any school in CFBISD?
No. The CFBISD school board voted to not allow “homeschooled” students to play for CFBISD. The UIL gave school districts the choice to allow or not allow by school board vote. CFBISD does not allow homeschooled students to participate in our athletic programs. If the homeschooled student chooses to enroll in CFBISD as a full time student; then the student is eligible to participate in sports.
Is CFBISD a “Freedom of Choice” or “Magnet School”?
No. However, CFBISD allows transfers within the school district and from the extended zones but that does not make a student athlete eligible to participate on the varsity level for one calendar year.
Can my child go to school part time and play sports?
No, all student athletes must be full time students, enrolled in CFBISD schools to participate in sports. This is a UIL requirement to be eligible to participate in UIL sanctioned athletics.
What Academy or CTE programs are approved CFBISD programs for “first opportunity”?
https://www.cfbisd.edu/departments/career-and-technical-education-cte
https://tea.texas.gov/academics/college-career-and-military-prep/career-and-technical-education/cte-programs-of-study
https://tea.texas.gov/academics/college-career-and-military-prep/career-and-technical-education/industry-based-certifications
If you have any additional questions about UIL regulations, please contact Renee Putter, Director of Athletics at the athletics department by email
putterr@cfbisd.edu or 972-968-5670.