Home School Services

Homeschool Students Participate in UIL Athletics

In 2025, Texas lawmakers gave homeschool students a new opportunity: the chance to try out for and compete in UIL athletics through their local public school. Life School is glad to welcome homeschool families into our athletic programs if they meet state and school requirements.

The following is a summary. Please review the full policy for deeper understanding.

Requirements

• Homeschool students may try out for any UIL athletic program offered at their zoned campus under the same eligibility standards, tryout process, and roster limits that apply to enrolled students.
  • Note: a roster spot is not guaranteed.
• If the public school that a homeschool student is zoned to attend has declined to allow non-enrolled students the opportunity to participate in UIL activities, students may participate at Life School if Life School is the next closest school based on geographic proximity to the student’s residential address.
• A student who was enrolled in public school earlier in that same school year is not eligible to participate in UIL for the remainder of that year.
• Standard UIL transfer waiting periods apply.
• Students must meet UIL eligibility requirements and comply with all UIL rules regarding:
  • Age/credit requirements
  • Amateur status
  • Outside competition
  • Academic eligibility
• Students must meet academic eligibility:
  • Satisfy all applicable UIL academic eligibility standards (“No Pass, No Play”)
  • Provide academic progress documentation according to Life School eligibility timelines
  • Submit grade reports during each grading cycle, including 3-week progress checks
• Students must meet behavioral eligibility:
  • Life School may deny a homeschool student’s participation in a UIL activity sponsored by Life School if the student has:
    • Engaged in conduct outlined in Texas Education Code § 37.006 related to placement in a disciplinary alternative education program or a juvenile justice alternative education program;
    • Engaged in conduct outlined in Texas Education Code § 37.007 related to expulsion; or
    • Has been convicted of a criminal offense or has a juvenile court adjudication.

Documentation

Prior to participation, homeschool student-athletes must submit:

• Completed UIL participation forms
• Physical examination and medical clearance
• Parent/guardian acknowledgment forms
• Previous Athletic Participation Form (PAPF), if applicable
• All documents required to be filled out in Rank One
• Any additional paperwork required by Life School

Life School reserves the right to request academic and behavioral records for the three years prior to the student’s request to participate in a Life School UIL activity.

Participation Expectations

To maintain the quality of Life School's athletic programs, homeschool participants are expected to participate with the team.

• Athletic Period Attendance — Students must attend the scheduled daily athletic period. Attendance is mandatory and will be recorded daily.
• Practice and Team Participation — Students must attend all practices, meetings, games, and team activities.
• Off-season activities (open gyms, fields, weight room) are voluntary per UIL rules.

Fees

• Homeschool student-athletes pay the same $75 Life School athletic participation fee as enrolled students.

Getting Started

1. Confirm that your student's residential address falls within the attendance zone of the Life School campus offering the sport you're interested in.
2. Contact that campus's Athletic Director to talk through the sport, tryout dates, and next steps.
3. Complete the required documentation, including UIL participation forms, a physical exam and medical clearance, a parent/guardian acknowledgment form, and a Previous Athletic Participation Form (PAPF) if your student has competed for another school before.
4. Provide documentation of a qualifying first six-week test score (or a still-valid score from the prior year).
5. Pay the $75 athletic participation fee.
6. Attend tryouts alongside enrolled students.
7. Review and sign the acknowledgment for the Life School Student-Athlete Handbook, confirming your family's understanding of UIL, district, and program expectations.

Contact us to evaluate eligibility.