I'm hoping some of you can provide some advice... My daughter is a junior lacrosse player at a public high school in Orlando. Her freshman year she started for the Dr. Phillips Varsity Team, her sophomore year we were rezoned for a new high school. During this season the team fielded a lacrosse team, but as a new program they took their lumps, lost most games, but surprisingly they also won 3 or 4 games. This year is her junior year and the night before tryouts, the coach announced he was backing out of the position. After three weeks of searching, the school apparently found a new coach, but now there are not enough players to field a team. I would describe my daughter as a good player, but not dominant. She plays for a local club team and has had some interest from colleges, but I'm not sure she is a D1 prospect. I have read that students can transfer schools in Florida, as long as the accepting school isn't at capacity, but so far the school district hasn't been helpful. The district says she can play on the boys team (my daughter is 5'1 and 105 lbs). My daughter is open to try, but I'm not convinced this is a great idea. Boys lacrosse is a way different sport with more contact than girls and it may be a recipe for getting hurt. Does anyone know of a provision to play for another team if your school does not offer a particular sport? My daughter has coach at a neighboring school that would love to have her, but admin doesn't seem interested in helping. Anyone have suggestions?
OP I don’t have much feedback here but I wanted to chime in and say you should bump this thread tomorrow morning (or delete now and repost in the AM). I imagine your timing will be off here and this may get lost in the thread glut. Hell, I’ll bump it tomorrow if it’s still here. Hopefully mods understand
One option is to establish a residence in the preferred school zone. Dont know if that is financially feasible
https://www.bradenton.com/sports/article159164604.html Highlights: "The bill allows student-athletes to play sports at any school, regardless of where they’re zoned." "The new school can’t be at capacity. Parents or students have to provide their transportation to and from the school. Students seeking to transfer can’t be facing expulsion or be under suspension. Athletes that played a sport at one school can’t participate in the same sport at another school during the same school year, unless they’re a child of an active military personnel member that moved for work; foster care placement moved them; their parents died or divorced; a change in custody necessitated the move; or authorized for good cause in district or charter school policy,” Hope this helps, RLTW
It's been my understanding that school choice is often available, and you don't really have to provide a reason for the transfer, as long as you provided your own transportation. Here is some info on School Choice at the state and county level. The only catch may be athletics, I'm not sure if you can play sports outside of your assigned school, I seem to recall they didn't want schools "recruiting", something to look into. Your assigned school not having a team to field may be a way around that, if it is a rule. (looks like the athletics exception was removed, based on the post above) School Choice School Choice
Home School (FLVS) and play sports for your school of choice. I understand that this is what Tebow did.
I believe you would have to transfer to another school, home school, or go private. I don't think you can stay enrolled in your current school and just go play for another school because your school doesn't field a sport. Your best bet is private like Lake Highland if you can afford it. This being her junior year schools can offer Sept. 1. Most D1 schools have already filled out their classes by now so you should have an idea of the schools interested in her. Don't bother with the boy's lax team and don't make a change if she likes the school she is in because it won't make a difference in her recruiting. My daughter plays D1 and I've been through all the lax recruiting...if you have any other questions let me know.
It seems your best bet would be to enlist the aid of this coach who would love to have her. Most coaches know exactly who to speak with in their administration for different things and they also know the residency/qualification rules thoroughly.
Another consideration, does the new school have a specialty program of any kind? The transfer rules now are pretty losey, goosey as long as you can provide transportation. It's done ALL THE TIME in Brevard County.
I would go to your district school choice office. They will be able to answer questions and tell you which schools, if any, are open enrollment. You may want to apply for a special program at a school to ensure you have access. Here's the OCPS School Choice Website: https://www.ocps.net/departments/school_choice I just did a quick glance and it looks like you have until Feb 15 to apply.
here are a couple of schools that are not terribly far from where you live- one private and one public Girls' Lacrosse Windermere High School (FL) Girls Varsity Lacrosse
Funny you should post this, as this is the coach who would be happy to have her as she was my daughter’s club coach.
Make sure to get your daughters input. She may prefer to stay where she is with her friends transferring high schools near her senior year may be traumatic. You know your daughter better than I do though.
Here's some advice. If we have learned one thing, make sure you have any NIL deal in writing and the check has cleared before starting school. Too soon???
The Lacrosse coach at another school has to want your child to play for their team. They will then make the transfer process easy for you if they want your kid. Might be too late in Spring session for a coach to bump existing kids on team for late transfer in unless your daughter is an all league talent. May want to send your daughter to one of Long Island lacrosse camps this summer. Lot of top national HS programs like St. Anthony’s on LI have their coaches run camps each summer. My brother played lacrosse in college and now coaches and I went basketball route. Seminoleslayer likely has best advise for you. Good luck!
