Reclassification
As a Post-Graduate

What is Reclassification? Reclassification refers to the process of a student graduating on a date that differs from the typical four-year high school timeline. While some students might reclass to graduate earlier than their classmates, student-athletes most often choose to repeat a year in high school to gain an athletic or academic advantage.

With all the new NCAA changes in eligibility, attending a post-graduate program is an excellent option for unrecruited seniors much like Reclassifying. Yes, Junior College is an option, and you won't lose any eligibility, but you will be using a large portion of your student aid, not counting the student you need to attend Junior College.

Reclassification at a PG can be beneficial for several reasons, including Academic advantage: Students may recover a limited amount of grades to improve their GPA. Athletic advantage: Student-athletes may repeat a year to gain an athletic advantage. College admissions: Students may repeat a grade to position themselves better for the college admissions process.

Reclassification is more common in private schools, where student-athletes can play five varsity seasons or have 10 semesters of eligibility. In Virginia's public high school system, student-athletes are limited to four varsity seasons or eight semesters of eligibility. Reclassification among student-athletes has become very popular in the last couple of years. And with the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of student-athletes choosing to reclassify has skyrocketed.

More and more students are deciding to reclass to continue developing academically and athletically before enrolling in college, but it’s important to pay attention to a few key things to ensure you are maintaining your NCAA eligibility. Don’t be one of the many reclassified students, who find out too late that they are short the required credits and can’t play NCAA DI sports.

Graduating after your original 4-year graduation date: Students who reclassify and take a 5th or 6th year, at Virginia A&M Prep Academy have more time to be evaluated by the College at each level. Students at Virginia A&M Prep can replace up to 4 courses taken in high school (Course Recovery).

The course(s) cannot replace course(s) that were locked in by the NCAA 10/7 Rule (also known as the “10/7 Lock”) but can go towards achieving credit requirements and raising your GPA by replacing the remaining 6 NCAA-approved units to meet requirements. Check your Honest Game report to understand which of your courses would have been locked by the 10/7 rule.

Purpose: Note Reclassing is often done to gain an extra year of athletic or academic development before entering college, potentially improving their chances of success in college sports or academics. How it works: A student who reclassifies effectively repeats a year of high school, allowing them to mature further, gain more experience, and potentially improve their skills or academic record before graduating and entering college. Athletic Advantages: For student-athletes, reclassing can provide an extra year of high school eligibility, allowing them to play at a higher level or gain more experience before committing to college. Academic Advantages: Reclassing can also give students an extra year to improve their academic standing, potentially boosting their GPA and making them more competitive for college admissions. Other Reasons Some students who are not athletes may reclass for academic reasons or to better prepare for college Not Universal Not all high schools or athletic conferences allow reclassification, and there may be specific rules or requirements that students must meet to be eligible.