Student-Athlete Success (SAS) 3-Tier Programming

Student-Athlete Success (SAS) fosters long-term academic and athletic development in line with Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club Academic and Eligibility Requirements.

Student-Athlete Success offers three areas for academic and athletic growth:

• Student-Athlete Development
  • A comprehensive program encompassing executive function skills, standardized test preparation, college planning and applications, and educational planning for all grades. The SAS Director is available to attend all meetings relevant to academic development to support student-athlete academic growth
  • Assessments: JHSC offers a suite of educational assessments for student-athletes to get a better understand of cognitive, academic, and behavioral strengths and weaknesses
• Speaker Series
  • Regular events for parents and student-athletes
  • Training for coaches and staff to improve outcomes across the Club
• Student-Athlete Wellness
  • Injury protocol, concussion protocol, and post-injury/concussion reintegration

Student-Athlete Eligibility

All student-athletes in grades 6-12 must maintain a GPA of 2.5 and no "D" or "F" grades to participate in Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club programming. 

For full details and complete expectations, see the JHSC Academic Policy in the Parent–Athlete Handbook. 

The SAS Director maintains regular communications with all School Partners and conducts regular official grade checks to determine eligibility throughout the season.

JHSC Core Values 

Student-Athlete Eligibility and Participation

JHSC works closely with local partner schools to ensure students have schedules that accommodate and support academic, athletic, and personal growth. 

In order to participate in JHSC programs, the Club requires that student-athletes in grades 6-12 maintain a GPA of 2.5 and no “D”s or “F”s. 

For full details and complete expectations, see the JHSC Academic Policy in the Parent-Athlete Handbook. 

The SAS Director maintains regular communication with school partners regarding student-athlete academic standing. Official grade checks to determine eligibility throughout the season occur depending on the school partners. Those dates are discussed in the fall Team Meetings. 

School Partnerships

Teton County School District #1

JACKSON HOLE HIGH SCHOOL (JHHS)

Jackson Hole High School (JHHS) and JHSC partner to develop academic scheduling that maximizes student time in the classroom and on snow.

The Early-Release Program carefully considers the needs of student-athletes by grade and sport and allows for early release according to a student-athlete's program as long as the student remains in good academic standing. All early-release questions should be directed to the JHSC SAS Director, who will coordinate requests and communicate Club training times and early-release needs to JHHS. 

In order to be eligible for Early Release, JHHS students and parents must sign and complete both the following Early-Release Contract and Authorization for Records Release. Return completed forms to JHSC SAS Director, either in paper or electronic form, both no later than September 12 (Alpine, Backcountry, Freeride & Nordic ). Students will NOT be eligible for early release until the forms are submitted:

JHHS Early-Release Contract

Authorization for Records Release

JACKSON HOLE MIDDLE SCHOOL (JHMS)

At JHMS, students are eligible for early release according to program requirements, and the JHSC Student-Athlete Success Director coordinates scheduling and early release for all JHMS student-athletes with the JHMS Principal and Registrar. Student-athletes are NOT eligible for early release for practices before the agreed-upon times. 

This document lists early-release times by program for the 24/25 season and outlines the expectations of all JHMS-JHSC student-athletes. 

 

Jackson Hole Community School

The Jackson Hole Community School is committed to helping student-athletes benefit from an exceptional academic experience while simultaneously pursuing their athletic goals at the highest level. In order to do so, they continue a tradition of consistent communication with JHSC to foster an understanding of each student-athlete's unique needs and goals. They offer JHSC athletes a number of scheduling and support accommodations, including 

• Early-morning CORE classes to ensure that students can attend all of their core classes every day
• Guaranteed free periods for the last two periods of the day with the possibility of even greater flexibility throughout the day
• Acceptance of credits from online institutions, should students choose to take an online course
• Personal support and flexibility for each student-athlete to develop a strong academic schedule that works well with his/her athletic commitments
• A school administration that is supportive of students balancing high-level ski racing and rich, challenging academics

For prospective students, please discuss your student-athlete's scheduling needs with Donna Tully, School Registrar, in the Spring. The Club works closely with JHCS to review individual schedules and ensure that both the Club and School can support student-athlete needs.

 

Teton Science Schools 

The Club and the administration of the Teton Science Schools work with individual families and students to create the best possible academic and training schedule for student success. Early release for training is an option for students in grades 6-8, dependent on student class schedules. Students use study halls scheduled early in the school day, email, and Google applications to communicate with teachers about class material missed for race and competition travel. For more details on scheduling options, please contact your Division Head.

 

Jackson Hole Classical Academy

Jackson Hole Classical Academy is committed to helping our student-athletes excel in each area of their academics and athletics. JHCA encourages students to participate in our community through athletic competition and facilitates this in the following ways:

• High school students take core classes before lunch.
• High school students take elective courses after 1:45 PM.
• High school students are allowed flexibility in their afternoon schedule by taking approved online or independent study elective courses.
• Teachers are committed to helping students balance high academic and training loads.
• Student-athletes are able to create an individual academic and athletic plan by proactively communicating with the Dean of Students and the Athletic Coordinator.

The Classical Academy Athletic Director is in communication with JH Ski & Snowboard Club staff regarding individual students who participate in the club. Please contact Athletic Director Andrew Vitale at avitale@jhclassical.org for more information.

 

Radical Minds Academy

Radical Minds Academy is a student co-working community for online and homeschool learners. We design and facilitate customized education plans for families seeking flexibility, precision, and quality in their child’s education.

Concussion Policy 

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Concussions can also occur from a fall or a blow to the body that causes the head and brain to move quickly back and forth. Doctors may describe a concussion as a “mild” brain injury because concussions are usually not life-threatening. Even so, their effects can be serious.

JHSC requires all student-athletes U14 and older (YOB 2012 and earlier)—and strongly recommends for all athletes—to participate in an approved pre-concussion baseline assessment prior to on-snow training each season. Most test systems' baseline results are good for one year, so while most athletes test in the Fall, test results from Spring and Summer for those athletes in year-round programs suffice for the Winter season.

Fall 2025: Baseline Concussion Testing

If your athlete has already completed a baseline test through TCSD or elsewhere, please enter that information into this form no later than Monday, October 3. Your child does NOT need to test again with the Club.

If your athlete has not taken a test, JHSC will provide them with an ImPACT at-home baseline test code in mid-September:

The test is taken entirely online (on a desktop or laptop computer, or a tablet) and takes 20-25 minutes. Program Directors, coaches, and the SAS Director will have access to these results.

To begin the test:

-- Visit impacttestonline.com/htmllauncher/  

(Please note that you must disable popup blockers for the test to launch)

-- Enter the JHSC customer code to begin a test: 6THZM1ZJCU

-- When you complete a test, the results are automatically uploaded into JHSC’s admin account. You may save a copy for yourself (recommended) but do not need to share anything with JHSC.

If you have any questions about JHSC Concussion Policy or baseline test requirements (or if you are an athlete born after 2012 and would like to receive a test code to take the ImPACT Baseline Test), or desire further information about Concussion information and resources, please contact the JHSC Student-Athlete Success Director.

RETURN TO SPORT

After a suspected or actual concussion, student-athletes must either have a health care practitioner fill out the JHSC Return to Sport form OR have a physician’s note that contains the following information: Name of student-athlete, Date of exam, Name of health care practitioner, Clinic name, Health care practitioner contact information, and a sentence that states the “athlete is cleared to participate in all sports with no restrictions”. The form must be signed and dated by the health care practitioner. 

RESOURCES

If injured: 

JHSC Injury Procedures for parents (see above for Return to Sport Form)

24-25 Watershed Concussion Health Care Provider List

Concussion 101 (from ImPACT): An education guide to understanding Concussion Symptoms, Signs, Treatment, and Rehab

Youth Concussion Information (from Watershed Jackson): Signs, Symptoms, and Information about Concussions

General information: 

JHSC Concussion Policy

Return to Activity Strategy (from ImPACT): A flowchart representing the protocol for progression from injury/concussion to return to participation

Parent & Athlete Education Series 

Fall 2025

• August:  Executive Function Workshops (4 Sessions)
  • ​Get ready for an amazing school year by joining SAS Director Laura Paul for three engaging sessions: Session 1 - Creating Your System / Session 2 - Planning, Calendars, & Establishing Routines / Session 3 - Utilizing Resources and Communicating with Teachers. Learning from each other is the best, so these sessions will be interactive! Be ready to jump out of your seat and discuss what you are doing within these topics! 
• October: How to Ski in College with Jesse McTigue
  • ​Jesse is joining JHSC again for an update on College Pathways for Skiing, lessons learned in the last year, and how to make this pathway a reality for you! Learn more about the unique NCAA age loophole, point ranges for college skiers, and so much more. Remember to view Jesse's first presentation from Fall 2023!
  • Jesse James McTigue is an independent college counselor and freelance writer based in Telluride, CO. She grew up ski racing, attended Burke Mountain Academy, and then captained the Dartmouth NCAA women's alpine team. She cut her teeth as an educator teaching in ski academies and independent schools in CO, VT, and CA before earning her master's in school leadership from the University of Pennsylvania and working as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction and College Counseling at the Telluride Mountain School. After eighteen years of working in schools, she began an independent college counseling practice. She loves working with all students but has a special place for competitive skiers as she was one and is the mother of two. She recently published two articles in Ski Racing Media about college skiing: So, You Want to Ski in the NCAA? and A Guide to USCSA Skiing: Keeping Athletes in the Game. 

College Information 

Looking Ahead to College

College Counseling and Support

The JHSC Student-Athlete Support Program has the ability to work closely with the Program Directors and coaches to offer guidance for student-athletes as they make their post-high school plans. In the Summer and Fall of the senior year, we meet with student-athletes to learn about their goals and explore colleges and sports programs that fit their athletic and academic goals, as well as campus life and geographical preferences.

Opportunities to Ski and Snowboard in College

• The Skiing Pathways After High School chart provides an overview of the coaching and training, costs, age and typical USSA point requirements, and scope of alpine competition programs.
• The following lists include the contact information and point averages for USCSA and NCAA Division I programs. 
• For more information on the college eligibility process, see the NCAA Flowchart for Initial Eligibility to view credit and course requirements or visit the NCAA website (ncaa.org) to learn more about the specific Division I, II, and III academic requirements.  
• The list of USCSA Colleges and Programs includes contact information for freeski and snowboard programs. 

USCSA

As part of the USCSA National Championships, hosted by JHSC and Snow King Mountain Resort in March 2019, USCSA Executive Director Alec Tandara-Kuhns and a panel of member coaches and athletes hosted an information night for interested JHSC families and athletes. The overarching theme of the evening was that within the organization's 170+ member schools, there is a place for any athlete who wants to compete in snow sports in college. From funded, coached, varsity teams to student-led Clubs, and with teams that train 4-5 days/week and those that exclusively attend weekend competitions, the USCSA's 8-week season includes participation from a range of athletes across the United States. President Andrew Rangan emphasized the importance of team scoring in USCSA and the experience of community that develops for member athletes. For more information, please visit uscsa.org.

More Resources

The Difference in College Division Levels

College Skiing Scholarships

Collegiate Skiing-- US Ski & Snowboard

Collegiate Skiing and US Alpine Development System

Collegiate Forum: 2019 US Ski and Snowboard Congress

Student-Athlete Academic Development 

STUDENT-ATHLETE ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT

Learning Collaborative (LC) for Online Student-Athletes

• For high school aged student-athletes in full-time online programming
• Monitored on-site, individual online learning in a group setting
• Guidance on time management, executive functioning, note-taking, study and exam preparation, and exam proctoring

Education Planning

• Course selection and planning from elementary to high school
• Student-Athlete Learning Profiles
  • Resources on learning differences
  • Online screening for dyslexia (screener only not diagnostic)
  • Optimizing learning
• College planning
  • College choice / athletics
  • Other opportunities: career, internship, apprenticeships
• NCAA Eligibility
  • Registration before freshman year
  • Online NCAA initial eligibility certification
  • D1 & D2 course planning
• College Applications
  • Essay planning and editing
  • Common app 
  • Options discussions
• PG Pathways
  • Athletic Training
  • Academics
  • Internships
  • College preparation
  • Service

Academic Development

• Standardized test preparation
  • Practice tests
  • Results analysis
  • Study plans

Mental Health Resources 

For the first time in 2023, Jackson Hole Ski and Snowboard hosted several mental health organizations throughout the week of the Sean Nurse Memorial race series to share information on mental health and suicide prevention. 

Participating organizations include:

• Community Prevention Coalition of Teton County
• Jackson Hole High School/Summit Innovations School Nurse - Beth Shidner
• Mental Health and Recovery Services
• Mental Wellness Collaborative
• Teton County Health Department
• Teton Youth and Family Services

Suicide Prevention Hotlines:

• Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741 for free 24/7 support via text for those in crisis.
• Teen Line: Call 310-855-4673, or text “TEEN” to 839863 for crisis help for teenagers.
• The Trevor Program: Call 1-866-488-7386 for suicide and crisis prevention services for LGBTQ+ youth.
• 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988, or chat 988lifeline.org