Modesto City Schools reports record athletic participation, credits probation program and Measure L investments

Modesto City Schools trustees heard a data‑rich presentation on Nov. 17 showing growth in high‑school athletic participation, new facilities funded by Measure L, and an athletic probation process that district leaders say has helped struggling students remain connected to teams while improving academic performance.

"Last year, we had over 4,200 students participate in co‑curricular athletics," Nathan Schar, senior director of school leadership, told the board. Schar said that figure represents unique students (some play multiple sports) and highlighted rising female participation following the addition of flag football and girls’ wrestling at all sites.

Schar described the district’s athletic probation process — aligned with the CIF San Joaquin Section bylaws — that allows students with a GPA of 1.5 or higher and no more than two F’s to file an appeal to remain eligible under monitored conditions, including weekly grade checks. He reported that nearly all students who used the program improved and remained eligible in the following quarter.

Trustees pressed for more cross‑tabs linking probation participation to the GPA gains at specific schools and discussed implementing a pregame crowd‑conduct statement to encourage respectful behavior at events. Student board representative Juliana Garcia and trustees praised coaches and athletic staff for supporting both academic and extracurricular success.

The board received the report; no vote or policy change occurred at the meeting.