Athletic Placement Process (APP)

 

Orchard Park Athletic Parents,

Thank you for your interest in the Athletic Placement Process (APP). The APP registration process for the Fall 2026 season is now closed.

If you have any questions, please contact the Orchard Park Athletic Office at (716) 209-6241.

Thank you,

Dave

 

 

7th and 8th Grade Athletes Who Are Looking to Play a High School-Level Sport 

The link to complete the APP Parent Permission form is listed below.

APP Parent Permission Form

Related APP information can be found at the bottom of the page.

The purpose of this statewide Advanced Placement Process fitness testing program is to determine the physical fitness of a 7th or 8th grade athlete when compared to older athletes who will participate at the high school level. This fitness test, along with a special physical examination completed by the school medical director, will determine whether the appropriate physical development has evolved that equates to the similar levels of high school athletes.  Passage of all required parts must occur in order to be eligible for a tryout and will help ensure the safety of their participation. 

A teacher will conduct Advanced Placement Physical Fitness tests at designated times in August for Fall season sports, in October/November for Winter season sports, and in February for Spring season sports.  Athletes will meet at the high school field house with lightweight gym clothes and good running shoes during the dates in August and at the Middle School gym in October and February.

Each athlete will be asked to complete anywhere from four (4) to five (5) parts of the test.  Tests include curl-ups, a shuttle run, sit-and-reach (flexibility), a 1-mile distance run (or 500 yard swim), and pull-ups.  Athletes may be given a second chance at parts of the test if they are close to achieving the needed score.  Check the Athletic Website for the seasonal timeline.  

Parents are cautioned that even though an athlete may be physically ready, it does not mean that he/she may be emotionally or socially ready to handle the normal stress of competition, or have the ability to socially mix with older athletes.  Even though our coaches set the stage for the assimilation of the younger athletes into the team structure, these athletes must be comfortable within this environment.  Should this not be a natural adjustment, it is recommended that the athlete remain at the district’s modified level or just wait until high school.  This decision must be made during the first few days (depending upon the sport) of upper-level practice as required by state modified rules.

 

Students will not be tested without a completed Athletic Placement Process Parent Permission form. This process begins with the Parent Permission form being completed by clicking on the link at the top of this page.  Process steps must be completed in order.

NOTE: Tryouts for varsity golf, bowling, and rifle do not require the fitness test. Candidates must complete the Parent Permission form. Candidates must score in the top 8 competitive scores during tryouts to make the team.

PROCESS:

1. Complete the APP Parent Permission form no later than 7/23/26.
2. Participate in and pass the APP Physical Fitness testing on the dates listed below (this step is not required for bowling, golf, or rifle).
3. Complete the online athletic registration, and if needed, submit an updated health appraisal form completed by a private physician or the school medical director to the appropriate school nurse. 

Once all steps are completed, 7th and 8th-grade students are eligible to try out for the desired high school-level team. 

Missing due dates will affect an athlete's eligibility for tryouts

NOTE: A student who has undergone the APP does not need the procedure repeated if he/she achieved the required scores for fitness, maturity, and comparable physical size for the desired sport and level, regardless of the school year in which the testing was completed. If a student has undergone the APP evaluation procedure and participated in the 7th grade, the process would not have to be repeated in the 8th grade, provided they remain at the same level of athletic competition in the same sport. 

There will be 2 days of fitness testing offered.  Tests will take between one and two hours to complete, depending on the number of athletes being tested.  Please wear comfortable clothes and sneakers and bring a water bottle.

Fall 2026 APP Dates

**VALID FALL PHYSICALS MUST BE DATED AUGUST 1, 2025 OR AFTER**

• Thursday, 7/23/26 – APP Parent Permission forms are due.  
• Thursday, 7/30/26 – Sports Physicals from 9:30 AM -12:00 PM in the High School Health Office.  You must have submitted the APP Parent Permission form by 7/23/26.
• Tuesday, 8/4/26 – APP Physical Fitness testing at 8:30 am at the HS Track. The APP Parent Permission form must be on file for an athlete to participate in testing. 
• Tuesday, 8/11/26 - Sports Physicals from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM  in the High School Health Office.  You must have submitted the APP Parent Permission form by 7/23/26.
• Thursday, 8/13/26 – APP Physical Fitness testing at 8:30 AM at the HS Track. The APP Parent Permission form must be on file for an athlete to participate in testing.