Academics · Subject Resources

Weigh the teams
before the tryouts

The strongest program is not always the right one. Weigh the sport, playing time, safety, schoolwork and cost the way this child would, rate each school and enter the fees and practice hours so the season is clear before it starts.

Start a comparisonWhat you get

Comparisons

The worked example is made up: three high schools for a soccer player, where the top program cuts most freshmen and the smallest has a trainer only at games, and two middle schools for a new runner. Use initials or a code for the child.

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What you get

Academics · Subject ResourcesFree

What you finish with
A saved comparison per decision: how much the sport, playing time, safety, schoolwork and cost matter; each school rated 1 to 5 with the sport fee and practice hours; seven questions such as the concussion plan marked answered or still to ask; and a next step. The flags rank the schools, call out a must-have rated 2 or lower, long practice weeks and the fee range. A side-by-side table prints.
Who it is for
Student athletes and their parents or guardians choosing a middle or high school.
Format
Browser tool with a saved record per decision. Prints a side-by-side table with the scores, the full record, every comparison in a table or a blank form; downloads a spreadsheet (.csv); exports and imports a file.
Access
Free. No account, no sign-in and nothing to install. Everything you type stays in this browser; nothing is sent to Caveat.
Where it lives
The Subject Resources space in Caveat Academics.
Support
Questions about access, an order or a correction: team@caveatacademic.com.

How to use it

  1. Decide what the child wants from the sport.
  2. Ask about tryouts and the trainer.
  3. Enter fees and practice hours.
  4. Rate each school.
  5. Print the side-by-side table.

Start a comparison

Concussion: what every program should have

Return to play after a concussion1Out the same dayRemoved from play when aconcussion is suspected; no2CheckedSeen by a health careprovider, who must clear any3Back to schoolLearning comes back first,with adjustments if needed.4Light activityWalking or a stationary bike,then sport-specific drills.5PracticeNon-contact, then full-contactpractice once cleared.6GamesCompetition only after everystep without symptoms.Return to play after a concussion1Out the same dayRemoved from play when a concussion issuspected; no return that day.2CheckedSeen by a health care provider, who mustclear any return.3Back to schoolLearning comes back first, withadjustments if needed.4Light activityWalking or a stationary bike, thensport-specific drills.5PracticeNon-contact, then full-contact practiceonce cleared.6GamesCompetition only after every stepwithout symptoms.
Ask each school for its written plan. A program that cannot show one is worth a low safety rating.

The law in every state

Every state has a youth sports concussion law. Most require that a player suspected of a concussion is removed from play, is not allowed back the same day, and returns only with written clearance from a health care provider. Many also require education for coaches, players and parents each season.

Trainers and playing time

An athletic trainer is a licensed health care professional. Ask whether one covers practices as well as games, since most injuries happen at practice. For playing time, ask how many students tried out last year and how many made each team.

Sources

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HEADS UP to Youth Sports: concussion information and return to play (cdc.gov/heads-up).
  2. National Federation of State High School Associations. Suggested Guidelines for Management of Concussion in Sports (nfhs.org).
  3. National Athletic Trainers' Association. Appropriate medical care for secondary school-age athletes (nata.org).
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Get a Heads Up on Concussion in Sports Policies (state concussion laws).

The worked example and its schools are made up. The return-to-play steps describe CDC guidance in general terms; follow the plan of the health care provider who clears the player. Nothing you type is sent to Caveat. Support: team@caveatacademic.com.