The pursuit of a Division I athletic scholarship requires training as a professional while maintaining the academic eligibility of a student. For many elite athletes, that contradiction breaks something — either the athlete’s body from training overload, or their academic record from neglect. Forest Trail Academy resolves the contradiction.
FTA Is NCAA-Eligible: Forest Trail Academy courses have been reviewed for NCAA core course requirements. To maintain eligibility for NCAA Division I athletics, students must complete 16 core courses in required academic areas with a minimum 2.3 GPA. FTA’s catalog covers all NCAA core course areas.
Registering with the NCAA Eligibility Center: When ready, students register at eligibilitycenter.org and submit their FTA transcript. FTA provides official transcripts that include all course titles, grades, and credit hours in the format the NCAA Eligibility Center requires. Detailed guidance available from FTA admissions at 800-890-6269.
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Training Schedules That Work with FTA:
Baseball: Winter training (November-February) is prime study time. During the spring season (March-June), complete lighter coursework requirements. FTA allows this flexible approach; traditional school doesn’t.
Tennis: Junior circuit requires travel to tournaments across the country and internationally. FTA coursework travels with the player — laptop-based, no class to miss.
Swimming: Two-a-day training schedules (6am + 3pm) leave a middle-of-day window. FTA coursework fills that window without conflict.
Football: Spring and summer football training is increasingly intense. FTA’s open enrollment allows starting the academic year in a non-traditional month to align with football’s calendar.
Golf: Junior golf tournaments run year-round. A student at a 4-day junior amateur tournament cannot miss 4 days of traditional school. At FTA, they complete coursework in the hotel room.
GPA and Academic Standing: NCAA eligibility requires specific GPA benchmarks at various points in the college recruitment process. FTA academic counselors monitor GPA and course completion to ensure athletes remain on track. Contact FTA at the first sign of GPA concern — there are remediation options.
- How do I provide my FTA transcript to a college coach? Request an official transcript from FTA — we send directly to coaches and admissions offices
- My sport requires me to travel during final exam periods — what happens? Remote proctoring allows exams from anywhere with an internet connection
- Can I take less rigorous courses to maintain GPA while training heavily? FTA recommends discussing course selection with academic counselors — NCAA has minimum course rigor requirements
- What if my coach needs me to relocate for training? FTA enrollment is location-independent — you enroll in FTA in your home state regardless of where you train
Enroll at Forest Trail Academy Today
Founded in 2007, Forest Trail Academy has served over 10,000 students with a Cognia-accredited K-12 program. Open enrollment year-round. Call 800-890-6269 or submit an inquiry online. Our admissions team is ready to help your family get started immediately.
