Incoming Students
Future Cowboys: Join Our Family!
Welcome to Gaither High School, home of the Cowboys! As you prepare to transition from middle school to high school, we're here to make that journey as smooth and exciting as possible. Located in the heart of our district, Gaither High offers a vibrant learning environment with a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities.
What We Offer
Academic Excellence: A broad array of courses including Honors, AP, and dual enrollment options.
Athletics: Championship-winning teams across various sports.
Direct access to tutoring resources within Gaither High School.
Stay Informed
Registration and Enrollment: Essential information about the process and important dates.
School Choice:
School Choice - General Information
School Choice Dates/Information
School Choice - Application
School Registration:
Incoming 9th Graders who presently attend a Gaither High School Feeder Middle School with a Gaither High School Zoned Address will automatically roll into the Hillsborough County School system as a Gaither Student on or around Mid-June. (Only Athletic Registration is Required)
(Gaither High School in Tampa receives most of its student population from Ben Hill and Buchanan Middle Schools. Additionally, Martinez, Adams, and Walker Middle Schools also feed into Gaither High School )
Incoming 9th Graders or New Students (Not Including Approved Choice Applicants) will need to set up an appointment with Gaither High Schools Main Office to enroll potential student athlete. Enrollment Information can be found here. (Summer appointments fill up quickly as there are reduced hours of operation, please be proactive if you would like your student-athlete to participate in Summer Workouts)
Athletic Registration
To take part in the football program at Gaither High School, students must have a completed athletic packet on file using the FHSAA Athletics Clearance Site. All prospective players need to be registered at Gaither High School before submitting any clearance forms.
For the best coverage, physical examinations should be conducted after May 15, 2024, to ensure validity for both the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 seasons. Physicals dated before May 15, 2024, are still acceptable; however, be prepared to update these if they expire during the 2024-2025 school year to maintain eligibility. Any physicals done after March 30, 2024, must use the updated EL2 form provided below; failure to do so will result in denial. Physicals are valid for 365 days, and all relevant EL2 details should be carefully reviewed.
It is mandatory for all athletes, whether returning or new, to have an updated athletic packet by June 5, 2024. There will be no exceptions to this rule!
FAQs: Answers to frequently asked questions by incoming students and parents.
We're excited to welcome you to our school community where you'll make lifelong friendships, explore your passions, and prepare for a successful future.
For more information and to keep updated on upcoming events, please visit our website or contact our administration office. We can't wait to meet our future Cowboys!
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions for New Football Parents
1. What are the eligibility requirements for joining the high school football team?
Students must maintain a 2.0 State GPA and meet physical fitness standards. Attendance and behavior records may also be considered.
2. How do I register my child for the football team?
Registration typically involves submitting a physical exam form, consent waivers, and academic records by a specific deadline, available on the Hillsborough County athletics page.
3. What equipment will my child need?
Players are generally expected to provide their own cleats and protective mouthguards. The school/county provides uniforms, helmets, and other padding.
4. Are there any participation fees?
No, outside of the purchase of the Required Hillsborough County Insurance student athletes are provided with equipment by the County.
(Yes, even if you have insurance through your job or third party, ALL student athletes must have this insurance to play within Hillsborough County)
5. How often are practices and games?
Practices are usually daily (Monday - Thursday) during the season, with games typically once a week (Friday nights) . Off-season conditioning schedules vary, but typically follow a (Monday - Thursday) pattern year round.
6. How can parents get involved?
Parents can volunteer for concessions, join the booster club, assist with fundraising events, or help with team logistics. If interested please visit our Volunteer Information page for how you can get involved!
7. What is the communication method for team updates?
At Gaither we believe instilling responsibility to young men is vital for long term success. Practice times, Schedules and information are provided to players in team meetings and through text or phone calls. It will be the student-athletes responsibility to pass this information on to parents/guardians.
There is a team app messaging application (GroupMe - Gaither Varsity Football) which is managed by one of the team parents and for communication with team parents. (this is a good source of information and a place to ask questions)
Parents are always welcome to reach out to Head Coach Kirk Karsen for direct inquiries.
If parents are looking for more information please check out our Calendar on the Home Page or the school website to communicate practice schedules, game updates, and other important information.
8. Are there academic resources for student-athletes?
Yes, Gaither High School offers tutoring and study halls (ELP - Extended Learning Program) to help student-athletes maintain their academic eligibility. As a staff, we encourage and promote struggling students to use these resources, but also plan accordingly to coordinate with our practice schedule.
9. What are the safety protocols for football?
The program adheres to strict safety guidelines including proper equipment, certified coaching, and concussion protocols. More on safety can be found on the Hillsborough County Website.
10. How can I address concerns about coaching or team management?
Concerns should be directed to the players position coach first, and if not resolved, escalated to Head Coach Kirk Karsen.