High School Lettering Program
(updated July 14, 2026)
This program allows high school skaters who are Home Club Members of the EPFSC to earn a Varsity Letter in figure skating by meeting certain criteria during the skating season.
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM
● To offer high school athletic status to figure skaters.
● To extend sanctioned high school skating beyond hockey.
● To give figure skaters the same courtesy and empathy in academic considerations (excused absences and extended deadlines) which traditional high school athletes receive from faculty when events require them to leave school early, be tardy or absent.
● To recognize the accomplishments and time commitment of figure skaters with a varsity letter award to those who meet the requirements. Official high school athletic recognition is important to college applicants. The time demands of figure skating often preclude student participation in much of the regular high school varsity sports programs.
If your skater is interested in pursuing a varsity letter, please reach out to the Athletic Director at their school at the beginning of the school year to understand the requirements of a varsity letter. We have outlined the general requirements of a varsity letter below, BUT your student's school may differ.
It is up to the schools to determine whether a student meets the requirements for a varsity letter. Eden Prairie Figure Skating Club will validate and sign off on the following:
● The skater is a USFSA member and a Home Club member of EPFSC in good standing.
● A skater's club ice hours via the One Tap Check-In system
● Participation in the annual Ice Show. Skaters who participate will be allowed to count 20 hours of ice time for Ice Show practices and performances.
● A skater has trained under the supervision of an approved EPFSC professional coach. (Coach must authorize criminal background check and abide by high school discrimination, harassment, and violence policies).
● A skater's participation in EPFSC Exhibitions or competition exhibitions.
● A skater's testing in a US Figure Skating official test or ISI official skate test during the 12-month season (June - May)
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A LETTER
All Skaters participating in this program must be currently enrolled students of one of the participating schools. Home-schooled students residing in these districts are also eligible.
● The Skater must be a current Home Club Member of the EPFSC and U.S. Figure Skating – both memberships must be in good standing.
● Skater must submit a Student Activities Registration Form, along with the appropriate fee (as determined by High School), to the Lettering Coordinator
● Skater must abide by the High School and Minnesota State High School League activity requirements and have a current Sports Qualifying Physical Form on file at their High School.
● Each Skater must pay the activity fee as specified by the school district.
● Each Skater must attend any applicable meeting as deemed appropriate by the school.
● Each Skater must adhere to all school district rules, policies and requirements concerning student activities including, but not limited to, attendance, conduct, scholastic standing and other eligibility requirements as required of all school district athletes.PLEASE NOTE: If the skater fails to adhere to any of the school district requirements, the skater forfeits the right to letter for that season.
IF YOUR SCHOOL DOES NOT HAVE REQUIREMENTS FOR A FIGURE SKATING VARSITY LETTER, EPFSC WILL PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES BUT THE SCHOOL WILL STILL DETERMINE THE REQUIREMENTS.
1. Skater must have a minimum of 150 hours of validated ice time, signed off on by a figure skating club or coach during the skating year, or the number of hours required by your high school athletic department. (EPFSC hours are tracked via the OneTap Check-in System).
2. Skater must train under the supervision of an approved professional coach. (Coach must authorize criminal background check and abide by high school discrimination, harassment and violence policy.)
3. Must attain the U.S. Figure Skating level of Pre-Silver Singles or higher. If the required test level is not passed during the year, a Participation Certificate may be awarded.
4. Skater must participate in the EPFSC Annual Spring Ice Show.
5. Skater must participate in at least 2 additional “public” events per 12 month season. These events could be:
○ Competitions – each entered event qualifies, i.e., short program and long program at one competition qualifies for the two event requirement
○ EPFSC Exhibitions or Competition Exhibitions
○ Skate of Champions, other designated TCFSA or USFS Exhibitions
6. Must attempt at least one U.S. Figure Skating official test or ISI official skate test during the 12 month season (June – May), with the exception of any skater who has passed their Senior Moves test and is not ready for level (coach approval needed) or has already passed all testing levels.
7. Skater must submit all necessary documentation (testing forms, ordinal sheets, etc) to the Lettering Coordinator. The Lettering Coordinator will verify the number of skated hours.
8. Must adhere to all school district rules, policies, and requirements concerning student activities including attendance, conduct, scholastic standing, and other eligibility requirements. .
The program is periodically approved and reviewed for renewal by the various school districts. This program honors the commitment and skill of student athlete skaters and enables student skaters to earn recognition in the form of a varsity letter.