COMBINED SCHOOLS POLICY:

WGI recently changed their policy for those schools combining members from multiple schools within a school district.  As a WGI circuit partner we follow all WGI policies and will be reviewing each combined program on a case-by-case basis.  If your scholastic program combines students from multiple schools, please read the information below and then follow the link to the application so we can review your situation.  Combined Schools will need to resubmit their application each year and provide new principal letters, per WGI’s new policy.

The purpose of WGI’s Combined Schools Policy is to encourage participation from scholastic groups that may have limited resources while keeping the integrity of the scholastic classes intact. Combining schools for the purpose of competitive advantage is contrary to this policy and will not be approved.

WGI’s combined schools policy and application can be found at:  https://www.wgi.org/combinedschoolapplication/

All participants of any group competing in any scholastic class must have approval for participation in any AIA-sanctioned event by the administration of the sponsoring school(s). 

What is a Combined School?

Multiple groups within a school district may be approved to combine on a case-by-case review by AIA. In very rare cases, schools from different districts may be approved to combine. A group in any scholastic class may apply for approval to combine students from multiple schools within a school district under the following guidelines:

• Groups combining students from multiple schools within a school district may not have another group in the same division (Color Guard, Percussion, or Winds) participating locally with a Circuit Partner or with WGI.
• Only one (1) group, competitive or otherwise, can result from the combining of schools. 
• If a school has a marching band program, they are not eligible to combine with another school with a marching band program.  (Note:  This is WGI’s rule – AIA will review these requests on a case-by-case basis)
• There can be no auditions of any kind to determine participation in the combined school group.
• Scholastic groups utilizing students from parochial, vocational, or charter schools must apply for approval under combined school guidelines.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

If your application is accepted, a letter from the principals of the participating schools approving the combined program will be required by January 1st.  (Note:  WGI’s deadline is DECEMBER 1st)

AIA will have the final determination on whether a group will be permitted to combine students from multiple schools. If application for combined schools is denied, the group has the option to either not include students from other schools, or compete in an independent class.

APPLICATION

SAMPLE COMBINED SCHOOLS PRINCIPAL LETTER

COMBINED SCHOOLS PRINCIPAL LETTER UPLOAD