Schools and Educational Entities | National High School BBQ Association®

School & District Verification Process

School & District Verification Process

The National High School BBQ Association (NHSBBQA®) maintains a formal School & District Verification Process to ensure that all participating programs operate as legitimate, educator-led, school-based activities aligned with public education standards.

Verification protects students, schools, districts, sponsors, and partners by confirming that participation in NHSBBQA® programs is educational in nature and conducted under appropriate supervision and governance.

Why Verification Matters

NHSBBQA® programs are designed to function within the structure of schools and districts, not as independent clubs, private teams, or adult competitions.

Verification ensures that each participating program:

• Operates with school or district approval

• Is led or supervised by a credentialed educator or approved adult

• Meets student safety and supervision expectations

• Aligns with Career & Technical Education (CTE) objectives

• Maintains clear accountability and oversight

This process allows districts to participate with confidence and gives sponsors assurance that programs meet educational standards.

Who Must Be Verified

Verification is required for:

• Public school programs

• Charter school programs

• Private school programs

• District-approved extracurricular or CTE programs

Independent teams, adult competitors, or unaffiliated groups are not eligible for NHSBBQA® educational sanctioning.

Verification Requirements

To complete verification, schools or districts must provide:

1. School or District Identification

   • Official school name

   • District affiliation (if applicable)

2. Educator or Program Sponsor Information

   • Faculty advisor, CTE instructor, or approved adult supervisor

   • School-issued email or documentation

3. Program Confirmation

   • Confirmation that participation is school-approved

   • Alignment with curriculum, CTE, or extracurricular programming

4. Safety & Supervision Acknowledgment

   • Agreement to follow NHSBBQA® safety standards

   • Adult supervision requirements during all activities and events

Verification Review & Approval

Once submitted:

• Documentation is reviewed by NHSBBQA®

• Verification status is recorded in the national registry

• Approved programs receive verified status for:

  • Event participation

  • Championship eligibility

  • Credentialed judging

  • Sponsor-supported activities

Verification is ongoing, not permanent, and may be reviewed annually or if concerns arise.

What Verification Is — and Is Not

Verification IS:

• A confirmation of school or district legitimacy

• A safeguard for students and educators

• A requirement for participation in NHSBBQA®-sanctioned events

Verification IS NOT:

• Accreditation

• Curriculum approval by a state agency

• A substitute for district policies or local governance

National Consistency, Local Control

NHSBBQA® respects local control and district authority.
Verification does not override district policies, campus rules, or state education requirements.

Our role is to provide national consistency, not local micromanagement.

Maintaining Verified Status

Verified schools and districts are expected to:

• Maintain educator supervision

• Follow published safety and conduct standards

• Participate in good faith as an educational program

• Notify NHSBBQA® of significant program changes

Failure to maintain standards may result in review or suspension of verified status.

Get Started

• [Start School Verification] / [School Approval Overview Flow]

• [District Approval Packet]

• [National Authority & Educational Sanctioning]

• [Judge & Educator Credentials]

Participation in NHSBBQA® programs requires school or district verification.
NHSBBQA® is an educational sanctioning body for school-based programs.

National High School BBQ Association®, NHSBBQA®, and related marks are used under licensed educational governance standards. Participation is subject to approval and ongoing compliance with national program requirements.

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