The Charter School Athletic League is an interscholastic athletic organization founded in Newark, New Jersey with a 15+ year track record of providing safe, competitive and fun interscholastic athletic activities. The CSAL offers a turnkey solution for schools looking to implement or expand interscholastic athletic programming.
Participation in the CSAL includes schools from Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, Somerset, and Union Counties, and is growing and expanding every year.
No. Although the CSAL started with a group of charter schools, participation is open to all schools. Public school districts and independent schools currently participate in CSAL Activities.
The CSAL provides activities for middle schools, grades 6-8. The CSAL also administers an elementary basketball league for fourth and fifth grade students.
The CSAL currently offers:
- Basketball
- Cheer
- Cross-Country
- Flag-Football
- Soccer
- Volleyball
The CSAL offers separate leagues for boys and girls. If a school does not have the participation to field separate boys’ and girls’ teams, it can field a co-ed team. Co-ed teams compete in the boys’ league.
No, there are not separate teams for sixth grade, seventh grade and eighth grade. Schools enter one team comprised of students in 6-8 grades for middle school activities and 4-5 grades for elementary school activities.
No, the CSAL does not provide coaches. Schools staff their own programs.
NO, the CSAL does not provide uniforms. Schools provide uniforms. Further information and guidance on uniforms is available in the CSAL Handbook.
Yes, all CSAL activities are officiated by certified referees who also work high school athletics. Once schedules are issued, the CSAL assigns referees to work league games. Schools can request referees for any non-league games during the season.
The CSAL Annual Activity Calendar [Insert link] outlines season start and end dates. There are fall, winter and spring activity seasons.
Seasons are aligned with school marking periods. Regular season league competition is typically eight weeks. The post-season can extend the season two weeks depending how far a school advances.
Participating schools are grouped in divisions based on geographic location. This helps to minimize transportation costs, foster local rivalries and galvanize community participation.
Most games are played afterschool on weekdays. Most flag-football games are played on Saturday mornings. Schools typically play one game per week.
Schools can host games at their respective schools.
If a school does not have a gym or field, it can still participate in CSAL activities. Most of their league games would be scheduled at opposing schools. The CSAL provides fields in Essex County for field sports. Schools can also seek to establish facility user agreements with municipalities, County government and local faith-based organizations, community organizations, non-profits such as Boys & Girls Clubs and YM/WCAs. For more guidance and to discuss your school’s specific situation, please contact the CSAL.
In the lead up to an activity season, schools can submit schedule requests and blackout dates. The CSAL then develops and issues draft schedules for comment. During the one-week comment period, schools can request revisions. At the end of the comment period, schedules are considered final. Any schedule changes after the league issues final schedules are coordinated directly between schools. Schools are responsible for notifying the league of any additional changes. Schedules are posted on the CSAL website. Schools receive a school-specific url to share.
No, only the top-four teams from each division advance to the playoffs. CSAL Playoffs are bracket format like the NCAA. Schools from all divisions are seeded in one bracket.
If you would like more information on the CSAL and to discuss your school’s program in further detail, email us at csal at njeconline dot org to schedule a time to talk.
No. Cheer is a non competitive activity during the fall and winter activity seasons during flag-football and basketball games.