When Jackson-Reed football kicked off for their first home game of the 2025 season, something was off in the stands. Just hours before the game, DCPS and DCIAA released a new policy limiting spectators and requiring adult chaperones.
The new policy came following several incidents of violence at high school football games in the DMV area, including two non-fatal stabbings at an Archbishop Carroll High School football game against Friendship Collegiate Academy.
The new rules, which will be in place at least until October 10th, prohibit re-entry to games, end concession sales after the 3rd quarter, adjust start times to 4-5pm if possible, and require separate student sections . Most notably, the new policy requires that all students are accompanied by someone over 18, with each adult being able to chaperone a maximum of three students.
Athletic Director Partice Arrington said, “we just had to do what the mayor asked us to do with something that came down five hours before our game.” Despite the late notice, Arrington was able to reach out to St. Albans and make them aware of the policy.
Many students weren’t able to attend the game due to the new policy, and even those who could struggled to get in due to long security lines caused by the new rules and above average attendance.
Senior Class President Charlie Ketchum said that, “this was the first home football game of the season and the school was really excited about it.” This new policy presents issues particularly for students who live far away and whose parents wouldn’t be able to escort them to games.
Senior Justin Shaya said he “understands where [DCPS] comes from and that this policy will ensure the safety of all fans and students, football games are a valuable high school experience.” Ketchum noted that “the whole point of football and our student section is to come together as a community and support our sports teams,” and this new policy inhibits students’ ability to do that.
Looking forward, the policy was supposed to expire on October 10th, however it is unclear whether DCPS and DCIAA will extend the policy past that date. Until then, Jackson-Reed only has one home football game, on September 26th against Eastern High School. Arrington said that the athletic department is “coming up with a game plan that’s going to be more seamless.”
However, Ketchum, like many JR students, said she isn’t sure if she would attend another Jackson-Reed football game because of this. Arrington is hopeful that the athletic department can create a successful plan for these policies, but admits that “there might not be as many students there, but it’s not up to us.” •