Mission Statement

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) serves its members by providing leadership for the administration of education-based high school athletics and activities through the writing of playing rules that emphasize health and safety, educational programs that develop leaders, and administrative support to increase opportunities and promote sportsmanship.

We Believe
Student participation in education-based high school athletics and activities:
 Is a privilege
Is a privilege
Enriches the educational experience
Enriches the educational experience
Encourages academic achievement
Encourages academic achievement
Promotes respect, integrity and sportsmanship
Promotes respect, integrity and sportsmanship
Prepares for the future in a global community
Prepares for the future in a global community
Develops leadership and life skills
Develops leadership and life skills
Fosters the inclusion of diverse populations
Fosters the inclusion of diverse populations
Promotes healthy lifestyles and safe competition
Promotes healthy lifestyles and safe competition
Encourages positive school / community culture
Encourages positive school / community culture
Should be fun
Should be fun

THE NFHS

  • Serves as the national authority that promotes and protects the defining values of education-based high school athletics and activities in collaboration with its member state associations.

  • Serves as the national authority on competition rules while promoting fair play and seeking to minimize risk of injury for student participants in education-based high school athletics and activities.

  • Promotes lifelong health and safety values through participation.

  • Develops and delivers impactful, innovative and engaging educational programs to serve the changing needs of state associations, administrators, coaches, directors, officials, students and parents.

  • Provides professional development opportunities for member state association staffs.

  • Promotes cooperation, collaboration and communication with and among state associations.

  • Collects and provides data analysis in order to allow its membership to make informed decisions.