“We fought for home schooling for years and we got that, but this is between them and the family,� he says. “It’s just not that big a deal to us.�

Among others on the initial NCAA list is Einstein Charter School of Morrisville, Pa., whose charter was revoked in 2003 and subsequently lost an appeal to the state. Another school is Celestial Prep of Philadelphia, whose former students include Keith Butler, who later played basketball at Temple University, and Omar Williams, who played at George Washington University. The Philadelphia Christian Academy also made the list.

The NCAA listing is not retroactive, meaning it won’t affect any players already enrolled in college.

More than two dozen other high schools are under review.

“Failure to provide a response to the questions will result in a school being invalidated for use in the initial-eligibility process,� the NCAA said. “In addition, on-site visits have been conducted at some high schools to supplement the information considered in the review.�

But a lawyer representing some of the schools said last week the NCAA does not have legal authority to dictate standards for schools that already operate under state sanction.

“Don’t get me wrong. There are some schools like that that need to be closed,� said attorney Don Jackson. “But the problem is, what they are doing now is going in and trying to kill a flea with an atomic bomb. They’re going to impact a lot of schools that shouldn’t be affected.�

— Associated Press