AURORA – The Classification and League Organization Committee met on Wednesday, moving the pieces for the 2026-28 two-year cycle more firmly into place.

The meeting was a crucial step as CHSAA overhauls its classification process. Last school year, the Legislative Council voted to approve a number of new bylaws which sought to bring more competitive balance to classifications. Included was a major shift in philosophy: No longer would the goal be to split teams evenly into classifications; instead, there was a directive to group schools of similar size together.

It was a topic that was repeatedly returned to during the more than five-hour meeting, along with a desire for consistency across sports.

Ultimately, the committee recommended and approved the following:

• A second classification for both esports and unified bowling, giving both a Class 5A and 4A.
• Formal classification splits were set, and the group adjusted the splits for three sports/activities in the process: speech & debate, basketball and soccer. 
• Primary league placement, the overwhelming majority of which was set by member schools, got a stamp of approval.
• The group also approved secondary league placement in the sport of football.
• Recommended seven new schools for membership.

All items will need final approval by the Legislative Council at its next meeting, which is due to be held on Feb. 3, 2026.
 

New Classifications

Both esports and unified bowling, among CHSAA’s newest activities, have shown rapid growth. There are currently 76 schools that offer unified bowling. The sport’s enrollment split will be set at 1500, meaning schools above that threshold will be in 5A, and schools below will be in 4A. The split at 1500 mirrors most other sports.

A total of 141 schools offer esports in either the fall or spring season (or both seasons). That sport’s split was set at 1000, with schools whose three-year average is above that figure will be in 5A, and those below will be 4A. The setup follows the same split that will be used by girls wrestling.
 

Enrollment Splits

The enrollment splits for all sports had been set in a preliminary way since mid-September. However, the committee’s approval of the splits makes them a formal recommendation to the Legislative Council. That means they will head to that body for a final vote next February.
Find all splits for all sports in the CLOC data.

The CLOC did its due diligence in voting to approve the splits, including voting on four proposals to adjust where they were placed. Three of the proposals were approved:

• Adjusting the split between 2A and 3A soccer from 400 students to 300 students. Now schools from 1-299 will be 2A, and those from 300-749 will be 3A. This brings soccer’s classification numbers in line with other sports which have four classifications.
• Lowering the split between 1A and 2A basketball from 100 to 85 students. Now, the 1A schools will range from 1-84, while 2A schools will range from 85-249. This applies to boys and girls basketball.
• In speech and debate, the cut between 3A and 4A was raised from 750 to 1,000, in part because of the difference in disciplines offered at each classification’s state event. Now, the 3A split goes from 1-999, while 4A schools will be 1,000-1,499. That is the same split used by girls swimming and diving, which also has three classifications.

 

Primary Leagues

The group approved placement into primary leagues for all schools. 

Three schools asked to be considered by CLOC for league placement. The committee voted to do the following:

• The Village was placed as an independent.
• Sand Creek was left in its original placement in the South Central League.
• Lotus School for Excellence was placed as an independent.

 

Football Alignment

Because football leagues have traditionally been created by the football committee, the CLOC has the role of approving that placement. The group voted to approve league placement in all seven classifications, including 10 individual votes which accounted for changes that had been made to the original proposal from the football committee.

Final football league alignment will be available on the CLOC Dashboard in the coming days.
 

New CHSAA Members

The CLOC approved request for probationary membership from seven schools:

• Arma Dei Academy (Highlands Ranch)
• St. John Paul the Great (Denver)
• Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Victory (Centennial)
• DSST: Elevate (Denver)
• DSST: Cole (Denver)
• DSST: Aurora Science & Technology (Aurora)
• Ascent Northern Colorado (Windsor)

Each school will become probationary members if approved by the Legislative Council. If that happens, it would bring the CHSAA membership to 381 schools.
 

Other items

• The group moved Vanguard Classical Academy East from probationary membership to full membership, acknowledging and applauding the growth the school had made in the past year.
• The meeting was streamed live on YouTube, and can be rewatched in its entirety.