Every two years the MPSSAA reclassifies schools into new groupings based on school populations. These classifications (groupings) are 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A. 1A has the smaller population schools, while 4A has the larger population schools. Each of the four classifications have about 25% of all high schools in Maryland. For the latest classification update, the 1A enrollment range is 102 to 747, the 2A range is 757-1025, the 3A range is 1036-1393, while 4A is 1404-2512.
From the first linked article below, “For the purpose of competition parity in events coordinated by the MPSSAA, member schools are divided as equally as possible into classifications based on enrollment.” That by itself makes sense. Many other states use classifications based on size; some states like Virginia go up to 6A. School population seems to be the easiest way to break up athletic competition. Certainly a school with 700 students will have a more difficult time competing with a school with 1500 students.
Still, there are two main issues with the MPSSAA classification process. Firstly, the numbers the MPSSAA use to classify schools are based on ninth through eleventh grade enrollment. That means the senior class is not accounted for when determining classification. Does that make much difference? Probably not a major difference, but some schools more than others are likely to retain higher senior enrollment than other schools. If school A has a graduation rate of 95% and school B has a graduation rate of 82%, that may affect their classification.
The second and more important issue, which also supports the first point, is schools that are changing classifications may already be competing in the wrong classification. For example, Crofton High School opened in 2019-2020. This year’s graduating senior class is their first ever senior class. This academic year they are competing at 3A; this upcoming school year, they will be in 4A. Crofton, at this moment, while it is classified as a 3A school with 1434 students in 9-11 is truly a 4A school. This also means that any 3A school moving up is in actuality competing in 3A with 4A numbers and 4A schools that are moving down are competing in 4A with 3A numbers. How does this make sense?
The MPSSAA released their tentative classification changes on November 18th. According to their article from the link below, “Enrollment numbers are submitted to the MPSSAA Executive Director by November 1st by each local school system Superintendent and include the actual enrollment of grades 9, 10, 11 in each of the MPSSAA member schools as of September 30th.” Thus, this year’s current enrollment is used to determine the next two year cycle when in fact the classification one sees in the second link should be the current classification. As these enrollment numbers were taken September 30th, that means schools were not properly classified for the cross country state meet on November 13th. Next year’s classification is what it should have looked like this year.
While there is nothing wrong with classifying by school size, the process the MPSSAA uses needs to change. All enrolled students should count towards classification purposes, and classification changes should not be made until as late as reasonably possible. Enrollment numbers used for classification purposes should be taken at the end of the school year to use for the following academic year to make for a fair and appropriate two year cycle.
It is so ordered.
https://www.mpssaa.org/mpssaa-classification-committee-recommends-sport-specific-classifications-to-board-of-control/
https://www.mpssaa.org/assets/1/6/Spring_Sport_Classifications_23-24.pdf
Questions, Concerns, Comments:Â Louis chasingthestandard@gmail.com