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Washington Interscholastic Activities Association

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This article is about the governing body of high school sports in Washington. For the similar body in Wisconsin, see Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association.

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) is the governing body of athletics and activities for secondary education schools in the state of Washington. As of October 2024, the private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization consists of nearly 800 member high schools and middle/junior high schools, both public and private.[1]

Washington Interscholastic Activities Association
AbbreviationWIAA
Formation1905, 119 years ago
TypeVolunteer; NPO
Legal statusAssociation
PurposeAthletic/Educational
Headquarters435 Main Avenue South
Renton, WA 98057
Coordinates47°28′37″N 122°12′18″W / 47.477°N 122.205°W / 47.477; -122.205
Region served
Washington
Official language
English
Executive Director
Mick Hoffman
AffiliationsNational Federation of State High School Associations
Staff
14
Websitewiaa.com
Remarks(425) 687-8585

Purpose

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Founded in 1905 to "create equitable playing conditions"[1] between member teams, the WIAA plans and supervises interscholastic sports and activities approved and delegated by the various school district boards of directors. The organization emphasizes the importance of interscholastic sports and activities in the "total educational process"[1] while recognizing that education is the primary responsibility of its member schools.

The WIAA creates and governs rules to establish uniformity of standards in sports and activities; to protect the safety and health of students; to shield students from exploitation by special interest groups; to provide fair and equal opportunities to all students participating; and to encourage good sportsmanship. A stated goal of the organization is to promote diversity of its membership at all levels.[1]

The organization also provides member schools an open channel of communication with other members to organize any events and activities, as well as to resolve any issues. In addition, the WIAA recognizes achievement and excellence of member teams and individuals participating in sports and activities.

Funding

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Primary funding for the WIAA is through ticket sales for state tournaments and other events.[1] Additional funds are secured through corporate sponsorships, memberships fees, and small percentages of the sales of merchandise related to the organization and its member schools. As a private organization, the WIAA does not receive any funding via tax dollars and is not financially supported by the State of Washington.

WIAA-sanctioned sports & activities

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The WIAA oversees athletics and fine arts in Washington state. As of October 2024, the organization hosts 120 state championship events[1] for the following sports and activities:

Athletics

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Other activities

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Classification

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The organization places member schools into one of six classification tiers based on enrollment ranges: 1B, 2B, 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A. Classification tiers are based on student body enrollment in grades 9–11 and used by the WIAA to maintain fair and equal competition between its member high schools. The enrollment ranges are evaluated by the WIAA Executive Board every four years and finalized for a four-year period. Enrollments of single-gender schools are doubled for classification purposes.[2]

Current enrollment classifications (2024–2028)[3]
Classification Enrollment
(gr. 9–11)		 Member
schools		 Opted
-up
4A 1201+ 51 6
3A 900-1200 73 13
2A 450–899 63 2
1A 225–449 55 8
2B 105-224 54 1
1B 1-104 105 –
Total 410
Historic classification, by enrollment
Years Enrollment class
4A 3A 2A 1A 2B 1B
2008–10[4] 1281+ 919–1280 468–918 188–467 88–187 0–87
2010–12[5] 1304+ 1086–1303 513–1085 208–512 93–207 0–92
2012–14[6]
2014–16[7] 1252.4+ 990.9–1252.3 472-990.8 225-471.9 90-224.9 26-89.9
2016–20[8] 1343.29+ 971.72–1343.28 461–971.71 214.50–461.24 31–214.49 26–82.99
2020–24[9] 1300+ 900–1299 450–899 225–449 105–224 1-104

Opt-up

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Historic classification tiers[10]
Years 4A 3A 2A 1A 2B 1B
2006–present 4A 3A 2A 1A 2B 1B
1998–2006 4A 3A 2A 1A B
1969–1997 AAA AA A B
1958–1968 AA A B
1945–1957 A B
1944–1945 single classification
1942–1943 A B
1934–1941 single classification
1931–1933 A B
1923–1930 single classification

Member schools may choose to move up to a higher classification tier to compete against schools with larger enrollments. If a school chooses to opt up, it must notify the WIAA office on or before the second Friday in January of the first year of the four-year classification cycle.[11]

League alignments

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WIAA districts are divided approximately by county

The WIAA is divided into nine districts that represent approximate geographical areas.[12] Each district is presided over by a District Director. Member schools are aligned into geographical conferences or leagues for competition. District membership is determined by these conferences and leagues with the exception of two. The Columbia Basin Big Nine Conference and Central Washington Athletic Conference have member schools in two districts.[12] Conference and League alignment is determined annually. The following are league alignments as of 2016-2017 school year and are subject to revision to adjust for the 2016-2020 reclassification.

WIAA League alignments[12]
District Leagues
No. Name 4A 3A 2A 1A 2B 1B
1 Northwest Wesco 4A Wesco 2A/3A   Northwest 1B
  Northwest 1A/2A/3A Northwest 1B/2B
2 Sea-King Kingco 4A Kingco 3A Kingco 2A Emerald Sound 1A Sea-Tac 1B/2B
  Metro 3A   Independent
3 West Central South Puget Sound 4A South Sound 3A South Puget Sound 2A Nisqually 1A   North Olympic 1B
North Puget Sound 3A/4A  
  Pierce County 3A  
  Olympic 2A/3A   Independent
4 Southwest Greater St. Helens 4A Greater St. Helens 3A Greater St. Helens 2A Trico 1A Pacific 2B Coastal 1B
  Evergreen 2A Evergreen 1A Central 2B Columbia Valley 1B
5 Yakima Valley Columbia Basin Big 9 4A   Central Washington 2A South Central 1A Eastern Washington 2B Central Washington 1B
6 North Central   Caribou Trail 1A Central Washington 2B
7 Northeast   Northeast 1A Northeast 2B Northeast 1B
8 Greater Spokane Greater Spokane 2A/3A/4A  
Mid-Columbia 3A/4A  
9 Southeast   Southeast 1B East

Northwest District One

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The Northwest Interscholastic Activities Association[13] governs WIAA District 1,[12] which encompasses the five counties in the northwest section of Washington State: Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, San Juan, and Island. As of February 2011, Northwest District 1 includes seven leagues with member schools from all classifications and a single independent member school.[14] The Western High School Athletic Conference regulates two 4A classification leagues and one 3A classification league. Its membership consists of high schools in the public school districts of Arlington, Edmonds, Everett, Lake Stevens, Marysville, Monroe, Mukilteo, Oak Harbor, Shoreline, Snohomish, and Stanwood.[15] The North Sound Conference regulates member schools residing in the 1A classification. Its membership consists of high schools in Snohomish, Island and north King counties, in and near Everett.[16] The Northwest Conference regulates member schools in 3A, 2A and 1A classifications. Its membership consists of high schools in western Whatcom, Skagit and counties, in and near Bellingham and Mount Vernon.[17] The Northwest 2B/1B League regulates member schools in 2B and 1B classifications. Its membership consists of high schools in San Juan, Skagit, Island and Snohomish counties. The Northwest B League regulates member schools in 1B classification. Its membership consists of small public and private high schools in San Juan, Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties.[18]

Northwest District One league alignments

WesCo 4A

WesCo 2A/3A

Northwest Conference (1A/2A/3A)

Northwest 1B/2B League (1B/2B)

Northwest 1B League

  • Arlington Christian Lions
  • Cedar Park Christian - Lynnwood Lions[19]
  • Grace Academy Eagles
  • Shoreline Christian Chargers
  • Lopez Island Lobos
  • Lummi Nation Blackhawks
  • Providence Classical Christian Highlanders
  • Skykomish Rockets
  • Fellowship Christian Eagles
  • Tulalip Heritage Hawks
  • Orcas Christian School Saints

SeaKing District Two

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The SeaKing District encompasses mostly schools in King County. The schools are in all classification sizes and separated into five leagues by size and location. A majority of the state's 3A schools are located in this district and the West Central District 3. The Center School, International Community School, International School, and Secondary BOC[20] are independents in this District.

SeaKing District Two member schools

KingCo 4A

KingCo 3A

KingCo 2A

Metro League

Emerald Sound League (1A)

SeaTac (1B/2B)

Independent

West Central District Three

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The WCD encompasses schools in Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Pierce, Mason, Thurston, and King counties of the northern Peninsula and southern Puget Sound areas of Washington. The district has the most 4A and 3A schools combined in the state, with 26 and 16 respectively. It includes schools from all classification sizes, although most of the 2B schools in the region are members SeaTac league of SeaKing District Two.

West Central District Three league alignments

North Puget Sound 3A/4A Olympic

Cascade

South Puget Sound 4A

Puget Sound League 3A

South Puget Sound 2A

Olympic 1A/2A

Nisqually 1A

North Olympic 1B

Southwest Washington District Four

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The Southwest District, as its name suggests, includes schools south of the Olympic Mountains and west of the Cascade Range. The Washington School for the Blind (1B), Three Rivers Christian (1B), King's Way Christian (1B), Maple Lane High School (1A), and Vancouver School of Arts and Academics (1A) are independents.[21]

Southwest Washington District Four league alignments

Greater St. Helens 3A/4A

Greater St. Helens 2A

Evergreen 2A

Evergreen 1A

Trico 1A

Pacific 2B

Central 2B

Columbia Valley 1B

Coastal 1B

Yakima Valley District Five

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The Yakima Valley District includes schools in south central Washington. The schools are divided into five leagues.

Yakima Valley District Five league alignments

CWAC 2A

SCAC 1A

EWAC 2B 2B

Greater Columbia Gorge 1B

  • Sunnyside Christian Knights (Southeast 1B for football only)
  • Trout Lake Mustangs
  • Yakima Tribal School Eagles

North Central District Six

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North Central District Six league alignments

Columbia Basin Big-9 4A

Caribou Trail 1A

Central Washington 2B

  • Brewster Bears
  • Bridgeport Mustangs
  • Lake Roosevelt Raiders
  • Liberty Bell Mountain Lions
  • Manson Trojans
  • Oroville Hornets
  • Soap Lake Eagles
  • Okanogan Bulldogs
  • Tonasket Tigers

Central Washington 1B

  • Cascade Christian Academy Wolverines
  • Easton Jaguars
  • Entiat Tigers
  • Waterville-Mansfield Shockers
  • Moses Lake Christian Academy Lions
  • Pateros Billygoats and Nannies
  • Riverside Christian Crusaders (District 5)
  • Wilson Creek Devils

Northeast District Seven

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Northeast District Seven league alignments

Northeast 1A

Northeast 2B

Northeast 1B

Greater Spokane/Mid-Columbia District Eight

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The Greater Spokane League was formed in 1925 as the Spokane City League and became the GSL in 1976.[23] District 8 was created to separate the larger schools (then AAA) from the smaller schools in District 7. Schools that dropped to 2A therefore leave the GSL and District 8, to the Great Northern League (GNL, formerly Frontier League) in District 7. Consequently, schools have gone through great lengths to remain in the league and maintain historic rivalries. Gonzaga Prep opts-up to 4A, despite having 2A enrollment numbers.[24][25] For the 2020–21 school year, Cheney moved up to 3A; with only four teams left in the GNL, that league was folded and absorbed into a new GSL 2A division.[26]

Greater Spokane District Eight league alignments

Mid-Columbia 3A/4A

Greater Spokane 2A/3A/4A

Southeast District Nine

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Southeast District Nine league alignment

Southeast 1B/2B

  • Colton Wildcats
  • Garfield-Palouse Vikings
  • Pomeroy Pirates
  • Prescott Tigers
  • St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse Eagles
  • Touchet Indians

Neighboring states (and province)

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f "About US - Our Mission". WIAA.com.
  2. ^ "4.0.0 Classification of schools" (PDF). WIAA Handbook. 2024–2025. p. 7. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  3. ^ "Classifications 2024-28". WIAA. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  4. ^ "2008-10 WIAA Classification Enrollment Data". WIAA. January 27, 2008. Archived from the original on March 14, 2010.
  5. ^ "2010-12 WIAA Classification Enrollment Data". WIAA. January 24, 2010. Archived from the original on May 4, 2012.
  6. ^ "2012-14 WIAA Classification Enrollment Data". WIAA. January 23, 2012. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012.
  7. ^ "2014-16 WIAA Classification Enrollment Data". WIAA. January 27, 2014. Archived from the original on April 6, 2016.
  8. ^ "2016-20 WIAA Classification Enrollment Data". WIAA. January 25, 2016. Archived from the original on December 17, 2016.
  9. ^ "2020-24 WIAA Classification Enrollment Data". WIAA. January 26, 2020. Archived from the original on February 7, 2023.
  10. ^ "WIAA Classification History". WIAA. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  11. ^ "4.4.0 Opting for a Higher Classification" (PDF). WIAA Handbook. 2024–2025. p. 8. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d "WIAA Districts & Leagues". WIAA.com.
  13. ^ "Northwest District 1". nwdist1.com.
  14. ^ "Northwest Interscholastic Activities Association (Northwest District 1) Handbook 2010-2011" (PDF).
  15. ^ "Western Conference Guidelines 2010-2011" (PDF).
  16. ^ "Cascade Conference Handbook 2010-2011" (PDF).
  17. ^ "Northwest Conference Handbook 2010-2011" (PDF).
  18. ^ "Northwest B League Constitution" (PDF).
  19. ^ "Cedar Park Christian Schools". Archived from the original on 2012-07-23.
  20. ^ "Seattle Schools Index". www.seattleschools.org.
  21. ^ "Washington District 4". Archived from the original on July 21, 2008.
  22. ^ "Summer Athletic Calendar". Archived from the original on 2014-07-13.
  23. ^ "The League of Champions - League Info - League History". Greater Spokane League. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-27.
  24. ^ Ralley, Dan (Jan 6 1997) Reclassification Sets Off Scramble in State High Schools
  25. ^ "Seattle PI". Retrieved 15 Mar 2010.[dead link]
  26. ^ Wiebe, Stephan (October 9, 2019). "Pullman, Clarkston set to join Greater Spokane League". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
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