NMAA Member School Classification and Alignment for the 2018 2019 School Year

Link to the NMAA Classifications for 2018-2019  (This is the complete document with district tables showing who is in what district)

FOR 2018-2019/2019-2020

SECTION IV CLASSIFICATION AND ALIGNMENT

4.1 NMAA MEMBER SCHOOL CLASSIFICATION AND ALIGNMENT

1. 4.1.1  GeneralClassification and Alignment falls under the direction and purview of the Board of Directors. The Executive Director and Associate Director are responsible for making recommendations on matters of classification and alignment to the Board of Directors.
2. 4.1.2  Criteria for Classification / AlignmentA comprehensive review of member school enrollment numbers is undertaken to determine classification and alignment for all sports. An average of 80-day enrollment count numbers (grades 9-12) for the second and third years prior to the start of a new block and the 40-day enrollment count numbers just prior to the start of a new block, are utilized to determine the enrollment figure for each school. All member schools are then placed in a classification by their enrollment average.

A. There will be five (5) classifications for all sports except football in which there will be seven (7) classifications:

A 0–99 Students
2A 100 – 234 Students

3A 235 – 549 Students

4A 550 – 1299 Students

5A 1300+  Students

6, 8, or 11-man 8 or 11-man 2A 11-man 3A 4A 5A 6A

0-99 100-129 130-234 235-549 550-999 1000-1449 1450+

2. A multiplier of 1.3 will be applied to all private/boarding schools, except in the sport of football.Exception: Boarding Schools that provide written notice to the NMAA that they will not use Bylaw 6.7.7 to obtain eligibility for its students will not be subject to the 1.3 multiplier.
3. Schools will be placed into a particular classification / district for a two-year block.

4.1.3 Rules of Classification and Alignment.

1. Schools that fail to complete seasons and/or fulfill contracts in any sport may be placed on probationary status in that sport and must petition the Director and the Board of Directors to be eligible for post-season play the succeeding year. Schools must fulfill financial obligations as set by the Director prior to having their status restored.
2. In team sports, schools will not be allowed to enter a classification and/or district until the beginning of a two-year block. New schools / teams are encouraged to participate as independents but they are not eligible for district or post-season play until the beginning of the next block.

 Exception- new schools that have appropriate plans with the NMAA for the future will be allowed to enter during the middle of a block.

Section IV- Page 1

FOR 2018-2019/2019-2020

C. In individual sports, which includes cross country, golf, tennis, swimming & diving, and track & field, schools may enter a district anytime during the block with proper written communication to the NMAA.

D. Independent status may be achieved by member schools in all team sports. Member schools who desire independent status must inform the NMAA of this intention.

4. 4.1.4  Classification and Alignment Appeals
   1. A school wishing to appeal their placement must notify the Executive Director of this fact within 72 hours of the conclusion of the Board meeting at which Classification and Alignment is decided.
   2. Appeals of Classification will be considered under the following conditions:
      1. In the case of an error in enrollment numbers. Appropriate documentation must be provided to indicate that the Public Education Department agrees with the enrollment number change.
      2. Schools may appeal to the Board to play up in classification. If approved by the Board to do so, the school must play up in all sports for the entire block, except they may choose to play in their actual classification for football.
      3. Schools may appeal to the Board to play up in classification for the sport of football.
   3. Schools are requested to submit their appeal documentation to the Executive Director 72 hours prior to the start of the Board meeting at which appeals will be heard.
   4. Schools will be allowed a maximum of 10 minutes to make their appeal to the Board of Directors.
5. 4.1.5  Sport Specific Classifications for 2018-19 / 2019-20