School Classification
New Classifications Beginning in 2027–2028
Beginning with the 2027–2028 school year, all DIAA team sports will compete under a new Division I and Division II classification model approved by the DIAA Board of Directors on June 11, 2026. School placements are determined using the approved classification formula outlined in the DIAA Competition Committee’s State Tournament Guidelines.
The approved realignment establishes a more consistent championship structure across sports, expands participation opportunities, utilizes objective criteria for division placement, and creates a formal process for evaluating school and sport classifications.
The DIAA Competition Committee’s State Tournament Guidelines outline the approved division alignment structure, tournament qualification criteria, and the methodology used to determine classifications.
2027–2028 Division I and Division II Classification Resources
- DIAA Competition Committee – State Tournament Guidelines (pdf download)
- DIAA Division Alignments for 2027-2028 (Board approved 6.11.26)
Football will continue to be classified into 3A, 2A, 1A. See Football Classifications below.
Current Division I and II Classifications
Currently, DIAA conducts State Championships for Division I and Division II in the following sports: boys’ and girls’ cross country, dual team wrestling, boys’ and girls’ outdoor track, boys’ soccer, girls’ soccer and field hockey.
DIAA classifies all schools into Division I that have a DOE certified enrollment count for grades 9 through 12 equal to or greater than the school with the smallest enrollment in either the Blue Hen Conference Flight A or the Henlopen Conference North. That number for the 2025-2027 school years is 1104. This count consists of all students who, if eligible, would participate at that school, including special needs students. Single gender schools have their total enrollment doubled to determine their final enrollment number. All other schools are classified as Division II.
DIAA conducts State Football Championships in Class 1A, 2A, and 3A.
DIAA Division Alignments for 2025-2027 (Board approved 4.10.25)
DIAA Division Alignments for 2023-2025 (10.16.23)
| Appoquinimink | Caesar Rodney | Cape Henlopen | Charter School of Wilmington |
| Christiana | Delcastle | Dover | Hodgson |
| Middletown | Milford | Odessa | Padua (girls) |
| Polytech | Salesianum (boys) | Smyrna | St. Georges |
| Sussex Central | Sussex Tech | William Penn |
Football Classifications
The DIAA Football Championships are conducted using a three-tier classification system, with schools placed into districts based on geographic location. DIAA crowns a Class 3A, Class 2A, and Class 1A Football State Champion each year.
The 3A classification is divided into two districts, while the 2A and 1A classifications consist of three districts.
This football classification model promotes greater competitive balance and uniformity among schools, provides flexibility for in-state scheduling, addresses student-athlete safety considerations, and aims to increase participation and interest in football by creating additional opportunities for schools to compete at a level best suited to their programs.
