14 NCISAA schools change classifications for next two years

Fourteen N.C. Independent Athletics Association schools are changing classifications for the next two years. Unlike the N.C. High School Athletic Association, the NCISAA re-aligns its classes every two years, while schools are free to change conference affiliation any year.

The NCISAA has four classes and is using final enrollment numbers for grades 9-12 from last September. Schools in the 4A class have 301 or more 9-12 students, while 3A has between 186-300, the 2A class sits at 116-185 and the limit for 1A is 115 students or fewer.

Moving up to 4A from 3A: Gaston Christian and Greensboro Day are making the move upward. Greensboro Day is no stranger to the largest class, but this will be a first for Gaston Christian.Greensboro Day won three state titles last year -- in boys basketball (where it's been a powerhouse for decades), boys lacrosse, and boys golf.The Bengals also won boys golf and boys basketball titles in 2025 and a boys lacrosse title 2024.Gaston Christian, which has been perhaps strongest in baseball, won the girls soccer title last year.

Moving down to 3A from 4A:Forsyth Country Day is the only school going down from 4A to 3A, essentially trading places with conference foe Greensboro Day. Like Greensboro Day, the Furies were state champions in basketball a season ago.The last time Forsyth Country Day was 3A, it won a whopping five state titles in the 2023-24 athletic year (boys cross country, boys basketball, boys swimming, girls lacrosse, girls soccer).

Moving up to 3A from 2A:Two schools are sliding up to 3A -- Burlington Christian and Liberty Christian (of Richlands). Burlington Christian has won five state titles in the last two years, including back-to-back girls cross country championships. The Royals also took boys tennis and girls track and field a year ago and baseball in 2025.Liberty Christian, which joined the NCISAA this decade, has yet to win an NCISAA title in any sport.

Moving down to 2A from 3A:Carolina Day is back in 2A after a brief stint in 3A. The Wildcats have had individual champions but no team titles in their last two years. St. David's has been 3A since the NCISAA first went to four classes in 2019.Neither school has won a team title in the last three years.

Moving up to 2A from 1A: Four schools are moving up to 2A, including Cape Fear Christian, who has four titles in the last four years (girls golf and softball in 2024-25, back-to-back girls tennis).Neuse Christian is back in 2A after two years in 1A, and North Hills Christian and Southeastern Christian are both 2A for the first time.

Moving down to 1A from 2A: The three schools moving down to 1A are Wayne Country Day, The Burlington School and The O'Neal School. Only Wayne Country Day (boys golf in 2026) has a team title in the last two years, though The Burlington School is known for its basketball and The O'Neal School claimed four 2A titles in the 2023-24 athletic year (girls golf, girls basketball, girls swimming, boys golf).

New full-fledged and provisional members: New NCISAA members are given a provisional status for two years and are not eligible for postseason or championships during that time. Arborbrook Christian, a 1A school in Wesley Chapel, has completed its two years and will be eligible for the playoffs this year.Lee Park Prep (2A), Lake Norman Christian (1A), Mintz Christian (1A), Sandhills Classical Christian (1A), Thales-Cary (1A), Thales-Flowers Plantation (1A), and United Faith Christian (1A) are all entering their second year Meanwhile, Liberty Prep Christian (2A) from Mooresville, Grace Christian of Haw River (1A), NorthPoint Christian (1A) from Waxhaw are starting their two-year provisional period this year.

Leaving the NCISAA: Westminster Catawba Christian, located in Rock Hill, S.C., is now in the S.C. Independent School Association. That leaves Rabun Gap of Georgia as the only out-of-state team in the NCISAA.