The IHSA announced a major change following its board of directors meeting Monday, changing its enrollment classification cycle from a two-year period to a one-year period.

The 2023-24 and 24-25 IHSA enrollment numbers were based on the averages for schools in 21-22 and 22-23. Effective 2025-26, enrollment figures and classifications will be decided each year.

Per a press release issued Monday, the IHSA said it will take enrollments from the Illinois State Board of Education from September 2024 to determine 2025-26 classification enrollment. The release also stated the change was made after discussions following this year’s fall state tournaments.

““The IHSA Board of Directors has heard the concerns from the public, and more importantly, from our member schools in the days since the completion of the IHSA’s fall state tournaments,” the release said. “As a board, we recognize certain trends and data within IHSA sports and activities that lead us to believe that some changes are necessary.”

Due to the issue being a board policy, which are determined by board members, and not a by-law, which are voted on by IHSA members, the board was able to take the action without a statewide vote, but the release did indicate that an official by-law proposal concerning enrollment classification can be brought to IHSA members during the 2025-26 legislative process.

“Throughout the fall, administrators from numerous member high schools across the state have engaged with the board,” the release stated. “We appreciate all communication, respect each point of view that has been offered, and will consider all ideas that have been provided.

“The passion evoked by constituents in their communications to the board are tangible proof that high school sports and activities remain a fabric of our high school communities, and that the work of the IHSA is as important today as it was in 1900.”