North Carolina High School Athletic Association
#BetterTogetherSince1913

Realignment Information

NCHSAA Bylaw VI

Approved May 2023 at Annual Meeting

For purposes of athletic competition, the number of classifications shall be based on the total number of member schools, with no classification exceeding sixty-four schools.

When at least 25 percent of the total number of member schools, or at least half the schools in a classification, participate in a sport sanctioned by the NCHSAA, that sport shall culminate in a state championship for that classification. When less than half of the schools in a classification participate, those schools shall be grouped with schools from the next largest classification(s) not having fifty percent participation in that sport to create a state playoff bracket culminating in a multi-class state championship. If only one classification has less than fifty percent of schools participating in a sport, the schools in that classification shall have a reduced playoff bracket by one round. If that is not possible, then the schools of that classification shall be placed in the state playoffs of the next highest classification.

The initial classification plan using this format will be effective with the 2025-26 school year and shall solely use the ADM figures averaging the daily membership in grades 9,10, 11 and 12 for the first month as submitted to the State Department of Public Instruction. The classification and alignment plan shall be adopted by the Board of Directors every four years and will be effective for a four-year period.

Schools may request reclassification in the second year of the alignment period by following the process published by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall distribute to all member schools and systems annually the process and criteria for classification and alignment, the process for requesting reclassification in the second year of the alignment period, and the process for appealing the classification and alignment decisions of the Association. (Approved April 2023, 335-49)

NCHSAA Handbook, Pages 16-17

Region 1

  • Mickey Drew–Principal, Perquimans High; 1A
  • Chad Williams– Athletic Director, First Flight High; 3A

Region 2

  • Steve Clarke–Principal, Richlands High; 3A
  • Tim Bennett–System AD, Craven County

Region 3

  • David Hackney–System Athletic Director, Durham Public Schools; 2A/3A/4A
  • Travis Seese–Athletic Director, Athens Drive High; 4A

Region 4

  • Chad Hill–Athletic Director, Union Pines High; 3A
  • Ryan Stone–Athletic Director, Grays Creek High; 4A

Region 5

  • Brad Fisher—Athletic Director, RJ Reynolds High; 4A
  • Leigh Hebbard–System Athletic Director, Guilford County Schools; 2A/3A/4A

Region 6

  • Brad Hinson–Athletic Director, Cox Mill High; 4A
  • Craig Smith–Executive Director, Community School of Davidson; 2A

Region 7

  • William Bell–Athletic Director, Forbush High; 2A
  • Casey Rogers–System Athletic Director, Burke County Schools; 2A

Region 8

  • Frank Maennle–Athletic Director, Andrews High; 1A
  • Trevor Putnam–Superintendent, Haywood County Schools; 3A

At-Large

  • Ericia Turner–System Athletic Director, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools

Co-Chairs

  • Stephen Fisher–Superintendent, Cleveland County Schools
  • Tod Morgan–Assistant Principal / Athletic Director – Topsail High School

Affiliate Members

  • Joe Franks—NC Coaches Association
  • Roy Turner—NC Athletic Directors Association

For purposes of athletic competition, four classifications are identified—AAAA, AAA, AA and A. When at least 25 percent of the total number of member schools, or at least half the schools in a classification participate in a sport sanctioned by the NCHSAA, that sport shall culminate in a state championship for that classification. When less than half participate, those schools shall be grouped with schools from all other classifications not having fifty percent participation in unclassified state playoffs. If only one classification has less than fifty percent participation, the schools of that classification shall be placed in the state playoffs of the next highest classification.

The classification and alignment plan shall be adopted by the Board of Directors every four years, and will be effective for a four-year period.  Schools may request reclassification in the second year of the alignment period by following the process published by the Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors shall distribute to all member schools and systems annually the process and criteria for classification and alignment, the process for requesting reclassification in the second year of the alignment period, and the process for appealing the classification and alignment decisions of the Association.

2022-2023 NCHSAA Handbook, Page 16

October 2020 

October 27, 2020—Realignment Committee Meeting by Zoom; review regional meeting information and discuss factors being considered for inclusion in the process

October 29, 2020—Realignment Committee votes on the final process for 21-25 Realignment Process to be sent to NCHSAA Board of Directors

November-December 2020

November 4, 2020—Board of Directors meets to review and discuss Realignment Process Proposal from Committee

November 13, 2020—Staff reviews final information for inclusion in the realignment process

November 17, 2020—Staff posts information for membership online

December 10, 2020—After review by the Realignment Committee, the First Draft of the Realignment Plan released to the membership

January 2021

January 8, 2021—Deadline for schools to submit concerns or adjustments desired to the initial draft. The submission process will be clearly defined and include an online component. Any requests, concerns, or suggestions must be submitted in the appropriate designated fashion. This includes suggestions for conference affiliations or agreements among schools that agreed to be in a conference together.

January 13, 2021—Realignment Committee meets to review schools’ submissions and make adjustments as appropriate.

January 14, 2021—Second draft distributed to schools for review

January 21, 2021—Deadline for schools to Appeal the second draft in writing, using the defined submission process, including concerns, suggestions/solutions. Appeal only if a school has been changed or affected by the initial draft changes due to the pandemic; all appeals to the committee will be virtual.

January 27-28, 2021—Realignment Meetings by ZOOM are held, one for the East and one for the West. Appealing schools will have an opportunity to address the second draft:

  • Eastern Webinar on January 27 & Western Webinar on January 28
  • Details of the format will be shared closer to the dates.

February 2021

 February 3, 2021—Realignment Committee meets and considers making further conference adjustments.

 February 4, 2021—Committee issues the third draft.

 February 10, 2021 (If necessary)—Deadline for final appeals to Realignment Committee. Must be received in writing at NCHSAA by this date. For schools whose conference membership has been altered somehow from previous drafts.

February 17, 2021 (if necessary)—Final appeals to Realignment Committee. Realignment report is then submitted to the Board of Directors.

March-August 2021

 March 2021—NCHSAA Board of Directors hears any final appeals based on procedural errors. (Exact date TBD) Board votes on 21-25 Realignment Plan

August 1, 2021—New 21-25 Alignment begins


wdt_ID wdt_created_by wdt_created_at wdt_last_edited_by wdt_last_edited_at School Name Class School/Class Conference Name Football Only
1 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Bear Grass Charter School 1A Bear Grass Charter School - 1A Atlantic 1A
2 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Cape Hatteras Secondary School 1A Cape Hatteras Secondary School - 1A Atlantic 1A
3 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Columbia High School 1A Columbia High School - 1A Atlantic 1A
4 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Hobgood Charter School 1A Hobgood Charter School - 1A Atlantic 1A
5 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Mattamuskeet School 1A Mattamuskeet School - 1A Atlantic 1A
6 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Ocracoke School 1A Ocracoke School - 1A Atlantic 1A
7 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM North East Carolina Preparatory School 1A North East Carolina Preparatory School - 1A Eastern Carolina 1A
8 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM North Edgecombe High School 1A North Edgecombe High School - 1A Eastern Carolina 1A
9 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Rocky Mount Preparatory School 1A Rocky Mount Preparatory School - 1A Eastern Carolina 1A
10 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Sallie B. Howard High School 1A Sallie B. Howard High School - 1A Eastern Carolina 1A
11 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Washington County High School 1A Washington County High School - 1A Eastern Carolina 1A
12 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Wilson Preparatory Academy 1A Wilson Preparatory Academy - 1A Eastern Carolina 1A
13 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Ascend Leadership Academy 1A Ascend Leadership Academy - 1A Central Tar Heel 1A
14 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Central Carolina Academy 1A Central Carolina Academy - 1A Central Tar Heel 1A
15 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Chatham Charter School 1A Chatham Charter School - 1A Central Tar Heel 1A
16 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Clover Garden School 1A Clover Garden School - 1A Central Tar Heel 1A
17 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM River Mill Academy 1A River Mill Academy - 1A Central Tar Heel 1A
18 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Southern Wake Academy 1A Southern Wake Academy - 1A Central Tar Heel 1A
19 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Woods Charter School 1A Woods Charter School - 1A Central Tar Heel 1A
20 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Eastern NC School for the Deaf 1A Eastern NC School for the Deaf - 1A Independent 1A
21 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM North Carolina School for the Deaf 1A North Carolina School for the Deaf - 1A Independent 1A
22 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Jones Senior High School 1A Jones Senior High School - 1A Coastal Plains 1A/2A
23 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Northside High School (Pinetown) 1A Northside High School (Pinetown) - 1A Coastal Plains 1A/2A
24 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM East Carteret High School 2A East Carteret High School - 2A Coastal Plains 1A/2A
25 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Lejeune High School 2A Lejeune High School - 2A Coastal Plains 1A/2A
26 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Pamlico County High School 2A Pamlico County High School - 2A Coastal Plains 1A/2A
27 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Southside High School 2A Southside High School - 2A Coastal Plains 1A/2A
28 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM East Columbus Junior-Senior High School 1A East Columbus Junior-Senior High School - 1A Carolina 1A/2A
29 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM East Bladen High School 2A East Bladen High School - 2A Carolina 1A/2A
30 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Hobbton High School 2A Hobbton High School - 2A Carolina 1A/2A
31 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Lakewood High School 2A Lakewood High School - 2A Carolina 1A/2A
32 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM North Duplin Junior-Senior High School 2A North Duplin Junior-Senior High School - 2A Carolina 1A/2A
33 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Union High School 2A Union High School - 2A Carolina 1A/2A
34 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM West Columbus High School 2A West Columbus High School - 2A Carolina 1A/2A
35 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM KIPP Pride High 1A KIPP Pride High - 1A Roanoke River 1A/2A
36 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Southeast Collegiate Prep Academy 1A Southeast Collegiate Prep Academy - 1A Roanoke River 1A/2A
37 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Weldon STEM High School Career Academies 1A Weldon STEM High School Career Academies - 1A Roanoke River 1A/2A
38 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Northampton County High School 2A Northampton County High School - 2A Roanoke River 1A/2A
39 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Northwest Halifax Collegiate and Technical Academy 2A Northwest Halifax Collegiate and Technical Academy - 2A Roanoke River 1A/2A
40 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Warren County High School 2A Warren County High School - 2A Roanoke River 1A/2A
41 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Discovery Charter 1A Discovery Charter - 1A Triangle North 1A/2A
42 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Excelsior Classical Academy 1A Excelsior Classical Academy - 1A Triangle North 1A/2A
43 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Falls Lake Academy 1A Falls Lake Academy - 1A Triangle North 1A/2A
44 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Oxford Preparatory School 1A Oxford Preparatory School - 1A Triangle North 1A/2A
45 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Vance Charter School 1A Vance Charter School - 1A Triangle North 1A/2A
46 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Eno River Academy 2A Eno River Academy - 2A Triangle North 1A/2A
47 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Henderson Collegiate 2A Henderson Collegiate - 2A Triangle North 1A/2A
48 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM Chatham Central High School 1A Chatham Central High School - 1A Greater Triad 1A/2A
49 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM North Stokes High School 1A North Stokes High School - 1A Greater Triad 1A/2A
50 jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM jkidd 19/03/2025 03:45 PM South Davidson Middle and High School 1A South Davidson Middle and High School - 1A Greater Triad 1A/2A