IHSAA Conference-Independent Schools explained

The schools listed below are members of the Indiana High School Athletic Association and are not members of a conference. Of these, several were at one time members of a conference but became independent because of budget and travel concerns. However, some of them, mostly private schools, are also independent in order to better prepare for the state tournament, a practice that the IHSAA has begun to crack down on in recent years.

Indiana's Class System

Indiana's classes are determined by skill level, broken into categories of roughly equal skill depending on the sport. The 2011-12 school year marks a change in the classification period, as schools are reclassified in all class sports biennially instead of quadrennially.

It is also important to note that some schools (mostly private) are placed in classes higher than their enrollment. This is due to a new IHSAA rule that took effect for the 2012-13 year that dictates that a school that has made two appearances at the state championships in a row, win or lose, is automatically moved up into the next class.These 58 Schools are independent members of the IHSAA.

SchoolCityMascotColorsEnrollmentIHSAA
Class
IHSAA
Football Class
County
21st Century Charter
School of Gary
GaryCougars266A--45
Lake
Bowman
Academy
GaryEagles447AAAA45
Lake
CarmelCarmelGreyhounds5327AAAAAAAAAA29
Hamilton
Center GroveGreenwoodTrojans2754AAAAAAAAAA41
Johnson
Christian Academy
of Indiana
New AlbanyWarriors241A--22
Floyd
ClarksvilleClarksvilleGenerals464AAAA10
Clark
Culver
Military
CulverEagles812AAAAAAA50
Marshall
Dugger UnionDuggerBulldogs194A--77
Sullivan
Evansville
Day School
EvansvilleEagles81A--82
Vanderburgh
Fort Wayne
Blackhawk
Fort WayneBraves241AA02
Allen
Fort Wayne
Canterbury
Fort WayneCavaliers369AA--02
Allen
Hammond
Science & Tech
HammondHawks295A--45
Lake
HarrisonWest LafayetteRaiders2,1696A4A79
Tippecanoe
Indiana School
for the Blind
IndianapolisRockets57A--49
Marion
Indiana School
for the Deaf
IndianapolisOrioles115AA49
Marion
Indianapolis
Cathedral
Indianapolis Fighting Irish1,184AAAAAAAAAA49
Marion
KIPP Indy LegacyIndianapolisThe Pride331A--49
Marion
Lakewood Park
Christian
AuburnPanthers186A--17
DeKalb
LapelLapelBulldogs460AAAA48
Madison
Lighthouse CPAGaryLions560AA--45
Lake
MadisonMadisonCougars863AAAAAAA39
Jefferson
Marquette CatholicMichigan CityBlazers222A--46
LaPorte
McCutcheonLafayetteMavericks1,7864A5A79
Tippecanoe
MTI School of
Knowledge
IndianapolisPhoenix113A--49
Marion
Oldenburg
Academy
OldenburgTwisters210AA24
Franklin
ProvidenceClarksvillePioneers437AAAA10
Clark
Providence
Cristo Rey
IndianapolisWolves271A--49
Marion
Purdue Poly
Broad Ripple
IndianapolisLynx278A--49
Marion
Rock Creek
Academy
SellersburgLions137AA10
Clark
SignatureEvansvillePenguins361AA--82
Vanderburgh
Smith AcademyFort WayneFighting 54th32A--02
Allen
Traders Point
Christian
WhitestownKnights52A--06
Boone
Trinity LutheranSeymourCougars142AA36
Jackson

Defunct Independent Schools

These are schools that were independent at the time of their closing.This list is incomplete.

SchoolCityMascotColorsCountyYear ClosedReason for Closing
Muncie
Southside
MuncieRebels18
Delaware
2014consolidated
into Muncie Central
New
Harmony
New HarmonyRappites65
Posey
2012consolidated
into North Posey

Independent Football Members

These schools are independent in football, but play other sports within a conference.

School City MascotColors EnrollmentIHSAA
Football Class
Primary
Conference
County
Anderson PrepAndersonJets309APioneer48
Madison
TecumsehLynnvilleBraves261APocket
Athletic
87
Warrick

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