Athletics

Other activities

• Cheerleading
• Dance & Drill Team
• Drama
• Forensics
• Debate & Student Congress
• Music
• 4H

Opt-up

Member schools may choose to move up to a higher classification tier to compete against schools with larger enrollments. The WIAA gives members two opportunities to "opt-up" for higher classification: 1) prior to the enrollment count that will inform the enrollment ranges for classification when evaluated and finalized by the Executive Board; and 2) a two-week period after the classification enrollment ranges have been finalized.^[10]

Schools that opt-up during the first opportunity are divided into equal classifications after the classification enrollment ranges have been finalized. Schools that elect to opt-up during the second opportunity must be approved by the board of their governing District and the WIAA Executive Board.^[10]

Northwest District One

The Northwest Interscholastic Activities Association^[12] governs WIAA District 1,^[11] which encompasses the five counties in the northwest section of Washington State: Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, San Juan, and Island. As of February 2011, Northwest District 1 includes seven leagues with member schools from all classifications and a single independent member school.^[13] The Western High School Athletic Conference regulates two 4A classification leagues and one 3A classification league. Its membership consists of high schools in the public school districts of Arlington, Edmonds, Everett, Lake Stevens, Marysville, Monroe, Mukilteo, Oak Harbor, Shoreline, Snohomish, and Stanwood.^[14] The North Sound Conference regulates member schools residing in the 1A classification. Its membership consists of high schools in Snohomish, Island and north King counties, in and near Everett.^[15] The Northwest Conference regulates member schools in 3A, 2A and 1A classifications. Its membership consists of high schools in western Whatcom, Skagit and counties, in and near Bellingham and Mount Vernon.^[16] The Northwest 2B/1B League regulates member schools in 2B and 1B classifications. Its membership consists of high schools in San Juan, Skagit, Island and Snohomish counties. The Northwest B League regulates member schools in 1B classification. Its membership consists of small public and private high schools in San Juan, Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties.^[17]

SeaKing District Two

The SeaKing District encompasses mostly schools in King County. The schools are in all classification sizes and separated into five leagues by size and location. A majority of the state's 3A schools are located in this district and the West Central District 3. The Center School, International Community School, International School, and Secondary BOC^[19] are independents in this District.

West Central District Three

The WCD encompasses schools in Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Pierce, Mason, Thurston, and King counties of the northern Peninsula and southern Puget Sound areas of Washington. The district has the most 4A and 3A schools combined in the state, with 26 and 16 respectively. It includes schools from all classification sizes, although most of the 2B schools in the region are members SeaTac league of SeaKing District two.

Southwest Washington District Four

The Southwest District, as its name suggests, includes schools south of the Olympic Mountains and west of the Cascade Range. The Washington School for the Blind (1B), Three Rivers Christian (1B), King's Way Christian (1B), Maple Lane High School (1A), and Vancouver School of Arts and Academics (1A) are independents.^[20]

Yakima Valley District Five

The Yakima Valley District includes schools in south central Washington. The schools are divided into five leagues.

North Central District Six

Northeast District Seven

Greater Spokane/Mid-Columbia District Eight

The Greater Spokane League was formed in 1925 as the Spokane City League and became the GSL in 1976.^[22] District 8 was created to separate the larger schools (then AAA) from the smaller schools in District 7. Schools that dropped to 2A therefore leave the GSL and District 8, to the Great Northern League (GNL, formerly Frontier League) in District 7. Consequently, schools have gone through great lengths to remain in the league and maintain historic rivalries. Gonzaga Prep opts-up to 4A, despite having 2A enrollment numbers.^[23][24] For the 2020–21 school year, Cheney moved up to 3A; with only four teams left in the GNL, that league was folded and absorbed into a new GSL 2A division.^[25]

Southeast District Nine