IHSAA Conference-Independent Schools


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 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.
SchoolCityMascotColorsEnrollment
2023–24
IHSAA
Class
IHSAA
Football Class
County
21st Century AcademyGaryCougars 408A--45
Lake
Believe Circle CityIndianapolisCyclones 80A--49
Marion
Bowman
Academy
GaryEagles 277AAAA45
Lake
CarmelCarmelGreyhounds 5200AAAAAAAAAA29
Hamilton
Center GroveGreenwoodTrojans 2893AAAAAAAAAA41
Johnson
Christian Academy
of Indiana
New AlbanyWarriors 295A--22
Floyd
ClarksvilleClarksvilleGenerals 385AAAA10
Clark
Culver
Academies
CulverEagles 832AAAAAAA50
Marshall
Dugger UnionDuggerBulldogs 200A--77
Sullivan
Evansville ChristianEvansvilleEagles 235A--82
Vanderburgh
Evansville
Day School
EvansvilleEagles 81A82
Vanderburgh
Fort Wayne
Blackhawk
Fort WayneBraves 270AA02
Allen
GEO Next GenerationIndianapolisEagles 204A--49
Marion
Hammond
Science & Tech
HammondHawks 291A--45
Lake
Indiana School
for the Blind
IndianapolisRockets 57A--49
Marion
Indiana School
for the Deaf
IndianapolisOrioles 81AA49
Marion
Indianapolis
Cathedral
IndianapolisFighting Irish 1,172AAAAAAAAAA49
Marion
Indianapolis
Rooted School
IndianapolisRoyals 105A--49
Marion
KIPP Indy LegacyIndianapolisThe Pride 331A--49
Marion
Lakewood Park
Christian
AuburnPanthers 181A--17
DeKalb
LapelLapelBulldogs 466AAAA48
Madison
Lighthouse CPAGaryLions 560AA--45
Lake
MadisonMadisonCubs 760AAAAAAA39
Jefferson
Marquette CatholicMichigan CityBlazers 223A--46
LaPorte
MTI School of
Knowledge
IndianapolisPhoenix 113A--49
Marion
Oldenburg
Academy
OldenburgTwisters 151AA24
Franklin
ProvidenceClarksvillePioneers 371AAAA10
Clark
Providence
Cristo Rey
IndianapolisWolves 237A--49
Marion
Purdue Polytechnic
Broad Ripple
IndianapolisLynx 262A--49
Marion
Rock Creek
Academy
SellersburgLions 177AA10
Clark
St. Thomas MoreSouth BendGriffins 47A--10
St. Joseph
SignatureEvansvillePenguins 361AA--82
Vanderburgh
Smith AcademyFort WayneFighting 54th 32A--02
Allen
Traders Point
Christian
WhitestownKnights 54A--06
Boone
Trinity LutheranSeymourCougars 166AA36
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
MuncieRebels 18
Delaware
2014consolidated
into Muncie Central
New
Harmony
New HarmonyRappites 65
Posey
2012consolidated
into North Posey

Independent football members

These schools are independent in football, but play other sports within a conference.
SchoolCityMascotColorsEnrollmentIHSAA
Football Class
Primary
Conference
County
Anderson PrepAndersonJets 309APioneer48
Madison
Indianapolis ShortridgeIndianapolisBlue Devils 1,159AAAAPioneer
Linton-StocktonLintonMiners 387AA
TecumsehLynnvilleBraves 286APocket

Resources

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