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Football Enrollment

Snetsrak61

Well-Known Member
Aug 16, 2008
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Its been tossed around before, but I don't think I've seen anyone take a formal attempt at laying out what it would look like.

Below posts will be a look at a Football Enrollment methodology.

Basic Method;
1. Your Football enrollment is your opponents enrollment averaged, with the top and bottom enrollment eliminated
2. I excluded out of state opponents
3. This was a judgement call, but I multiplied all private school enrollment figures. I think if a modernized FE were to be implemented this would need to be looked at. It didn't have huge impact if I did it on unmultiplied. For the private schools, an average change of 192 to the football enrollment number. Seemed to impact the smaller private schools more than the CCL/ESCC guys.

Results by class will be in the post below. Here are the cutoffs though compared to the current enrollment cutoffs in 2024


ClassCurrent RangeFE Range
1A(0 - 292.5)(220 - 325)
2A(296.5 - 403.5)(325 - 436)
3A(406.5 - 542.5)(439 - 580)
4A(553 - 844)(581 - 997)
5A(848 - 1,272.5),(1,017 - 1,373)
6A(1,723 - 1,802)(1,377 - 1,666)
7A(1,604 - 2,156)(1,666 - 2,173)
8A(2,190 +)(2,190 +)

Where would the 16 state finalists have been? So we'd have a least 4 new finalists. And potentially more depending how brackets were to shake out. YES, private schools have inflated. Not to be unexpected, but I'll point out that at least a couple traditional power public school programs / recent state finalists have as well: Rochester 5A, Cary Grove 7A, Prairie Ridge 7A, Kankakee 7A (probably more, but those were a few I noticed)
1A - Lena (L.-Winslow)
2A - Maroa (M.-Forsyth)
3A - Monticello
4A - Palos Heights (Chicago Christian)
4A - Mt. Zion
5A - Belleville (Althoff Catholic)
6A - LaGrange Park (Nazareth Academy)
6A - Chicago (DePaul)
6A - Lombard (Montini)
7A - Wilmette (Loyola Academy)
7A - Joliet (Catholic Academy)
7A - Chicago (Mt. Carmel)
7A - Geneva
7A - Batavia
8A - East St. Louis (Sr.)
8A - Elmhurst (York)

Classes to follow;
 
Last edited:
Class 1A
(we're seeding everyone 1-32, obviously)
1 - LeRoy vs. 32 - Moweaqua (Central A & M)
2 - Lena (L.-Winslow) vs. 31 -Nokomis
3 - Sullivan [Sullivan-Okaw Valley Coop] vs. 30 - Catlin (Salt Fork)
4 - Bismarck (B.-Henning-Rossville-Alvin) vs. 29 - Fithian (Oakwood)
5 - Pecatonica [Du-Pec Coop] vs. 28 - Galena (H.S.)
6 - Hardin (Calhoun) [Coop] vs. 27 - Jacksonville (Routt) [Coop]
7 - Camp Point (Central) vs. 26 - Mt. Sterling (Brown County)
8 - Arthur (A.-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond) vs. 25 - Tuscola
9 - Gibson City (Melvin-Sibley) vs. 24 - Bridgeport (Red Hill)
10 - Momence vs. 23 - Stockton
11 - Rushville (R.-Industry) vs. 22 - Niantic (Sangamon Valley) [Coop]
12 - Toulon (Stark County) vs. 21 - Westville
13 - Lanark (Eastland) [Eastland-Pearl City Coop] vs. 20 - Carrollton
14 - Greenfield [G.-Northwestern Coop] vs. 19 - Winchester [West Central Coop]
15 - Toledo (Cumberland) vs. 18 - Kewanee (Wethersfield) [Annawan-Wethersfield Coop]
16 - Warrensburg (W.-Latham) vs. 17 - Princeville
 
2A
1 - Farmington vs. 32 - Dupo
2 - Johnston City vs. 31 -Mackinaw (Deer Creek)
3 - Williamsville vs. 30 - Kewanee (H.S.)
4 - Downs (Tri-Valley) vs. 29 - Red Bud
5 - Maroa (M.-Forsyth) vs. 28 - Erie [E.-Prophetstown Coop]
6 - Greenville vs. 27 - Carlinville
7 - Elmwood [E.-Brimfield Coop] vs. 26 - Clifton (Central)
8 - Casey (Westfield) vs. 25 - Ottawa (Marquette)
9 - Chester vs. 24 - Dwight [Dwight/Gardner-So. Wilmington Coop]
10 - Eureka vs. 23 - Stanford (Olympia)
11 - Seneca vs. 22 - Fairfield
12 - Sterling (Newman Central Catholic) vs. 21 - Flora
13 - Taylor Ridge (Rockridge) vs. 20 - Carthage (Illini West)
14 - Sesser (Valier) [Coop] vs. 19 - Shelbyville
15 - Carmi (White County) vs. 18 - El Paso (Gridley)
16 - New Berlin [Coop] vs. 17 - Macomb
 
3A
1 - Byron vs. 32 - West Frankfort (Frankfort)
2 - St. Joseph (Ogden) vs. 31 -Aurora (Christian)
3 - Wilmington vs. 30 - Mt. Carmel
4 - Olney (Richland County) vs. 29 - Fairbury (Prairie Central)
5 - Dixon (H.S.) vs. 28 - Stillman Valley
6 - Princeton vs. 27 - Bloomington (Central Catholic)
7 - Monmouth (M.-Roseville) vs. 26 - Genoa (G.-Kingston)
8 - Nashville vs. 25 - Oregon
9 - West Chicago (Wheaton Academy) vs. 24 - Virden (North Mac)
10 - Pana (H.S.) vs. 23 - Rockford (Lutheran)
11 - Vandalia vs. 22 - Paxton (Buckley-Loda)
12 - Chicago (Kennedy) vs. 21 - DuQuoin (H.S.)
13 - Carterville vs. 20 - Peotone
14 - Monticello vs. 19 - Benton
15 - Manteno vs. 18 - Tolono (Unity)
16 - Coal City vs. 17 - Murphysboro
 
4A
(rest to come tomorrow)
1 - Chicago (Sullivan) vs. 32 - Chicago (Noble/Bulls)
2 - Breese (Central) vs. 31 -Harrisburg
3 - Chicago (South Shore) vs. 30 - Chicago (Senn)
4 - Waterloo (H.S.) vs. 29 - Decatur (St. Teresa)
5 - Chicago (Marshall) [Coop] vs. 28 - Chicago (Goode)
6 - Palos Heights (Chicago Christian) vs. 27 - Taylorville
7 - Chicago (North Lawndale Charter) vs. 26 - Marengo
8 - Richmond (R.-Burton) vs. 25 - Chicago (C. Hope Academy)
9 - Mahomet (Seymour) vs. 24 - Sandwich
10 - Chicago (Agricultural Science) vs. 23 - Chicago (Curie)
11 - Chicago (Simeon) vs. 22 - Jacksonville (H.S.)
12 - Woodstock (North) vs. 21 - Mt. Zion
13 - Roxana vs. 20 - Chicago (Clemente)
14 - Highland vs. 19 - Johnsburg
15 - Chicago (Corliss) [Coop] vs. 18 - Chicago (Prosser)
16 - Columbia vs. 17 - Chicago (Mather)
 
Class 5A

1 - Sycamore (H.S.) vs. 32 - Chicago (Kenwood)
2 - Belleville (Althoff Catholic) vs. 31 -Aurora (Marmion Academy)
3 - Quincy (Notre Dame) vs. 30 - Springfield (H.S.)
4 - Normal (Community) vs. 29 - Chicago (Perspectives/Leadership) [Coop]
5 - Rochelle vs. 28 - Springfield (Sacred Heart-Griffin)
6 - Chicago (Lincoln Park) vs. 27 - Collinsville
7 - Rochester vs. 26 - Chicago (Westinghouse College Prep)
8 - Chatham (Glenwood) vs. 25 - Maple Park (Kaneland)
9 - Bloomington (H.S.) vs. 24 - Morris
10 - Peoria (H.S.) vs. 23 - Marion (H.S.)
11 - Washington vs. 22 - Dunlap
12 - Cahokia (H.S.) vs. 21 - Chicago (King)
13 - Pekin vs. 20 - Calumet City (Thornton Fractional North)
14 - Wauconda vs. 19 - Metamora
15 - Troy (Triad) vs. 18 - Centralia (H.S.)
16 - Chicago (Dyett) vs. 17 - Normal (University)
 
I noted a few 6A teams have dropped down to 5A due to their football enrollment being less than their actual enrollment.
 
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I noted a few 6A teams have dropped down to 5A due to their football enrollment being less than their actual enrollment.
I'll post a full list summarizing who changed classes at the end (for qualifiers and non qualifiers alike). Gotta do a little more data manipulation on that though. Maybe not wrap up til tomorrow.
 
I always liked FE since it placed teams in the class representative of their schedule.
It was the only redeeming characteristic of districts proposal too. You'd qualify for playoff classification based on the character of the schools you play.

So yea, football enrollment helps nudge that direction. And it's very easy to administer and doesn't come with all the negatives of districts. With a little more complexity I think you could additionally do some conference multiplying (for ESCC/CCL but also some of the stronger/weaker public conferences). Could also make seeding follow more of a strength of schedule logic in a fairly impartial way too.
 
Its been tossed around before, but I don't think I've seen anyone take a formal attempt at laying out what it would look like.

Below posts will be a look at a Football Enrollment methodology.

Basic Method;
1. Your Football enrollment is your opponents enrollment averaged, with the top and bottom enrollment eliminated
2. I excluded out of state opponents
3. This was a judgement call, but I multiplied all private school enrollment figures. I think if a modernized FE were to be implemented this would need to be looked at. It didn't have huge impact if I did it on unmultiplied. For the private schools, an average change of 192 to the football enrollment number. Seemed to impact the smaller private schools more than the CCL/ESCC guys.

Results by class will be in the post below. Here are the cutoffs though compared to the current enrollment cutoffs in 2024


ClassCurrent RangeFE Range
1A(0 - 292.5)(220 - 325)
2A(296.5 - 403.5)(325 - 436)
3A(406.5 - 542.5)(439 - 580)
4A(553 - 844)(581 - 997)
5A(848 - 1,272.5),(1,017 - 1,373)
6A(1,723 - 1,802)(1,377 - 1,666)
7A(1,604 - 2,156)(1,666 - 2,173)
8A(2,190 +)(2,190 +)

Where would the 16 state finalists have been? So we'd have a least 4 new finalists. And potentially more depending how brackets were to shake out. YES, private schools have inflated. Not to be unexpected, but I'll point out that at least a couple traditional power public school programs / recent state finalists have as well: Rochester 5A, Cary Grove 7A, Prairie Ridge 7A, Kankakee 7A (probably more, but those were a few I noticed)
1A - Lena (L.-Winslow)
2A - Maroa (M.-Forsyth)
3A - Monticello
4A - Palos Heights (Chicago Christian)
4A - Mt. Zion
5A - Belleville (Althoff Catholic)
6A - LaGrange Park (Nazareth Academy)
6A - Chicago (DePaul)
6A - Lombard (Montini)
7A - Wilmette (Loyola Academy)
7A - Joliet (Catholic Academy)
7A - Chicago (Mt. Carmel)
7A - Geneva
7A - Batavia
8A - East St. Louis (Sr.)
8A - Elmhurst (York)

Classes to follow;
I never liked FBE when we had it, and I still don't.

You are going to get people foaming at the mouth when they see FBE puts Loyola in 7A. Look at Althoff and Chicago Christian above. It puts Althoff FOUR classes above their actual enrollment and Chicago Christian two classes. Look at ESL in 8A. Think that goofy conference of theirs is gonna be happy with that?

Lastly, it wreaks havoc on non-conference game scheduling for larger schools.
 
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I never liked FBE when we had it, and I still don't.

You are going to get people foaming at the mouth when they see FBE puts Loyola in 7A. Look at Althoff and Chicago Christian above. It puts Althoff FOUR classes above their actual enrollment and Chicago Christian two classes. Look at ESL in 8A. Think that goofy conference of theirs is gonna be happy with that?

Lastly, it wreaks havoc on non-conference game scheduling for larger schools.
I'd expect Loyola would still be allowed to opt up and would.

GOOD that ESL can stick it to their conference mates who are powerless to stop them.

CCL/ESCC might need a carve out to handle differently. Not sure any other conference spans so many classes so nearly everyone just gets pulled to 6A/7A as a result... Could be tweaked, I'm sure.

Obviously no system is perfect. There's fair criticisms for FE enrollment and I think the process for extreme outliers could be looked at. Like perhaps actual enrollmemt to FE could be capped at a % +/- or number of classes climbed/descended.

All that said I think it would be vastly preferable to straight enrollment.
 
would it be easy to run the same numbers removing the highest and lowest enrollment opponent? i'd be interested to see how much one big outlier could be affecting certain schools.
 
I never liked FBE when we had it, and I still don't.

You are going to get people foaming at the mouth when they see FBE puts Loyola in 7A. Look at Althoff and Chicago Christian above. It puts Althoff FOUR classes above their actual enrollment and Chicago Christian two classes. Look at ESL in 8A. Think that goofy conference of theirs is gonna be happy with that?

Lastly, it wreaks havoc on non-conference game scheduling for larger schools.
When FBE was first being discussed it was called the Althoff rule. As Coach Schott always said, we play the best we can. No one seems to mind when we go 5-4 and miss the playoffs.
 
6A
1 - Chicago (Whitney Young) vs. 32 - Summit (Argo)
2 - Quincy (Sr.) vs. 31 -Geneseo
3 - Chicago (Marist) vs. 30 - Tinley Park (H.S.)
4 - Lombard (Glenbard East) vs. 29 - Chicago (Payton)
5 - Rockton (Hononegah) vs. 28 - Sterling (H.S.)
6 - Belvidere (North) vs. 27 - Huntley
7 - LaGrange Park (Nazareth Academy) vs. 26 - Freeport (H.S.)
8 - Wheaton (St. Francis) vs. 25 - Peoria (Notre Dame)
9 - Chicago (St. Rita) vs. 24 - Country Club Hills (Hillcrest)
10 - Lombard (Montini) vs. 23 - Burbank (St. Laurence)
11 - Normal (Community West) vs. 22 - Oak Forest
12 - Machesney Park (Harlem) vs. 21 - Fox Lake (Grant)
13 - Moline (H.S.) vs. 20 - Rockford (Guilford)
14 - Antioch vs. 19 - Chicago (DePaul)
15 - Grayslake (North) vs. 18 - Lisle (Benet Academy)
16 - Palos Heights (Shepard) vs. 17 - Lemont (H.S.)
 
7A
1 - Cary (Grove) vs. 32 - Skokie (Niles West)
2 - St. Charles (North) vs. 31 -Joliet (West)
3 - Oak Lawn (Richards) vs. 30 - Rolling Meadows
4 - Batavia vs. 29 - Rockford (Boylan Catholic)
5 - Geneva vs. 28 - Chicago (Amundsen)
6 - Kankakee (Sr.) vs. 27 - Wheaton (Warrenville South)
7 - Palatine (Fremd) vs. 26 - Bensenville (Fenton)
8 - Chicago (Morgan Park) vs. 25 - West Chicago (H.S.)
9 - Des Plaines (Maine West) vs. 24 - Glen Ellyn (Glenbard South)
10 - Wilmette (Loyola Academy) vs. 23 - Hoffman Estates (H.S.)
11 - Oak Park (Fenwick) vs. 22 - Crete (Monee)
12 - Algonquin (Jacobs) vs. 21 - Belleville (East)
13 - Burlington (Central) vs. 20 - Chicago (Brother Rice)
14 - Crystal Lake (Prairie Ridge) vs. 19 - Edwardsville (H.S.)
15 - Chicago (Taft) vs. 18 - Joliet (Catholic Academy)
16 - Bradley (B.-Bourbonnais) vs. 17 - Chicago (Mt. Carmel)
 
8A
1 - Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East) vs. 32 - Aurora (Waubonsie Valley)
2 - LaGrange (Lyons) vs. 31 -Deerfield (H.S.)
3 - Oswego (H.S.) vs. 30 - Glenview (Glenbrook South)
4 - Aurora (West Aurora) vs. 29 - Gurnee (Warren)
5 - Palatine (H.S.) vs. 28 - Schaumburg (H.S.)
6 - Naperville (Central) vs. 27 - Orland Park (Sandburg)
7 - East St. Louis (Sr.) vs. 26 - Villa Park (Willowbrook)
8 - Libertyville vs. 25 - Tinley Park (Andrew)
9 - Lincolnshire (Stevenson) vs. 24 - New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central)
10 - Downers Grove (North) vs. 23 - South Elgin
11 - Barrington vs. 22 - Arlington Heights (Hersey)
12 - Naperville (North) vs. 21 - Park Ridge (Maine South)
13 - Elmhurst (York) vs. 20 - New Lenox (Lincoln-Way West)
14 - Mt. Prospect (Prospect) vs. 19 - Plainfield (South)
15 - Downers Grove (South) vs. 18 - Addison (A. Trail)
16 - Lake Forest (H.S.) vs. 17 - Minooka
 
Estimate for Non-playoff qualifiers.
NOTE: All privates are multiplied. If they look off that is likely why. It is not adjusted for SF/opt ups.

Part 1 of 4
SchoolFE AvgFE Class
Beardstown226.791A
Mendon (Unity) [Unity-Payson Coop]234.571A
Pleasant Hill [Coop]236.361A
White Hall (North Greene)245.071A
Havana247.361A
Concord (Triopia) [Coop]248.211A
Oneida (ROWVA) [Coop]248.641A
Abingdon (A.-Avon)249.501A
Monmouth (United)252.791A
Argenta (A.-Oreana)258.211A
Oakland [Tri-County Coop]260.431A
Cerro Gordo [C.G.-Bement Coop]263.141A
Arcola264.641A
Minonk (Fieldcrest)264.861A
Macon (Meridian)265.291A
Heyworth266.001A
Fisher266.791A
Villa Grove267.211A
Astoria [South Fulton Coop]270.141A
Forreston273.751A
Fulton (H.S.)274.931A
Dakota289.641A
Morrison292.141A
Sparta [Coop]310.751A
Hoopeston (H. Area) [Coop]315.071A
Georgetown (Ridge Farm) [Coop]317.211A
Westmont320.241A
Christopher [C.-Zeigler-Royalton Coop]322.071A
Gilman (Iroquois West)323.571A
Watseka324.211A
Trenton (Wesclin)330.712A
Lewistown [Coop]333.712A
Hamilton [West Hancock Coop]340.212A
Knoxville340.642A
McLeansboro (Hamilton County)341.332A
Eldorado343.752A
Manlius (Bureau Valley)345.712A
Carlyle346.002A
Colfax (Ridgeview) [Ridgeview-Lexington Coop]347.292A
Albion (Edwards County)350.922A
Tremont355.862A
Madison384.182A
Clinton384.362A
Aurora (Central Catholic)393.412A
Petersburg (PORTA) [Coop]395.072A
Chicago (Bogan)395.142A
Pleasant Plains401.292A
Auburn402.712A
Aledo (Mercer County)409.792A
Athens415.642A
Staunton [Coop]417.142A
Newton418.642A
Litchfield [Coop]421.502A
Marshall421.502A
Port Byron (Riverdale)425.212A
Orion426.292A
Pittsfield427.502A
Hillsboro428.932A
Peru (St. Bede)430.412A
Lawrenceville431.572A
Spring Valley (Hall) [Coop]433.862A
Piasa (Southwestern)438.002A
 
Part 2 of 4 non-qualifier estimates
SchoolFE AvgFE Class
Gillespie441.293A
Riverton445.003A
Mendota448.293A
Sherrard451.933A
Paris458.923A
Melrose Park (Walther Christian)459.383A
Rock Falls461.263A
Chicago (Englewood STEM)472.433A
Poplar Grove (North Boone)475.193A
Pinckneyville477.073A
Rockford (Christian)482.933A
Winnebago485.973A
Chicago (Harlan)495.753A
Kankakee (McNamara)496.503A
Chicago (Phoenix)499.643A
Robinson505.143A
Herscher513.913A
Anna (A.-Jonesboro) [Coop]514.293A
Chillicothe (Illinois Valley Central)514.473A
Chicago (Christ the King)531.543A
Chicago (Noble/UIC)532.073A
Metropolis (Massac County) [Coop]532.753A
Alton (Marquette)534.083A
Rantoul536.853A
Braidwood (Reed-Custer)537.713A
Lisle (Sr.)543.073A
Chicago (C. Military Academy-Bronzeville)544.793A
Pontiac547.063A
Elgin (St. Edward)565.253A
Woodstock (Marian)566.033A
Chicago (Collins) [Coop]567.073A
Herrin (H.S.)568.933A
Streator (Twp.)578.643A
Chicago (UCCS/Woodlawn)585.084A
Breese (Mater Dei)585.424A
Freeburg600.604A
Wood River (East Alton-W.R.)609.794A
Chicago (Kelly)629.794A
Chicago (Dunbar)634.674A
Salem642.434A
Harvard647.214A
Chicago (Bowen) [Coop]648.214A
Chicago (Richards)663.934A
Chicago (Noble/Rowe-Clark)664.334A
Chicago (CICS/Longwood)702.364A
Woodstock (H.S.)703.084A
Chicago (Fenger)703.794A
Chicago (Catalyst/Maria)708.004A
Chicago (Carver)714.294A
Chicago (Noble/Hansberry)731.714A
Effingham (H.S.)736.144A
Plano736.294A
Chicago (Julian)739.674A
Chicago (Little Village)753.714A
Chicago (Noble/Comer)766.574A
Chicago (Back of the Yards)773.144A
Charleston779.504A
Chicago (Noble/ITW Speer)782.214A
Chicago (Noble/Pritzker)791.644A
Chicago (Lake View)800.214A
Bethalto (Civic Memorial)805.214A
Chicago (Steinmetz)809.634A
Jerseyville (Jersey)810.934A
Chicago (Solorio Academy)821.864A
Chicago (Noble/Rauner)825.004A
Chicago (Washington)825.434A
Chicago (Orr)826.864A
Chicago (Noble/DRW Trading)828.004A
Mattoon834.144A
Chicago (Marine)837.294A
Chicago (North Grand)857.924A
Chicago (Noble/Golder)878.504A
Chicago (Uplift) [Coop]881.504A
Chicago (Schurz)885.794A
Chicago (C. Academy) [Coop]898.574A
Chicago (Noble/Muchin)900.144A
Springfield (Southeast)901.134A
Springfield (Lanphier)916.854A
Mascoutah926.574A
Decatur (MacArthur)928.224A
Chicago (Hubbard)928.644A
Chicago (Von Steuben)960.714A
Decatur (Eisenhower)964.294A
Lincoln966.504A
Chicago (Noble/Academy)979.074A
Chicago (C. Vocational)984.364A
Ottawa (Twp.)984.574A
Chicago (Lindblom)986.924A
 
Part 3 of 4 non-playoff qualifier estimates
SchoolFE AvgFE Class
Chicago (DuSable) [Coop]999.505A
Chicago (Urban Prep/Bronzeville) [Coop]1,012.255A
Canton1,028.215A
Chicago (Foreman)1,036.145A
Chicago (Gage Park)1,039.575A
Chicago (Crane)1,050.865A
Morton1,059.365A
Chicago (Hyde Park)1,064.445A
Bartonville (Limestone)1,093.005A
Chicago (Brooks)1,118.295A
East Peoria1,135.435A
Granite City1,139.645A
Carbondale (H.S.)1,152.005A
Peoria (Richwoods)1,203.975A
LaSalle (Peru)1,213.935A
Mt. Vernon (H.S.)1,244.585A
Champaign (Central)1,266.835A
Chicago (Noble/Johnson)1,273.935A
Arlington Heights (St. Viator)1,298.385A
Urbana (H.S.)1,314.575A
Peoria (Manual)1,324.255A
East Moline (United)1,325.255A
Galesburg (H.S.)1,336.215A
Chicago (Clark) [Coop]1,362.365A
Elmwood Park1,369.795A
Mundelein (Carmel)1,370.815A
Chicago (Leo)1,400.366A
Danville (H.S.)1,406.576A
Champaign (Centennial)1,421.866A
Niles (Notre Dame)1,429.266A
Lansing (Thornton Fractional South)1,437.506A
Lake Villa (Lakes)1,438.646A
Chicago Heights (Marian)1,440.706A
Grayslake (Central)1,454.426A
Round Lake1,455.506A
Midlothian (Bremen)1,468.366A
Dolton (Thornridge)1,509.716A
Chicago (De La Salle)1,512.196A
Chicago Heights (Bloom Twp.)1,516.926A
Richton Park (Rich Township)1,519.156A
North Chicago1,522.796A
Norridge (Ridgewood)1,539.146A
Evergreen Park1,541.296A
Rockford (Jefferson)1,555.186A
Elmhurst (IC Catholic)1,565.296A
Rockford (Auburn)1,565.406A
Blue Island (Eisenhower)1,583.146A
Rock Island (H.S.)1,591.216A
Rockford (East)1,602.046A
Burbank (Reavis)1,606.146A
Riverside (R.-Brookfield)1,641.796A
Chicago (St. Patrick)1,647.486A
Belvidere (H.S.)1,647.546A
Carpentersville (Dundee-Crown)1,664.716A
 
Part 4 of 4 non-playoff qualifier estimates.
SchoolFE AvgFE Class
Chicago (Lane)1,676.867A
McHenry1,708.797A
Chicago (Phillips)1,749.027A
Hampshire1,753.867A
Alton (Sr.)1,754.937A
Oak Lawn (Community)1,764.797A
Vernon Hills1,785.867A
Chicago (St. Ignatius)1,791.217A
Crystal Lake (Central)1,808.507A
Crystal Lake (South)1,827.217A
Wheeling1,866.437A
New Lenox (Providence Catholic)1,883.257A
Buffalo Grove1,914.297A
South Holland (Thornwood)1,915.507A
St. Charles (East)1,916.717A
O'Fallon (H.S.)1,938.907A
Skokie (Niles North)1,948.937A
Belleville (West)1,962.637A
Carol Stream (Glenbard North)1,998.077A
Park Ridge (Maine East)2,007.147A
Harvey (Thornton)2,013.507A
Elk Grove Village (E.G.)2,020.507A
Wheaton (North)2,037.217A
Roselle (Lake Park)2,042.577A
Highland Park2,044.297A
Franklin Park-Northlake (Leyden)2,082.797A
DeKalb2,097.577A
Aurora (East)2,135.867A
Berwyn-Cicero (Morton)2,140.437A
Palos Hills (Stagg)2,200.148A
Elgin (H.S.)2,237.218A
Darien (Hinsdale South)2,238.578A
Oak Park (River Forest)2,250.288A
Waukegan (H.S.)2,266.578A
Hoffman Estates (Conant)2,267.798A
Evanston (Twp.)2,313.008A
Joliet (Central)2,355.368A
Elgin (Larkin)2,356.928A
Oswego (East)2,394.298A
Winnetka (New Trier)2,402.148A
Streamwood2,403.508A
Hillside (Proviso West)2,435.008A
Bolingbrook2,457.578A
Mundelein (H.S.)2,477.078A
Lockport (Twp.)2,495.298A
Aurora (Metea Valley)2,516.718A
Romeoville (H.S.)2,523.368A
Bartlett2,593.008A
Plainfield (East)2,609.648A
Zion (Z.-Benton)2,679.868A
Plainfield (Central)2,688.578A
Naperville (Neuqua Valley)2,696.148A
Northbrook (Glenbrook North)2,725.578A
Maywood (Proviso East)2,809.298A
Flossmoor (Homewood-F.)2,822.648A
Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West)2,824.448A
Yorkville (H.S.)2,828.718A
Lake Zurich2,865.868A
Plainfield (North)2,891.298A
Hinsdale (Central)2,943.578A
 
All schools with a classification change. In total 270 schools were impacted. Most of these (191 were 1 class up/down). 79 moved 2 or more classes. And it would perhaps be worth putting some limits on how far up/down a school could go off actual enrollment.

Part 1 of 4
SchoolFE AvgFE ClassActual EnrollmentCurrent ClassChange Total
Beardstown226.79
1A​
422​
3A​
2
Mendon (Unity) [Unity-Payson Coop]234.57
1A​
332.5​
2A​
1
Niantic (Sangamon Valley) [Coop]243.14
1A​
359​
2A​
1
Sullivan [Sullivan-Okaw Valley Coop]243.14
1A​
487​
3A​
2
Arthur (A.-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond)251.14
1A​
303​
2A​
1
Warrensburg (W.-Latham)262.07
1A​
313​
2A​
1
Minonk (Fieldcrest)264.86
1A​
293.5​
2A​
1
Pecatonica [Du-Pec Coop]268.86
1A​
449.5​
3A​
2
Lanark (Eastland) [Eastland-Pearl City Coop]275.57
1A​
330​
2A​
1
Sparta [Coop]310.75
1A​
455​
3A​
2
Hoopeston (H. Area) [Coop]315.07
1A​
463​
3A​
2
Westville315.07
1A​
364​
2A​
1
Bismarck (B.-Henning-Rossville-Alvin)316.21
1A​
356​
2A​
1
Georgetown (Ridge Farm) [Coop]317.21
1A​
349​
2A​
1
Westmont320.24
1A​
377​
2A​
1
Christopher [C.-Zeigler-Royalton Coop]322.07
1A​
382.5​
2A​
1
Momence323.21
1A​
307​
2A​
1
Gilman (Iroquois West)323.57
1A​
304.5​
2A​
1
Watseka324.21
1A​
300​
2A​
1
Fithian (Oakwood)324.71
1A​
296.5​
2A​
1
Catlin (Salt Fork)325.29
2A​
246​
1A​
(1)
Clifton (Central)325.29
2A​
292.5​
1A​
(1)
Fairfield333.67
2A​
418.5​
3A​
1
Macomb346.71
2A​
584.5​
4A​
2
Albion (Edwards County)350.92
2A​
238.5​
1A​
(1)
Sesser (Valier) [Coop]350.92
2A​
279​
1A​
(1)
Dupo358.70
2A​
258​
1A​
(1)
Ottawa (Marquette)369.04
2A​
254.1​
1A​
(1)
Eureka373.13
2A​
445.5​
3A​
1
Madison384.18
2A​
155​
1A​
(1)
Clinton384.36
2A​
474.5​
3A​
1
Stanford (Olympia)391.79
2A​
500​
3A​
1
Aurora (Central Catholic)393.41
2A​
796.95​
4A​
2
Petersburg (PORTA) [Coop]395.07
2A​
445.5​
3A​
1
Chicago (Bogan)395.14
2A​
738.5​
4A​
2
New Berlin [Coop]395.21
2A​
444.5​
3A​
1
Williamsville401.43
2A​
468.5​
3A​
1
Kewanee (H.S.)416.25
2A​
567.5​
4A​
2
Greenville417.14
2A​
542​
3A​
1
Staunton [Coop]417.14
2A​
557.5​
4A​
2
Casey (Westfield)419.93
2A​
231.5​
1A​
(1)
Litchfield [Coop]421.50
2A​
511.5​
3A​
1
Hillsboro428.93
2A​
459.5​
3A​
1
Peru (St. Bede)430.41
2A​
457.875​
3A​
1
Spring Valley (Hall) [Coop]433.86
2A​
660.5​
4A​
2
Carlinville435.71
2A​
412​
3A​
1
 
All changes part 2 of 4
SchoolFE AvgFE ClassActual EnrollmentCurrent ClassChange Total
Pana (H.S.)439.29
3A​
387​
2A​
(1)
Vandalia440.14
3A​
381​
2A​
(1)
Gillespie441.29
3A​
351​
2A​
(1)
Virden (North Mac)441.29
3A​
373​
2A​
(1)
Riverton445.00
3A​
381.5​
2A​
(1)
Melrose Park (Walther Christian)459.38
3A​
337.425​
2A​
(1)
Dixon (H.S.)461.26
3A​
760.5​
4A​
1
Rock Falls461.26
3A​
576.5​
4A​
1
Chicago (Englewood STEM)472.43
3A​
1200.5​
5A​
2
Olney (Richland County)476.93
3A​
709.5​
4A​
1
Rockford (Christian)482.93
3A​
305​
2A​
(1)
Winnebago485.97
3A​
403.5​
2A​
(1)
Chicago (Harlan)495.75
3A​
295.5​
2A​
(1)
Chicago (Phoenix)499.64
3A​
559​
4A​
1
Anna (A.-Jonesboro) [Coop]514.29
3A​
575​
4A​
1
Chillicothe (Illinois Valley Central)514.47
3A​
614.5​
4A​
1
Aurora (Christian)516.50
3A​
200​
1A​
(2)
Chicago (Kennedy)530.57
3A​
1476​
6A​
3
Chicago (Christ the King)531.54
3A​
612.15​
4A​
1
Chicago (Noble/UIC)532.07
3A​
957​
5A​
2
Carterville532.64
3A​
633​
4A​
1
Metropolis (Massac County) [Coop]532.75
3A​
614.5​
4A​
1
West Chicago (Wheaton Academy)533.09
3A​
1104.675​
5A​
2
Alton (Marquette)534.08
3A​
693​
4A​
1
Manteno536.64
3A​
616.5​
4A​
1
Rantoul536.85
3A​
790​
4A​
1
Chicago (C. Military Academy-Bronzeville)544.79
3A​
260​
1A​
(2)
Pontiac547.06
3A​
677.5​
4A​
1
Coal City553.57
3A​
620​
4A​
1
Woodstock (Marian)566.03
3A​
641.85​
4A​
1
Chicago (Collins) [Coop]567.07
3A​
310.5​
2A​
(1)
Herrin (H.S.)568.93
3A​
670​
4A​
1
Murphysboro577.50
3A​
575.5​
4A​
1
Streator (Twp.)578.64
3A​
817​
4A​
1
Harrisburg580.71
3A​
553​
4A​
1
Chicago (UCCS/Woodlawn)585.08
4A​
380​
2A​
(2)
Palos Heights (Chicago Christian)589.80
4A​
521.4​
3A​
(1)
Decatur (St. Teresa)592.37
4A​
372.9​
2A​
(2)
Chicago (C. Hope Academy)608.54
4A​
452.925​
3A​
(1)
Chicago (Kelly)629.79
4A​
1745​
6A​
2
Chicago (Dunbar)634.67
4A​
449.5​
3A​
(1)
Chicago (Bowen) [Coop]648.21
4A​
444​
3A​
(1)
Roxana655.50
4A​
520​
3A​
(1)
 
All changes part 3 of 4
SchoolFE AvgFE ClassActual EnrollmentCurrent ClassChange Total
Chicago (Richards)663.93
4A​
233.5​
1A​
(3)
Chicago (Noble/Rowe-Clark)664.33
4A​
386.5​
2A​
(2)
Chicago (CICS/Longwood)702.36
4A​
388​
2A​
(2)
Woodstock (H.S.)703.08
4A​
1017.5​
5A​
1
Chicago (Fenger)703.79
4A​
260​
1A​
(3)
Chicago (Carver)714.29
4A​
421​
3A​
(1)
Chicago (Noble/Hansberry)731.71
4A​
492.5​
3A​
(1)
Chicago (Julian)739.67
4A​
389​
2A​
(2)
Chicago (Little Village)753.71
4A​
1278​
6A​
2
Chicago (Marshall) [Coop]761.79
4A​
418.5​
3A​
(1)
Woodstock (North)762.71
4A​
936​
5A​
1
Chicago (Back of the Yards)773.14
4A​
1063.5​
5A​
1
Chicago (Senn)775.29
4A​
1533.5​
6A​
2
Chicago (Noble/ITW Speer)782.21
4A​
1141.5​
5A​
1
Chicago (Noble/Pritzker)791.64
4A​
974.5​
5A​
1
Chicago (Lake View)800.21
4A​
1392​
6A​
2
Chicago (Curie)801.57
4A​
3019​
8A​
4
Chicago (Goode)807.93
4A​
944.5​
5A​
1
Chicago (Steinmetz)809.63
4A​
1148​
5A​
1
Chicago (Solorio Academy)821.86
4A​
1239​
5A​
1
Chicago (Washington)825.43
4A​
1516.5​
6A​
2
Chicago (Orr)826.86
4A​
214​
1A​
(3)
Chicago (Noble/DRW Trading)828.00
4A​
305.5​
2A​
(2)
Mattoon834.14
4A​
934​
5A​
1
Chicago (Simeon)848.57
4A​
1374.5​
6A​
2
Chicago (Prosser)855.29
4A​
1161​
5A​
1
Chicago (North Grand)857.92
4A​
1060.5​
5A​
1
Highland862.43
4A​
897.5​
5A​
1
Chicago (Schurz)885.79
4A​
1448​
6A​
2
Chicago (C. Academy) [Coop]898.57
4A​
893.5​
5A​
1
Mahomet (Seymour)899.57
4A​
996​
5A​
1
Chicago (Noble/Muchin)900.14
4A​
968​
5A​
1
Springfield (Southeast)901.13
4A​
1223.5​
5A​
1
Springfield (Lanphier)916.85
4A​
1113.5​
5A​
1
Mascoutah926.57
4A​
1162​
5A​
1
Decatur (MacArthur)928.22
4A​
1145.5​
5A​
1
Chicago (Hubbard)928.64
4A​
1765​
6A​
2
Chicago (Von Steuben)960.71
4A​
1673.5​
6A​
2
Decatur (Eisenhower)964.29
4A​
1022.5​
5A​
1
Chicago (North Lawndale Charter)966.86
4A​
458​
3A​
(1)
Chicago (Noble/Bulls)974.14
4A​
1182.5​
5A​
1
Jacksonville (H.S.)975.49
4A​
882​
5A​
1
Ottawa (Twp.)984.57
4A​
1233.5​
5A​
1
Chicago (Lindblom)986.92
4A​
1143.5​
5A​
1
Chicago (Corliss) [Coop]993.71
4A​
922.5​
5A​
1
Chicago (Mather)997.43
4A​
1660.5​
6A​
2
 
All changes Part 4 of ?
SchoolFE AvgFE ClassActual EnrollmentCurrent ClassChange Total
Chicago (DuSable) [Coop]999.50
5A​
530.5​
3A​
(2)
Chicago (Urban Prep/Bronzeville) [Coop]1,012.25
5A​
531.5​
3A​
(2)
Chatham (Glenwood)1,016.65
5A​
1466​
6A​
1
Chicago (Lincoln Park)1,024.50
5A​
2088.5​
7A​
2
Canton1,028.21
5A​
650​
4A​
(1)
Chicago (Foreman)1,036.14
5A​
582.5​
4A​
(1)
Chicago (King)1,036.36
5A​
542.5​
3A​
(2)
Chicago (Gage Park)1,039.57
5A​
308.5​
2A​
(3)
Chicago (Crane)1,050.86
5A​
417​
3A​
(2)
Springfield (H.S.)1,063.34
5A​
1479​
6A​
1
Chicago (Hyde Park)1,064.44
5A​
714.5​
4A​
(1)
Aurora (Marmion Academy)1,065.07
5A​
1717.65​
6A​
1
Chicago (Dyett)1,066.79
5A​
554.5​
4A​
(1)
Normal (University)1,077.07
5A​
608.5​
4A​
(1)
Quincy (Notre Dame)1,077.49
5A​
624.525​
4A​
(1)
Rochester1,117.90
5A​
754​
4A​
(1)
Chicago (Kenwood)1,118.83
5A​
1939.5​
7A​
2
Collinsville1,126.64
5A​
1901.5​
7A​
2
Washington1,133.43
5A​
1429.5​
6A​
1
Granite City1,139.64
5A​
1810.5​
7A​
2
Maple Park (Kaneland)1,163.86
5A​
1326.5​
6A​
1
Dunlap1,165.14
5A​
1340.5​
6A​
1
Bloomington (H.S.)1,173.75
5A​
1489​
6A​
1
Peoria (Richwoods)1,203.97
5A​
1397.5​
6A​
1
Pekin1,216.14
5A​
1820.5​
7A​
2
Cahokia (H.S.)1,243.10
5A​
794​
4A​
(1)
Belleville (Althoff Catholic)1,253.35
5A​
476.025​
3A​
(2)
Champaign (Central)1,266.83
5A​
1440.5​
6A​
1
Chicago (Noble/Johnson)1,273.93
5A​
505​
3A​
(2)
Arlington Heights (St. Viator)1,298.38
5A​
1351.35​
6A​
1
Peoria (Manual)1,324.25
5A​
593.5​
4A​
(1)
East Moline (United)1,325.25
5A​
1740​
6A​
1
Normal (Community)1,343.93
5A​
2096​
7A​
2
Chicago (Clark) [Coop]1,362.36
5A​
744​
4A​
(1)
Mundelein (Carmel)1,370.81
5A​
1772.925​
6A​
1
Wauconda1,373.00
5A​
1385​
6A​
1
 
All changes part 5 of ?
SchoolFE AvgFE ClassActual EnrollmentCurrent ClassChange Total
Peoria (Notre Dame)1,377.00
6A​
929.775​
5A​
(1)
Wheaton (St. Francis)1,383.75
6A​
1130.25​
5A​
(1)
Quincy (Sr.)1,398.08
6A​
1876​
7A​
1
Chicago (Leo)1,400.36
6A​
636.9​
4A​
(2)
Geneseo1,416.00
6A​
840.5​
4A​
(2)
Niles (Notre Dame)1,429.26
6A​
2285.25​
8A​
2
Lansing (Thornton Fractional South)1,437.50
6A​
1872​
7A​
1
Chicago (Payton)1,443.07
6A​
1204.5​
5A​
(1)
Country Club Hills (Hillcrest)1,449.64
6A​
1175​
5A​
(1)
Round Lake1,455.50
6A​
2196.5​
8A​
2
LaGrange Park (Nazareth Academy)1,459.66
6A​
1180.58​
5A​
(1)
Chicago (Marist)1,465.87
6A​
2662.28​
8A​
2
Lisle (Benet Academy)1,466.88
6A​
2097.975​
7A​
1
Tinley Park (H.S.)1,486.79
6A​
1019.5​
5A​
(1)
Moline (H.S.)1,501.58
6A​
2093.5​
7A​
1
Dolton (Thornridge)1,509.71
6A​
982.5​
5A​
(1)
Chicago (De La Salle)1,512.19
6A​
1157.475​
5A​
(1)
Chicago Heights (Bloom Twp.)1,516.92
6A​
2822​
8A​
2
Richton Park (Rich Township)1,519.15
6A​
2466.5​
8A​
2
North Chicago1,522.79
6A​
768.5​
4A​
(2)
Norridge (Ridgewood)1,539.14
6A​
797.5​
4A​
(2)
Evergreen Park1,541.29
6A​
892​
5A​
(1)
Machesney Park (Harlem)1,551.83
6A​
1928​
7A​
1
Rockton (Hononegah)1,551.83
6A​
1911​
7A​
1
Rockford (Jefferson)1,555.18
6A​
1887.5​
7A​
1
Chicago (DePaul)1,559.07
6A​
833​
4A​
(2)
Rockford (Guilford)1,561.54
6A​
1843​
7A​
1
Elmhurst (IC Catholic)1,565.29
6A​
608.03​
4A​
(2)
Rockford (Auburn)1,565.40
6A​
1816​
7A​
1
Summit (Argo)1,589.57
6A​
1877.5​
7A​
1
Sterling (H.S.)1,591.92
6A​
978.5​
5A​
(1)
Chicago (Whitney Young)1,598.14
6A​
1924​
7A​
1
Burbank (Reavis)1,606.14
6A​
1967​
7A​
1
Lombard (Glenbard East)1,615.64
6A​
2255​
8A​
2
Belvidere (H.S.)1,647.54
6A​
1241​
5A​
(1)
Lombard (Montini)1,662.51
6A​
805.2​
4A​
(2)
Carpentersville (Dundee-Crown)1,664.71
6A​
2474​
8A​
2
Huntley1,664.71
6A​
2996​
8A​
2
 
All changes part 7 of 7
SchoolFE AvgFE ClassActual EnrollmentCurrent ClassChange Total
Freeport (H.S.)1,666.07
7A​
1028.5​
5A​
(2)
Rockford (Boylan Catholic)1,666.07
7A​
1111.275​
5A​
(2)
Chicago (Lane)1,676.86
7A​
4171.5​
8A​
1
Chicago (Taft)1,684.36
7A​
3849​
8A​
1
Wilmette (Loyola Academy)1,689.11
7A​
3276.08​
8A​
1
Oak Lawn (Richards)1,691.57
7A​
1593.5​
6A​
(1)
Kankakee (Sr.)1,707.80
7A​
1459.5​
6A​
(1)
McHenry1,708.79
7A​
2165.5​
8A​
1
Chicago (Morgan Park)1,709.25
7A​
1045​
5A​
(2)
Crete (Monee)1,733.14
7A​
1413​
6A​
(1)
Glen Ellyn (Glenbard South)1,738.50
7A​
1096.5​
5A​
(2)
Chicago (Phillips)1,749.02
7A​
547.5​
4A​
(3)
Bensenville (Fenton)1,761.57
7A​
1392.5​
6A​
(1)
Vernon Hills1,785.86
7A​
1518.5​
6A​
(1)
Chicago (St. Ignatius)1,791.21
7A​
2408.1​
8A​
1
Cary (Grove)1,801.07
7A​
1519.5​
6A​
(1)
Crystal Lake (Central)1,808.50
7A​
1467.5​
6A​
(1)
Crystal Lake (South)1,827.21
7A​
1336.5​
6A​
(1)
Burlington (Central)1,834.57
7A​
1285​
6A​
(1)
Crystal Lake (Prairie Ridge)1,834.57
7A​
1214​
5A​
(2)
Belleville (East)1,865.00
7A​
2439​
8A​
1
Wheeling1,866.43
7A​
1677​
6A​
(1)
Joliet (Catholic Academy)1,867.67
7A​
965.25​
5A​
(2)
Chicago (Amundsen)1,879.64
7A​
1470​
6A​
(1)
New Lenox (Providence Catholic)1,883.25
7A​
1296.08​
6A​
(1)
Skokie (Niles West)1,896.43
7A​
2476​
8A​
1
St. Charles (East)1,916.71
7A​
2169​
8A​
1
O'Fallon (H.S.)1,938.90
7A​
2488​
8A​
1
Edwardsville (H.S.)1,981.63
7A​
2307​
8A​
1
Carol Stream (Glenbard North)1,998.07
7A​
2179.5​
8A​
1
Geneva2,004.93
7A​
1698​
6A​
(1)
Harvey (Thornton)2,013.50
7A​
1496​
6A​
(1)
Roselle (Lake Park)2,042.57
7A​
2557​
8A​
1
Highland Park2,044.29
7A​
1772​
6A​
(1)
Joliet (West)2,066.14
7A​
3337.5​
8A​
1
Franklin Park-Northlake (Leyden)2,082.79
7A​
3406.5​
8A​
1
Palatine (Fremd)2,087.36
7A​
2608​
8A​
1
Aurora (East)2,135.86
7A​
4050.5​
8A​
1
Berwyn-Cicero (Morton)2,140.43
7A​
7758.5​
8A​
1
Addison (A. Trail)2,189.50
8A​
1902​
7A​
(1)
Darien (Hinsdale South)2,238.57
8A​
1315​
6A​
(2)
New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central)2,288.21
8A​
1960.5​
7A​
(1)
Arlington Heights (Hersey)2,307.57
8A​
1989.5​
7A​
(1)
East St. Louis (Sr.)2,336.25
8A​
1194​
5A​
(3)
Elgin (Larkin)2,356.92
8A​
2107​
7A​
(1)
Streamwood2,403.50
8A​
1755.5​
6A​
(2)
New Lenox (Lincoln-Way West)2,412.71
8A​
1927.5​
7A​
(1)
Mundelein (H.S.)2,477.07
8A​
2089.5​
7A​
(1)
Deerfield (H.S.)2,479.71
8A​
1489.5​
6A​
(2)
Libertyville2,493.71
8A​
1784​
6A​
(2)
Romeoville (H.S.)2,523.36
8A​
1893.5​
7A​
(1)
Villa Park (Willowbrook)2,543.21
8A​
1868​
7A​
(1)
Mt. Prospect (Prospect)2,553.57
8A​
2155.5​
7A​
(1)
Lake Forest (H.S.)2,563.99
8A​
1471.5​
6A​
(2)
Plainfield (East)2,609.64
8A​
2031.5​
7A​
(1)
Downers Grove (North)2,636.36
8A​
2156​
7A​
(1)
Plainfield (Central)2,688.57
8A​
2050.5​
7A​
(1)
Northbrook (Glenbrook North)2,725.57
8A​
1996.5​
7A​
(1)
Maywood (Proviso East)2,809.29
8A​
2001​
7A​
(1)
Yorkville (H.S.)2,828.71
8A​
1974​
7A​
(1)
Lake Zurich2,865.86
8A​
1775.5​
6A​
(2)
 
I should have put the "Change" column flipped. Negative means they're going up in Football Enrollment verse actual.. Not going to correct now 🙃

Enjoy!
 
Also a plea:

For the love of god please behave so all my work summarizing this data isn't lost to an Edgy flush. 🙏. I do have the data backed up, but pasting it all into bite sized snips still took work.
Thank you for posting (and work on this), this is extremely interesting. While not perfect it certainly starts to move the bracket placements beyond the very outdated school size rule. I am curious if strength of schedule could be factored in someway, and devise a sliding scale for demotion and success for all schools.
 
Thank you for posting (and work on this), this is extremely interesting. While not perfect it certainly starts to move the bracket placements beyond the very outdated school size rule. I am curious if strength of schedule could be factored in someway, and devise a sliding scale for demotion and success for all schools.
I think you could pretty easily. I did this in a few hours of work using just copy/paste from a few IHSA website pages and excel. Put that all in a real database and you could easily expand on the metrics for either seeding or classification purposes.

My immediate thoughts are to look at CPS and CCL/ESCC schools through a unique lens. Whether a straight cap on class movement or a conference specific adjustment, those are a lot of the biggest movers (going both ways for CCL). I quite like how it moved a lot of other schools up and down. It definitely struggles on the edge cases as a lot of 8A schools just naturally get pulled down.
 
I think you could pretty easily. I did this in a few hours of work using just copy/paste from a few IHSA website pages and excel. Put that all in a real database and you could easily expand on the metrics for either seeding or classification purposes.

My immediate thoughts are to look at CPS and CCL/ESCC schools through a unique lens. Whether a straight cap on class movement or a conference specific adjustment, those are a lot of the biggest movers (going both ways for CCL). I quite like how it moved a lot of other schools up and down. It definitely struggles on the edge cases as a lot of 8A schools just naturally get pulled down.
I was working on a new post about classification and bracket ideas when this one came out.

Here were a few of my thoughts:
  1. Incorporate a system that ALL schools have a sliding class placement scale both for success and demotion if certain requirements are met. So many schools are over-classed based solely on the outdated school size rule, the playoff data certainly speaks volumes on this.

  2. Rank all classes from 1-32 and split the brackets into an "Upper Bracket" (1-16) and a "Relegation Bracket" (17-32) per class. To discourage teams from intentionally tanking in order to play in the Relegation Bracket, implement a rule that if a team wins the Relegation Bracket, there is a 4 year ban from competing in Regelation Bracket at that class level, and would need to qualify to compete in either the Champion (see below #4), Upper Bracket, or a higher-class Relegation Bracket during that 4-year ban before being eligible again. I feel this would help reduce some of the clocked games and layout some compelling brackets from the start.

  3. Incorporate strength of schedule into class placements and rankings to create a more equitable system. I admit this one may be more difficult and would be subject to opinion. However, with all the algorithms out there, someone could come up with something useful, admittedly this is beyond my brain capacity.
    Example would be something like CCL 4 or 5 win teams qualify because of strength of schedule, but a conference like UEC maybe 6 or 7 win teams only.

  4. Consider a Champion Bracket where the top 12 teams in state play regardless of class. I believe other states like CA do this. This open bracket would crown the best team in IL. All other teams filter down to the Upper & Relegation Class Brackets based on placement rules. Only the Champion and Upper Brackets play in State location, Relegation brackets plays in normal course of home school games to higher seed.

  5. Create a CPS bracket, winners move to other brackets for limited amount of time before being eligible back in CPS bracket. Example 4 years with no Quarter Final appearances in other brackets allows eligibility back in CPS bracket. IMHO the CPS needs some work. Admittedly I am ignorant to all the workings of the CPS, but I see so many get clocked in the current brackets.
Obvious Rebuttals:
1. Travel could be an issue for 1 – 32 rankings. Maybe neutral sites if travel is more than 2.5 hours, gates go to home team.
2. Too Many Brackets. My response would be so what, let’s worry about getting it right, plus the Champion Bracket will crown the top dog in the State. The above ideas would only add 12 more teams total if Champion bracket was created. This might also possible allow the reduction in number classes total, maybe go to 6.

Interested in hearing some rebuttals on this, obviously if you think the IHSA Playoffs are good as is the so be it. But if you believe, like me, that the data shows there are imperfections in the IHSA playoff brackets and class placements and think the goal should be to create a more balanced playoff system I am curious your thoughts.
 
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I was working on a new post about classification and bracket ideas when this one came out.

Here were a few of my thoughts:
  1. Incorporate a system that ALL schools have a sliding class placement scale both for success and demotion if certain requirements are met. So many schools are over-classed based solely on the outdated school size rule, the playoff data certainly speaks volumes on this.

  2. Rank all classes from 1-32 and split the brackets into an "Upper Bracket" (1-16) and a "Relegation Bracket" (17-32) per class. To discourage teams from intentionally tanking in order to play in the Relegation Bracket, implement a rule that if a team wins the Relegation Bracket, there is a 4 year ban from competing in Regelation Bracket at that class level, and would need to qualify to compete in either the Champion (see below #4), Upper Bracket, or a higher-class Relegation Bracket during that 4-year ban before being eligible again. I feel this would help reduce some of the clocked games and layout some compelling brackets from the start.

  3. Incorporate strength of schedule into class placements and rankings to create a more equitable system. I admit this one may be more difficult and would be subject to opinion. However, with all the algorithms out there, someone could come up with something useful, admittedly this is beyond my brain capacity.
    Example would be something like CCL 4 or 5 win teams qualify because of strength of schedule, but a conference like UEC maybe 6 or 7 win teams only.

  4. Consider a Champion Bracket where the top 12 teams in state play regardless of class. I believe other states like CA do this. This open bracket would crown the best team in IL. All other teams filter down to the Upper & Relegation Class Brackets based on placement rules. Only the Champion and Upper Brackets play in State location, Relegation brackets plays in normal course of home school games to higher seed.

  5. Create a CPS bracket, winners move to other brackets for limited amount of time before being eligible back in CPS bracket. Example 4 years with no Quarter Final appearances in other brackets allows eligibility back in CPS bracket. IMHO the CPS needs some work. Admittedly I am ignorant to all the workings of the CPS, but I see so many get clocked in the current brackets.
Obvious Rebuttals:
1. Travel could be an issue for 1 – 32 rankings. Maybe neutral sites if travel is more than 2.5 hours, gates go to home team.
2. Too Many Brackets. My response would be so what, let’s worry about getting it right, plus the Champion Bracket will crown the top dog in the State. The above ideas would only add 12 more teams total if Champion bracket was created. This might also possible allow the reduction in number classes total, maybe go to 6.

Interested in hearing some rebuttals on this, obviously if you think the IHSA Playoffs are good as is the so be it. But if you believe, like me, that the data shows there are imperfections in the IHSA playoff brackets and class placements and think the goal should be to create a more balanced playoff system I am curious your thoughts.
Always enjoy hearing someone's thoughts on how to make the playoffs better.
Just for clarification, I will use 5A the class for the example. The top 16 teams compete for a 5A title and the next 16 teams compete for a 5A title? Did I miss something? So, you have 5A Gold champs and 5A Silver champs? Obviously, Gold=Upper and Silver=Relegation.
 
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Incorporate a system that ALL schools have a sliding class placement scale both for success and demotion if certain requirements are met. So many schools are over-classed based solely on the outdated school size rule, the playoff data certainly speaks volumes on this.

Yes! I've been howling in the wind about this for years on this board! Glad to see someone else seeing the logic of it. Be prepared for lots of naysayers and nitpickers, though.

Rank all classes from 1-32 and split the brackets into an "Upper Bracket" (1-16) and a "Relegation Bracket" (17-32) per class. To discourage teams from intentionally tanking in order to play in the Relegation Bracket, implement a rule that if a team wins the Relegation Bracket, there is a 4 year ban from competing in Regelation Bracket at that class level, and would need to qualify to compete in either the Champion (see below #4), Upper Bracket, or a higher-class Relegation Bracket during that 4-year ban before being eligible again. I feel this would help reduce some of the clocked games and layout some compelling brackets from the start.

Very interesting idea indeed! Ranking will be a challenge and lots of folks will want you to have every T crossed and I dotted on that.

Incorporate strength of schedule into class placements and rankings to create a more equitable system. I admit this one may be more difficult and would be subject to opinion. However, with all the algorithms out there, someone could come up with something useful, admittedly this is beyond my brain capacity.
Example would be something like CCL 4 or 5 win teams qualify because of strength of schedule, but a conference like UEC maybe 6 or 7 win teams only.

Again, I've been talking about this for years, but I was pilloried when I took your approach that smarter people than me can come up with the right formula. Talk with @stonedlizard about the system he has already devised.

Consider a Champion Bracket where the top 12 teams in state play regardless of class. I believe other states like CA do this. This open bracket would crown the best team in IL. All other teams filter down to the Upper & Relegation Class Brackets based on placement rules. Only the Champion and Upper Brackets play in State location, Relegation brackets plays in normal course of home school games to higher seed.

Hmmm. Now you are getting into dangerous territory. People will mock you and say that it will diminish the non Champion Bracket class championships.

Create a CPS bracket, winners move to other brackets for limited amount of time before being eligible back in CPS bracket. Example 4 years with no Quarter Final appearances in other brackets allows eligibility back in CPS bracket. IMHO the CPS needs some work. Admittedly I am ignorant to all the workings of the CPS, but I see so many get clocked in the current brackets.

The elephant in the room. No easy fix.

But if you believe, like me, that the data shows there are imperfections in the IHSA playoff brackets and class placements and think the goal should be to create a more balanced playoff system I am curious your thoughts.

I believe, more than anything, that the problem lies in a flawed enrollment-based classification system. I also believe that there are too many classes and too many qualifiers in each class. The more watered down the playoffs are with classes and enrollment-based qualifiers, the more they are susceptible to blowouts especially in 1-32 seeding.

Overall, I think your heart is in the right place on this. Thanks for taking a stab at it. Seriously, have a conversation with @stonedlizard about this. You'll be glad you did.
 
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Yes! I've been howling in the wind about this for years on this board! Glad to see someone else seeing the logic of it. Be prepared for lots of naysayers and nitpickers, though.



Very interesting idea indeed! Ranking will be a challenge and lots of folks will want you to have every T crossed and I dotted on that.



Again, I've been talking about this for years, but I was pilloried when I took your approach that smarter people than me can come up with the right formula. Talk with @stonedlizard about the system he has already devised.



Hmmm. Now you are getting into dangerous territory. People will mock you and say that it will diminish the non Champion Bracket class championships.



The elephant in the room. No easy fix.



I believe, more than anything, that the problem lies in a flawed enrollment-based classification system. I also believe that there are too many classes and too many qualifiers in each class. The more watered down the playoffs are with classes and enrollment-based qualifiers, the more they are susceptible to blowouts especially in 1-32 seeding.

Overall, I think your heart is in the right place on this. Thanks for taking a stab at it. Seriously, have a conversation with @stonedlizard about this. You'll be glad you did.
There's always are gonna be blowouts. Across all classes the best teams on a good day are just head and shoulders above a median team, even a median playoff team.

Trying to go 32 deep in a strictly competetive balance mandate is just tough too. You have a lot of small class schools who are probably in the top 50 teams in a given year. Are they "7A" now? (assuming you could seed the best 32 in 8A and work down the line).

On some level I think some enrollment based factor is practical (whether direct or football enrollment). But whereas today it's like 95/5 (SF playing a very small role), maybe it needs to be more 70/30 or something. And the 30 as much as possible should be based on leading success indicators and not backwards looking success adjustments (which will rarely make sense).
 
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On some level I think some enrollment based factor is practical (whether direct or football enrollment). But whereas today it's like 95/5 (SF playing a very small role), maybe it needs to be more 70/30 or something. And the 30 as much as possible should be based on leading success indicators and not backwards looking success adjustments (which will rarely make sense).

I do too, but don't call it enrollment based. That's basically what we have now. Call it enrollment influenced.
 
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