These will be released by WSDA by November 1  

Active Speech and Debate programs will be split into three classifications 4A, 3A, 1A/2A. Active will be defined as a program that has paid WHSAA dues & has hired (or is in the process of hiring as confirmed by the AD for the school) a coach for the season. All programs will be defined as active or non active as of October 15 of the current season. Active programs will then be split into thirds based on school population size (numbers released by WHSAA based on a rolling average. These are released at the beginning of the school year every two years. More information can be found here). If there is an uneven number, the extra spots will be filled from the bottom up. After this date, the classifications will be frozen for the season, meaning no program will move into another classification category for the remainder of the year. If a program joins after October 15, they will be placed into the appropriate category based on their school population size for the current season. This system will be reviewed each year. The classification system for the season will be released to the coaching body and to WHSAA by the WSDA state officers by Nov. 1.