By OWEN BELL
Sheridan High School Student
The Sheridan Student Column is brought to readers by Sheridan High School’s 10th grade English class, taught by Abby Williams.
Throughout the state of Indiana, over the past decade, private schools have begun to appear more popular as well as dominating the IHSAA, especially in the lower classes. Some of the state’s top athletes chose these schools opposed to attending the public school proximate to their residence. Private schools have seen an increase in IHSAA state titles among all sports.
Below we will look at IHSAA State Championship Games over the past three State Champions of all classes in Boys Basketball and Football as well as Girls Soccer. Bolded are the State Champions which are private schools.
IHSAA Boys Football State Champions 2021-2023
2021
- Lafayette Central Catholic
- Western Boone
- Indianapolis Bishop Chatard
- Evansville Memorial
- New Palestine
- Carmel
2022
- Indianapolis Lutheran
- Andrean
- Gibson Southern
- Vernon
- Indianapolis Cathedral
- Center Grove
2023
- Indianapolis Lutheran
- Evansville Mater Dei
- Indianapolis Bishop Chatard
- East Central
- Valparaiso
- Center Grove
The past few years, private schools have won nine of the past 18 total IHSAA Football State Championship games. Private schools won all three years in Classes A and two out of three years in classes 2A and 3A.
IHSAA Boys Basketball State Champions 2021-2023
2021
- Barr-Reeve
- Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian
- Silver Creek
- Carmel
2022
- North Daviess
- Clarksville Providence
- Beech Grove
- Indianapolis Cathedral
2023
- Indianapolis Lutheran
- Fort-Wayne Blackhawk Christian
- Northwood
- Ben Davis
Basketball numbers are very similar to the football numbers, where private schools have won a combined five out of 12 IHSAA Boys Basketball State Championships. All but one class saw a private school win over the past three years.
IHSAA Girls Soccer State Champions 2020-2022
2020
- Lafayette Central Catholic
- Evansville Mater Dei
- Noblesville
2021
- Heritage Christian
- Evansville Memorial
- Homestead
2022
- Park Tudor
- Evansville Memorial
- Noblesville
IHSAA Girls Soccer State Champions have been private schools six out of nine times over the past three years over all three classes. Private schools have won Classes A and 2A for three years in a row.
As private schools continue to dominate IHSAA, especially the smaller classes, opportunities at a state title are becoming more and more challenging for kids attending public high schools across the state. They are able to pull kids from all over the state to enroll at their school. Private schools should play in their own class made up of all private schools across the state.