New York’s Section One Approves Split Between Public and Private Schools for Playoffs

On Tuesday, Section One of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) voted overwhelmingly to amend its rules, declaring non-public schools ineligible for postseason competitions, with the amendment passing by a 69-4 margin, as reported in a press release.

This change will take effect starting in the 2027-28 academic year, impacting schools such as Nanuet, Albertus Magnus, The Ursuline School, Keio Academy of New York, and Leffell. Although these schools will not participate in NYSPHSAA playoffs, they will still have the option to compete in a separate non-public sectional postseason.

Dr. Marc P. Baiocco, Section One President and Clarkstown Central School District Superintendent, emphasized the necessity of this decision, stating, “Section One did not take this step lightly, but the results of this vote make clear that our member schools believe change is necessary.” He highlighted ongoing concerns about inequities in the current system and emphasized the need for a more balanced approach to postseason play.

The amendment follows earlier decisions by several schools, including Cicero-North Syracuse and Liverpool, to shift to a lower competitive tier to avoid facing consistently strong teams like Syracuse Christian Brothers Academy. This decision is expected to spark a broader discussion across New York regarding the integration of private and public school athletics.

Executive Director Todd Santabarbara noted that while the vote is a significant milestone, it marks the beginning of a careful evaluation process. “With implementation not taking effect until the fall of 2027, we have the necessary time to evaluate how this amendment will shape our postseason structure,” he said, emphasizing the importance of planning and collaboration.

As the landscape of high school sports continues to evolve, the upcoming changes may have long-lasting impacts on how public and private schools compete in New York.