New era begins as Bear Lake High School makes division leap in Idaho sports classifications

MONTPELIER — In a notable shift for Bear Lake High School athletics, the Montpelier school will be jumping up a classification this year.

However, due to statewide realignment, 3A has been rebranded as 4A, making it appear as though the former 2A Bear Lake High School is jumping two classifications. In reality, the school is only moving up one division to 4A.

Jared Hillier, Bear Lake High School's athletic director, expressed both excitement and a touch of nostalgia about the transition.

“This change brings us back to familiar territory,” Hillier said. “We’re rejoining American Falls, Marsh Valley and Snake River — teams we’ve had strong rivalries with in the past. Preston will also be in our league for volleyball and softball, which adds another layer of competitive familiarity.”

The increase in division not only signifies a shift in competition but also an opportunity to rekindle old rivalries. Hillier said, “Jumping up in size will certainly raise the level of competition in most sports. It’s an exciting challenge for our athletes and it will give us a chance to reignite some of those classic rivalries, while allowing others to cool off.”

Despite the move to a higher classification, Bear Lake will still face some of the 2A schools during the preseason in various sports. This will provide a balanced mix of new challenges and familiar competition.

“We’re not entirely leaving behind our past opponents,” Hillier said. “We’ll maintain some continuity in our schedules, which helps ease the transition.”

The shift to a higher division is largely attributed to the growth in Bear Lake High School’s student population, which recently surpassed 350 — a threshold that necessitated the move to 4A. Hillier pointed out that while the school’s enrollment has stabilized for now, there is a possibility that it could move back down if the growth levels off or declines in the future.

“The classification count is reassessed every two years, so there’s always room for adjustment,” he said.

The statewide realignment that elevated Bear Lake and other similarly sized schools from what used to be 3A to the new 4A also introduced a new 6A classification, reshaping the competitive landscape across the state.

Despite these changes, Hillier remains optimistic.

“We’re enthusiastic about the new opportunities and challenges this transition will bring for our student athletes," he said. "It’s a chance to prove ourselves and continue building on our athletic legacy.”