NAQT's definition of "Small School" is two-fold:
*Public schools with 500 or fewer students in their top three grades (which must overlap grades 9–12), and that are the default school for their district.
*All other schools with 350 or fewer students in their top three grades.
Both classifications are labeled "Small School" at NAQT ISC.
At the NAQT ISC, Small School teams play in the same division as non-Small School teams. Trophies are awarded to the top finishing Small School teams, potentially following a Small School-specific final match. Specific details will be announced when the full tournament format is announced.