NEW CONTEST DIVISION SYSTEM
Introducing the New STN Contest Division System Launching Fall 2025
We’re excited to announce an important update to STN’s high school contest structure beginning with the 2025–2026 season. After listening closely to teacher feedback from surveys, meetings, and one-on-one conversations, we are moving away from program-based divisions and introducing a new skill-based division system. This update is designed to improve fairness, flexibility, and clarity across all contests.
This change is focused on one goal: creating the best possible student experience. We want to support student confidence, growth, and success by allowing teachers to enter students into contests that match their actual skill level, regardless of program size or years of STN membership.
This change applies to high school contests only. Middle school will continue as a separate division with its own set of categories and expectations. However, middle school programs may elect to "play up" and compete in high school contests if they want to participate in a category not offering a Middle School division. To do so, teachers must contact shonda@studenttelevision.com prior to registration for approval and guidance.
Why This Change?
To allow students to compete at a level that promotes growth and challenge
To create a more balanced and equitable playing field for programs of all sizes and experience levels
To better recognize and support the wide range of talent and development within STN growing membership
New Contest Divisions
All high school contest categories will now be organized into one of the following four divisions:
Division III – Beginner, Level 1 Only: For students in their first year of video production, regardless of grade level. This will only be available on limited contests based on 2024-2025 participation. Note: Students who participated in an STN-affiliated middle school program and entered high school with a more advanced skill set should not be placed in Novice contest categories. If a team includes a student that is a Level 2, the entry should be submitted in the next level up.
Division II – Intermediate, Levels 1-2: For students with a basic to intermediate skill set. This level is ideal for students who are new to video or have minimal production experience, but are still developing foundational skills and confidence. If a team includes a student that is a Level 3 or higher, the entry should be submitted in the next level up.
Division I – Advanced, Level 3 and up: For students with advanced skills in storytelling, technical execution, and leadership. This level is appropriate for students who take on complex productions and compete successfully in high level contests.
Open Division: For students of all skill levels. This division is for categories where entries from all experience levels compete together. These categories typically do not receive enough entries to justify multiple levels. If participation turnout increases, the addition of divisions will be considered.
Where Will Divisions Be Offered?
Skill-based divisions will be available in STN’s larger, more popular contests where we typically receive a high volume of entries. This helps ensure meaningful competition at every level. For smaller contests, we will continue to offer Open Divisions, where all students compete together regardless of skill level.
To ensure a fair and rewarding experience, divisions with low participation may be combined with another level. On the other hand, if a category grows, it may be split into divisions to maintain balanced competition. Participation is key! The more students and programs that enter, the stronger and more competitive each division becomes.
Mixed-Level Student Teams
If a group includes students at different experience levels, the entry should be submitted in the division that matches the most advanced student on the team. This ensures fairness and consistency across all submissions.
New Student Roster System
To support the new structure, STN is launching a new Student Roster feature within the contest registration system. Teachers will enter the following information for each student:
Name
Grade level (MS, 9, 10, 11, 12)
Years of Video Experience (1, 2, 3, 4, etc.)
This information will allow STN to monitor placement trends and help ensure students are competing in the correct division. Students who were part of an STN-affiliated middle school program and enter high school with a higher skill set should have those middle school years counted toward their video experience.
While this system adds helpful structure and accountability, we continue to rely on teacher integrity and professional judgment. You know your students best and we trust you to place them where they will be most successful.
What’s Next
We want to be clear, this system is built on trust. We are placing that trust in you, the teacher, to put students in the division that best reflects their current skill level and experience. This is not about chasing trophies. It’s about creating an experience that challenges students appropriately, encourages growth, and honors fair competition. We ask that you approach this with integrity and a student-first mindset.
Thank you for your partnership and for everything you do to support our future storytellers.