In a division featuring so many quality ensembles and innovative ideas, it's no surprise that Scholastic A proves to be the absolute toughest competition at the WGI Color Guard World Championships, to finish on top of each year. Here is our breakdown of what to watch for during the Scholastic A prelims in Dayton, Ohio, on Thursday, April 6, streaming LIVE on FloMarching. 

Scholastic A prelims are split up between two venues, BB&T Arena and Millett Hall. Make sure you check out the full prelims schedules for both venues to know exactly when your favorite guard is performing.

All times are LOCAL (Eastern Time) to the event.  

Round 1

Average Seeding Score: 77.485
First Performance: Noon
Last Performance: 1:20 PM
Venue: BB&T Arena | WATCH LIVE
Getting things started at BB&T Arena in Scholastic A is a collection of 11 ensembles that will be looking to make a run at A finals, including a pair of groups from South Carolina -- No. 12 seed Fort Mill and No. 24 River Bluff. Will the in-state neighbors see each other again Saturday and in the finals? 

Round 2

Average Seeding Score: 77.739
First Performance: Noon
Last Performance: 1:20 PM
Venue: Millett Hall | WATCH LIVE
In Round 2 of Scholastic A, Dawson High School from Pearland, Texas, is making a long trek and is poised at a long run to A-class finals. The group finished fourth at the WGI Southwest Color Guard Power Regional and is sitting at No. 11 headed into World Championships. 

Round 3

Average Seeding Score: 78.046
First Performance: 1:45 PM
Last Performance: 3:05 PM
Venue: BB&T Arena | WATCH LIVE
On Thursday afternoon, Round 3 continues to deliver ensembles, including the No. 10 seed East Lincoln High School from North Carolina. East Lincoln won the bronze medal at the loaded WGI Mid-Atlantic Power Regional, which featured two other top 10 ensembles (Cary High School and Green Hope High School). Also, keep an eye on Texas' Paris High School to make a run at finals.

Round 4

Average Seeding Score: 78.215
First Performance: 1:45 PM
Last Performance: 3:05 PM
Venue: Millett Hall | WATCH LIVE
Gateway High School is coming into World Championships as the No. 9 seed and may be considered the favorite of Round 4. Having already won the WGI Pittsburgh Regional earlier in the season, can Gateway's show about Norma Desmond launch the group into stardom and scholastic A finals?

Round 5

Average Seeding Score: 78.607
First Performance: 3:30 PM
Last Performance: 4:50 PM
Venue: BB&T Arena | WATCH LIVE
Cary High School is coming off a silver-medal finish at the WGI Mid-Atlantic Power Regional and is primed for a long run into Scholastic A finals. As the  No. 8 seed, Cary could very well make a jump and find itself with in position for another medal with strong a performance at prelims.

Round 6

Average Seeding Score: 78.787
First Performance: 3:30 PM
Last Performance: 4:50 PM
Venue: Millett Hall | WATCH LIVE
Allen High School Varisty should be considered one of the dark horses in all of Scholastic A. Having started the season strong, Allen recently earned a silver medal at the WGI Southwest Power Regional in Denton, Texas. The group is currently seeded seventh heading into prelims. 

Round 7

Average Seeding Score: 79.569
First Performance: 5:50 PM
Last Performance: 7:10 PM
Venue: BB&T Arena | WATCH LIVE
In the second strongest round of prelims (by average seeding score), Indiana's Terre Haute South High School is sitting at No. 6 and will have to bring a strong performance to maintain that position. Terre Haute walked away with a third-place finish at the WGI Mid-South Power Regional in late March. Decatur Central High School, also from Indiana, comes in at No. 18 and will play a factor in finals as well. 

Round 8

Average Seeding Score: 79.017
First Performance: 5:50 PM
Last Performance: 7:10 PM
Venue: Millett Hall | WATCH LIVE
In one of the stronger rounds of prelims, look for groups such as Carroll High School and Guyer High School to make a push for finals. But No. 5 overall seed Greater Johnstown might have bigger plans and has to be considered the favorite in Round 8.

Round 9

Average Seeding Score: 79.774
First Performance: 7:35 PM
Last Performance: 8:55 PM
Venue: BB&T Arena | WATCH LIVE
The collection of ensembles in Round 9 has the highest average seeding score in prelims and very well might be the toughest round in Scholastic A. As the No. 4 seed, Kettering Fairmont is making a run not only for finals but quite possibly for the World Championship as well. The 2017 season has been a memorable one for Kettering and first-year director Kelsey Klawonn and Melissa Lowry. They overcame some early-season injuries and finished fifth at the WGI Indianapolis Regional. But it looks like the group has turned things around and is a strong contender heading into prelims.

Round 10

Average Seeding Score: 79.372
First Performance: 7:35 PM
Last Performance: 8:55 PM
Venue: Millett Hall | WATCH LIVE
At the WGI Atlanta Regional and the WGI Mid-Atlantic Power Regional, Green Hope High School walked away with the title in Scholastic A. Sitting at the No. 3 overall heading into World Championships, the performers from North Carolina will definitely be on everyone's radar in A class.

Round 11

Average Seeding Score: 77.519
First Performance: 9:20 PM
Last Performance: 10:48 PM
Venue: BB&T Arena | WATCH LIVE
Coming off a championship performance at the WGI East Power Regional, Dartmouth High School has to be considered one of the favorites for everything in Scholastic A. With less than a point separating No. 2 seed Dartmouth from top-seeded Klein Oak, prelims will prove critical to laying that foundation for a championship. 

Round 12

Average Seeding Score: 78.400
First Performance: 9:20 PM
Last Performance: 10:48 PM
Venue: Millett Hall | WATCH LIVE
While No. 25 seed Lake Park and No. 13 Westerville North will have solid opportunities at making SA finals, the overall No. 1 seed, Klein Oak winter guard, is a must-watch. In a simplified show without props or a tarp, the Klein Oak performers want to use their raw emotions to connect with the audience and pull it into their show. Having won the WGI Southwest Power Regional and the WGI Austin Regional, will Klein Oak emerge on top of the vaunted Scholastic A class?

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