Game-Changer: AHSAA Unveils Historic Reclassification with Public-Private Championship Split

MONTOMERY, AL – The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) has announced a groundbreaking reclassification for the 2026-2028 seasons, introducing a significant shift in how public and private schools compete for championships. This decision, approved by a 13-2 vote by the AHSAA Central Board, marks the first time in the association’s 104-year history that public and private schools will have separate championship pathways.  

Key Changes in the AHSAA Reclassification
  • Public and Private School Split: Public and private schools will now compete in separate playoff and championship divisions. However, they can still face each other during the regular season.
  • New Classifications: Public schools will return to a six-class system (1A-6A), while private schools will be divided into two new classifications: Class AA and Class A.
  • Elimination of Multipliers: The 1.35 enrollment multiplier and competitive balance adjustments for private schools have been removed. Private schools will now be classified solely based on enrollment numbers.
Breakdown of Classifications and Regions
Public School Classifications
  • Class 6A: 32 largest schools in the state.
  • Classes 1A-5A: Schools are evenly distributed based on enrollment.
Private School Classifications
  • Class AA: Features the 17 largest private schools, divided into two regions.
  • Class A: Includes 43 smaller private schools, divided into four regions.
Public School Class / Region Alignments
Class 6A
  • Region 1: Alma Bryant, Baker, Daphne, Davidson, Fairhope, Foley, Mary G. Montgomery, Robertsdale.
  • Region 2: Auburn, Carver-Montgomery, Central-Phenix City, Dothan, Enterprise, JAG, Opelika, Smiths Station.
  • Region 3: Hewitt-Trussville, Hoover, Oak Mountain, Prattville, Spain Park, Thompson, Tuscaloosa County, Vestavia Hills.
  • Region 4: Bob Jones, Buckhorn, Gadsden City, Grissom, Hazel Green, Huntsville, James Clemens, Sparkman.
Class 5A
  • Region 1: Baldwin County, Elberta, Gulf Shores, Blount, Murphy, Saraland, Spanish Fort, Theodore.
  • Region 2: Benjamin Russell, Park Crossing, Percy Julian, Pike Road, Rehobeth, Russell County, Stanhope Elmore, Wetumpka.
  • Region 3: Bessemer City, Brookwood, Central-Tuscaloosa, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Hueytown, McAdory, Northridge, Paul W. Bryant.
  • Region 4: Calera, Chelsea, Chilton County, Helena, Homewood, Mountain Brook, Pelham, Ramsay.
  • Region 5: Parker, Cullman, Gardendale, Huffman, Jasper, Minor, Mortimer Jordan, Jackson-Olin.
  • Region 6: Clay-Chalkville, Douglas, Oxford, Pell City, Pinson Valley, Southside, Springville, St. Clair County.
  • Region 7: Athens, Austin, Decatur, East Limestone, Florence, Hartselle, Muscle Shoals, Russellville.
  • Region 8: Albertville, Arab, Boaz, Columbia, Fort Payne, Lee-Huntsville, Mae Jemison, Scottsboro.
Class 4A
  • Region 1: B.C. Rain, Citronelle, LeFlore, Orange Beach, Satsuma, Vigor, Williamson.
  • Region 2: Andalusia, Ashford, Carroll, Dale County, Eufaula, Headland, New Brockton, Straughn.
  • Region 3: Demopolis, Holt, Jemison, Montevallo, Northside, Selma, Shelby County, Sipsey Valley.
  • Region 4: Beauregard, Charles Henderson, Elmore County, Greenville, Holtville, Marbury, Tallassee, Valley.
  • Region 5: Center Point, Dora, Fairfield, Carver-Birmingham, Oak Grove, Shades Valley, Wenonah, Woodlawn.
  • Region 6: Alexandria, Anniston, Central-Clay, Jacksonville, Leeds, Lincoln, Moody, Sylacauga.
  • Region 7: Ardmore, Brooks, Deshler, Hamilton, Lawrence County, Priceville, West Morgan, West Point.
  • Region 8: Brewer, Cherokee County, Crossville, Fairview, Good Hope, Guntersville, Hayden, Sardis.
Class 3A
  • Region 1: Escambia County, Excel, Flomaton, Jackson, Opp, T.R. Miller, Wilcox Central, W.S. Neal.
  • Region 2: Beulah, Booker T. Washington, Bullock County, Daleville, Geneva, Pike County, Slocomb, Wicksburg.
  • Region 3: Bibb County, Cordova, Corner, Fultondale, Hale County, Pleasant Grove, Tarrant, West Blocton.
  • Region 4: Ashville, Childersburg, Cleburne County, Handley, Munford, Talladega, Weaver, White Plains.
  • Region 5: Curry, Danville, East Lawrence, Fayette County, Haleyville, Hatton, Oakman, Winfield.
  • Region 6: Etowah, Glencoe, Hanceville, Hokes Bluff, Holly Pond, Oneonta, Susan Moore, Vinemont.
  • Region 7: Central-Florence, Clements, Colbert Heights, Elkmont, Lauderdale County, Rogers, West Limestone, Wilson.
  • Region 8: Asbury, Geraldine, Kate Duncan Smith DAR, Madison County, New Hope, North Jackson, Plainview, Sylvania.
Class 2A
  • Region 1: Chickasaw, Clarke County, Hillcrest-Evergreen, J.U. Blackshear, Luverne, Monroe County, Thomasville.
  • Region 2: Ariton, Cottonwood, Geneva County, Goshen, GW Long, Highland Home, Houston County, Zion Chapel.
  • Region 3: Aliceville, Dallas County, Greene County, Greensboro, Isabella, Southside-Selma, Sumter Central, Thorsby.
  • Region 4: B.B. Comer, Central-Coosa, Dadeville, Horseshoe Bend, Lanett, Ranburne, Randolph County, Reeltown.
  • Region 5: Carbon Hill, Cleveland, Cold Springs, Gordo, Lamar County, Locust Fork, Midfield, Southeastern.
  • Region 6: Gaston, Ohatchee, Piedmont, Pleasant Valley, Saks, Vincent, Walter Wellborn, West End.
  • Region 7: Colbert County, Falkville, J.B. Pennington, Lexington, Phil Campbell, Sheffield, Tanner, Winston County.
  • Region 8: Brindlee Mountain, Collinsville, Fyffe, Ider, North Sand Mountain, Pisgah, Sand Rock, Section.
Class 1A
  • Region 1: Choctaw County, Fruitdale, Leroy, Marengo, McIntosh, Millry, Southern Choctaw, Washington County.
  • Region 2: Abbeville, Barbour County, Brantley, Elba, Florala, Kinston, Pleasant Home, Samson.
  • Region 3: Breakthrough Charter, Francis Marion, J.F. Shields, Keith, Linden, R.C. Hatch, Sweet Water, University Charter.
  • Region 4: Billingsley, Calhoun, Central-Hayneville, Georgiana, Maplesville, McKenzie, Red Level, Verbena.
  • Region 5: Berry, Brilliant, Hubbertville, Lynn, Marion County, Pickens County, South Lamar, Sulligent.
  • Region 6: Alabama Aerospace and Aviation, Fayetteville, Lafayette, Loachapoka, Notasulga, Wadley, Winterboro, Woodland.
  • Region 7: Addison, Belgreen, Cherokee, Hackleburg, Meek, Phillips, Red Bay, Waterloo.
  • Region 8: Appalachian, Cedar Bluff, Gaylesville, Ragland, Spring Garden, Valley Head, Woodville.
Private School Class / Region Alignments
Class AA
  • Region 1: Faith Academy, Glenwood, Houston Academy, McGill-Toolen Catholic, Montgomery Catholic, St. Michael Catholic, St. Paul’s Episcopal, UMS-Wright.
  • Region 2: American Christian, Briarwood Christian, John Carroll Catholic, Lee-Scott Academy,  Madison Academy, Randolph, St. John Paul II Catholic, Westminster Christian.
Class A
  • Region 1: Bayshore Christian, Bayside Academy, Cottage Hill Christian, Mobile Christian, Northside Methodist, Providence Christian, St. Luke’s Episcopal.
  • Region 2: Alabama Christian, Fort Dale Academy, Pike Liberal Arts, Prattville Christian, Saint James, Montgomery Academy, Trinity Presbyterian.
  • Region 3: Autauga Academy, Ellwood Christian, Holy Spirit Catholic, Pickens Academy, Donoho, Tuscaloosa Academy, Victory Christian.
  • Region 4: Coosa Christian, Decatur Heritage, Lindsay Lane Christian, Mars Hill Bible, Shoals Christian, Westbrook Christian, Whitesburg Christian.
Reclassification Implications

AHSAA Executive Director Heath Harmon emphasized that this restructuring is not a separation but an opportunity to expand championship pathways. The move aims to address concerns from both public and private schools while adapting to the evolving landscape of high school athletics in Alabama.

While some board members expressed reservations, the majority believe this change will enhance opportunities for student-athletes across the state. The new structure will be implemented for the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school years, with further details on playoff formats expected in the coming months.

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