The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) is shaking up the high school sports landscape across the state with a major overhaul to its classification system for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years. In a move that marks the end of the seven-class structure introduced in 2014-15, the AHSAA Central Board of Control (CBOC) has approved a new format that separates public and private schools into distinct championship divisions-six classes for public schools and two for private.
This restructuring is more than just a numbers game-it’s about opportunity, equity, and adapting to a changing athletic environment in Alabama. By eliminating the 1.35 enrollment multiplier for private schools (in place since 1999) and the competitive balance factor added in 2018, the AHSAA is leveling the playing field. Private schools will now be classified strictly by enrollment, aligning them more closely with how public schools are evaluated.
“The landscape of education-based athletics in Alabama is changing, and the AHSAA must continue to adapt,” said Executive Director Heath Harmon. “After careful review-and after listening to our public and private school members-the Central Board determined that now is an appropriate time to restructure championship play.”
So what does this mean in practice? Public and private schools will still face off during the regular season, but when it comes to postseason play, they’ll compete for separate titles.
That means more championship hardware is up for grabs than ever before in AHSAA history. And while the postseason paths will diverge, all championship events will continue to be held at the same venues, keeping the spotlight on all student-athletes, regardless of school type.
The biggest shift on the public school side is the elimination of Class 7A. Now, the 32 largest schools in the state will make up Class 6A, which becomes the top tier. The CBOC is also exploring ways to expand playoff opportunities in football and volleyball, including the potential addition of a sub-regional round in volleyball similar to basketball’s pre-Super Regional structure.
The new classification breakdown reflects Alabama’s diverse school landscape. Here's how it shakes out:
- Class 6A: 32 schools
- Class 5A: 64 schools
- Class 4A: 66 schools
- Class 3A: 66 schools
- Class 2A: 65 schools
- Class 1A: 69 schools
- Private Class AA: 17 schools
- Private Class A: 43 schools
That adds up to 425 member high schools, including two public school associate members and one private associate member.
Fall sports like football, volleyball, cross country, swimming and diving, and girls’ flag football already have new regional and sectional alignments in place for the 2026-27 season. Girls’ flag football, which is entering its third year as a championship sport, is expanding from two divisions to four-three for public schools and one for private-highlighting the sport’s rapid growth.
Winter and spring sports alignments will be finalized after the current seasons wrap up, but the same classification structure will apply. And while most sports will follow the six public/two private class format, some may combine classes depending on participation numbers and competitive balance.
Reclassification in Alabama happens every two years, based on Average Daily Membership (ADM) figures for grades 9-11, plus hold-back eighth graders. Public school data comes from the State Department of Education, while private schools submit directly to the AHSAA. That process remains unchanged.
Looking ahead, Harmon emphasized that this model is designed to meet the evolving needs of AHSAA’s more than 175,000 student-athletes. One key concern from private school leaders was financial eligibility-things like scholarships and tuition assistance had previously impacted athletic eligibility.
That’s no longer the case. Programs like the Choose Act and Accountability Act will no longer factor into whether a student can compete.
“Private school members voiced their desire to remove the 1.35 multiplier and competitive balance adjustments,” Harmon said. “Private schools will now be classified strictly on enrollment.”
To ensure private school voices continue to be heard, the AHSAA plans to establish a Private School Headmaster and Principal Committee, modeled after the current Superintendents Committee. They’ll also appoint a Director of Championships for private schools to help manage postseason play and ensure smooth implementation.
Harmon praised the Central Board and AHSAA staff for their work in crafting the new structure, noting that while the plan is strong, it will continue to evolve with input from member schools.
“We believe this is a strong plan, but as with every cycle, we will listen to our membership and make adjustments as needed,” he said.
Terry Curtis, president of the Central Board of Control, echoed that sentiment, thanking the board for doing “what they knew was right for kids.”
At its core, this realignment is about expanding opportunity while preserving unity. The AHSAA remains a single association, committed to serving all member schools-public and private-with fairness, flexibility, and a clear eye on the future.