MHSAA announces new classifications for 2027-29 seasons

The Mississippi High School Activities Association has announced new classifications that will begin with the next school year.

Every two years, the MHSAA reclassifies member institutions based on enrollment data. On Monday, the governing body for high school athletics announced a new round of organization for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 athletic seasons.

Here are some of the noteworthy movements, along with full classifications provided by the MHSAA.

Pearl drops down a class

The only 7A school – the state’s largest classification – to drop was Pearl High School. Pearl will go from playing 7A teams like Brandon, Clinton, Germantown, Madison Central, Meridian, and Northwest Rankin, among others, to routinely playing against the likes of Canton, Ridgeland, South Panola, Terry, and Warren Central.

Regions have not yet been announced by the MHSAA, so it is unclear who will automatically be on Pearl athletic schedules in the 2027-28 and 2028-29 athletic seasons.

Others who moved down

Aside from Pearl, the following 16 schools dropped to new classifications:

• Greenville: From 6A to 5A
• Neshoba Central: From 6A to 5A
• Northeast Jones: From 5A to 4A
• Purvis: From 5A to 4A
• Sumrall: From 5A to 4A
• Mendenhall: From 4A to 3A
• Ripley: From 4A to 3A
• Rosa Fort: From 4A to 3A
• Aberdeen: From 3A to 2A
• Mantachie: From 3A to 2A
• Thomas E. Edwards: From 3A to 2A
• Hamilton: From 2A to 1A
• Leland: From 2A to 1A
• J. Z. George: From 2A to 1A
• Sacred Heart: From 2A to 1A
• Velma Jackson: From 2A to 1A

Schools that moved up

Nine schools will move up a class, headlined by Cleveland Central going from 5A to 6A.

Greenwood is the only current 4A school set to move up to 5A, while two schools will go from 3A to 4A: Booneville and St. Stanislaus. Clarkdale will go from 2A to 3A.

Four schools are moving from 1A to 2A: Bogue Chitto, Vardaman, H.W. Byers, and Riverside.

Where MHSAA private schools stand

While the MHSAA is mostly made up of public schools, some private schools – or schools that charge tuition – have either always played in the MHSAA or have moved into the league.

St. Andrew’s, which has played MHSAA since the 1970s, is staying put at 3A. Presbyterian Christian School, the latest private school to move to mostly public-school ball, will continue competing in 3A.

Other private schools and their classifications for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 sports seasons include: French Camp (1A), Tupelo Christian (1A), Piney Woods (1A), Sacred Heart (1A), Resurrection Catholic (1A), St. Patrick (3A), Our Lady Academy (3A), and St. Stanislaus (4A).

In June, the MHSAA announced that it would be applying a 1.5 multiplier on enrollment for private schools playing in the league. One of the reasons behind the decision is to ensure fair play and taper any chances of recruiting student-athletes.

The entire slate of MHSAA classes

The MHSAA provided the following reclassification material, which includes enrollment for grades 9-11.

Class 7A — 24 schools

Adjusted enrollment of 889 and above (Target size: 24 schools)

Class 6A — 24 schools

Adjusted enrollment of 614 and above  (Target size: 24 schools)

Class 5A — 24 schools

Adjusted enrollment of 467 and above (Target size: 24 schools)

Class 4A — 40 schools

Adjusted enrollment of 306 and above (Target size: 40 schools)

Class 3A — 40 schools

Adjusted enrollment of 204 and above (Target size: 40 schools)

Class 2A — 40 schools

Adjusted enrollment of 136 and above (Target size: 40 schools)

Class 1A — 48 schools

48 schools (Target size: 40 schools)