**Alabama Splits Public and Private School Sports in Historic AHSAA Decision**
Key Takeaways:
- The AHSAA will separate public and private schools in postseason championships starting Fall 2026.
- This marks the first time in the AHSAA’s 104-year history such a division will occur.
- Private schools will no longer be subject to multipliers or competitive balance assessments.
Montgomery, AL — The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) has voted to separate public and private schools in championship play starting with the 2026-2027 school year, a pivotal change that has propelled “ahsaa” into nationwide trending status. The landmark restructuring of state high school athletics ends a century-long unified championship system, sparking debate among schools, coaches, parents, and education leaders across Alabama.
Historic Vote Redefines High School Championships
In a decisive vote last Friday morning, the **15-member Central Board of Control for the AHSAA approved the change by a 13-2 margin**. Beginning in Fall 2026, private and public schools will continue to compete against each other during the regular season but will no longer meet in postseason championship games. The board’s president **Terry Curtis** and **Blount High School Principal Jerome Woods** were the lone dissenters.
Under the new alignment, **public school football will be divided into six classifications**, with the largest class including 32 schools. Private schools will be grouped into two classifications: small and large. The change will also restructure **girls’ flag football**, which will expand from two to four public school divisions, with private schools forming a separate division.
Why Now? The Background Behind a Century-Old Shift
This move comes amid growing debates about competitive fairness. Historically, the AHSAA assigned private schools a **1.35 athlete multiplier**, effectively inflating their enrollment numbers to balance perceived talent advantages. This, along with the **competitive balance factor** that bumped successful programs into higher divisions, has faced criticism from private education stakeholders for years.
Fueling the timing of the decision was the fallout over the **2024 CHOOSE Act**, a state law that allows a $7,000 educational savings account for families transferring students to private schools. The legislation raised confusion about eligibility rules in athletics, prompting the AHSAA to delay its usual December reclassification process. The restructuring now removes multipliers and balance assessments entirely, reflecting a philosophical shift away from punitive adjustments.
“We are not separating,” said **AHSAA Executive Director Heath Harmon**. “We are restructuring our championship pathways.” Harmon emphasized that the move is designed to provide more tailored playoff environments, rather than to isolate school types.
Future Impacts on Competition and Community
This division is expected to have significant ripple effects on high school athletics statewide. Public schools may reduce the number of private school opponents on their schedules, concerned about the lack of shared postseason incentives. Meanwhile, private schools such as **UMS-Wright** and **Vestavia Hills’ private institutions**, who have historically played successfully against larger public schools, will chart new paths toward championships among peers.
With **12 private school football titles in the first 46 years of playoffs** and 20 more in the last 14 years, their dominance in some divisions became a flashpoint for advocates of restructuring. Still, some leaders worry this change will divide communities familiar with the traditional public-private rivalries.
“I just still feel we are better together,” said **Board President Terry Curtis**, a former head coach who spent 26 years leading UMS-Wright. “Now the private schools can thrive or figure out how they are going to do things. But I’m afraid you are going to see more and more [public schools] not play them.”
Despite concerns, many board members expressed confidence that the move is in line with the long-term interests of student-athletes. **Board Vice President Kim Kiel** highlighted the collaborative review process and stressed that this decision creates equitable championship opportunities tailored to school resources, enrollment, and identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is “ahsaa” trending?
A: The AHSAA voted to separate public and private schools in postseason championships for the first time in its 104-year history, sparking statewide and national attention.
Q: What happens next?
A: The AHSAA will release playoff structures and schedules for private schools in the coming months, with all changes taking effect for the 2026-2027 academic year.
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