Recently, the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) announced its new 2025-2027 classifications for the various sports and activities in which Mississippi schools will participate beginning in August 2025.
With seven statewide classifications designated according to the student populations at individual schools, each of the public, parochial, and private schools that voluntarily participate in MHSAA agree to adhere to these participation classifications, as well as all other MHSAA rules and regulations.
Even though the new 2025-2027 reclassification applies to all MHSAA-sanctioned activities, not all schools compete in every sport. This means that some sports (volleyball, for example) have fewer schools competing across the seven classifications.
Keep in mind that when schools grow exponentially in student population, that upward movement into a different MHSAA classification can be challenging for athletes. On the flip side, when school populations decrease dramatically, that downward shift in classification brings its own set of challenges.
Plus, these changes impact individual and team competitions, travel times, championship outcomes, and potential college choices. So, across the states, the official announcement of the 2025-2027 MHSAA classifications was not totally unexpected, but it was definitely noteworthy news for Mississippi high school athletes, their families, their coaches, their communities – and their potential opponents.
This year’s first noticeable change was the addition of West Harrison High School to Class 7A competition, increasing the state’s pool of its largest schools to 25 participants. Three high schools joined the 6A classification, Canton, Gautier, and Greenville, while Caledonia, Columbus, Lanier, Northeast Jones, Purvis, Sumrall, and Vicksburg joined Class 5A.
In Class 4A, Clarksdale, Corinth, Gentry, Rosa Fort, and Yazoo City were added, with even more additions to Class 3A: O’Bannon, Pisgah, Presbyterian Christian, Quitman, Raleigh, St. Andrew’s Episcopal, and Union.
In the state’s two smallest classifications, Baldwyn, East Webster, Enterprise-Clarke, Enterprise-Lincoln, Kemper County, Leland, Myrtle, Sacred Heart, and Velma Jackson moved to Class 2A, with Bogue Chitto, Calhoun City, Leflore County, Richton, Riverside, and Sebastopol moving to Class 1A.
Of course, each classification is further broken down into regions as well. And naturally, when the seven classifications of Mississippi high schools change, regional play changes as well.
As an example, according to the new school classifications in football competition, here are the four regions of Class 7A:
Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4
DeSoto Central Clinton Brandon Biloxi
Hernando Germantown Meridian D’Iberville
Horn Lake Madison Central Northwest Rankin Gulfport
Lewisburg Murrah Oak Grove Harrison Central
Southaven Oxford Pearl Ocean Springs
Tupelo Starkville Petal St. Martin
West Harrison
For a more extensive look at the new MHSSA classifications and regions, take a look online at https://www.misshsaa.com/2024/11/19/2025-27-football-regions/.
Then, make plans to support your local Mississippi students throughout the year as they participate in their favorite sports and activities.
