The Michigan High School Athletic Association announced on April 7 the classifications for its member schools and postseason tournaments for the 2026-27 school year. Enrollment breaks that determine divisions have been posted to each sport’s page on the MHSAA website.
These classifications are based on enrollment figures as of Feb. 11, with adjustments made to exclude students not eligible for athletic competition due to age or alternative education status, according to MHSAA guidelines. The purpose is to ensure fair competition by grouping schools into equal or nearly equal divisions depending on participation in each sport.
For the upcoming year, there are 755 tournament-qualified member schools. Sport-by-sport divisional alignments were communicated directly to schools and published online. MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl said a school may not lower its enrollment figure after submission but will be moved up if a revised figure indicates placement in a higher division.
Several recent champions will change divisions next year: Whitmore Lake’s girls cross country team moves up after three Division 4 titles; Farmington Hills Mercy’s girls swimming & diving team shifts from Division 2 to Division 3; Allen Park competitive cheer rises from Division 2 to Division 1; Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian girls golf goes from LPD4 champion into Division 3; and Kingsley volleyball advances from Division 3 champion into Division 2. In spring sports, Pickford boys track & field and Newberry teams will switch divisions starting in the spring of 2027.
Schools can request placement in higher classifications or divisions for at least two years, with deadlines set by season: May 1 for fall sports, Aug.15 for winter sports, and Oct.15 for spring sports.
Traditional class designations (A-D) remain only for election purposes. For the coming year, Class A includes schools with enrollments of at least 783 students; Class B covers those between 358–782; Class C is set at between167–357; and Class D includes those with166 or fewer students. Twenty schools move up a class while eighteen move down under these new breaks.
The MHSAA operates as a private nonprofit organization serving over1,500 public and private high schools as well as junior high/middle schools across Michigan.
