On Wednesday, GHSA released the new classifications for the 2024-26 cycle. Schools have not yet been placed in regions, and are in the process of taking appeals. GHSA has made the decision to go from 7 classifications back down to 6, and remove the multiplier rule that went for city and private schools. However, private schools, though in the same regions as public schools, will play in separate state tournaments/brackets. For a full look at where all the schools in Georgia came in, click here. Below is a quick glance at where our local schools fall.

CLASS 5A

HABERSHAM CENTRAL

The Raiders drop from 6A to 5A, with total enrollment coming in at 2,105. This puts Habersham in with 59 schools, including others such as Gainesville, Jackson County, Loganville, Clarke Central, and Winder-Barrow.

CLASS 3A

JEFFERSON

The Dragons will move down from 5A to 3A, coming in near the top of this class with 1,377 students enrolled. That’s a big change for Jefferson, and this class will include other familiar schools like White County, Dawson County, Lumpkin County, Oconee County, Johnson, East Hall, Cherokee Bluff, GAC, North Hall, Pickens, West Hall, Chestatee, Gilmer, Monroe Area and many others (57 total schools).

WHITE COUNTY

The Warriors stand pat at 3A, and enrollment stands at 1,179, in the bottom 3 with Dawson and Lumpkin. See above for other schools within this classification.

DAWSON COUNTY

The Tigers stay in 3A, with enrollment at 1,175, second-to-last in the entire classification. See above for others who will join them.

LUMPKIN COUNTY

The Indians are the bottom of the classification in total enrollment at 1,172, staying put in 3A with Dawson and White, as well as Jefferson and several others.

CLASS 2A

STEPHENS COUNTY

The Indians drop down from 3A into 2A, with enrollment at 1,125. That’s near the top of 2A. Stephens will have familiar schools in their class such as Union County, Elbert County, Hart County, Franklin County, Hebron Christian, and a total of 59 schools.

UNION COUNTY

The Panthers stay in 2A with enrollment standing at 975, in the bottom half of the classification. That puts them with several like-schools above.

CLASS 1A DI

BANKS COUNTY

The Leopards fall to 1A DI, down from 2A. Banks County has 859 students. This classification has the most schools with 84 (68 that play football). Others in the class include Rabun County, Commerce, Tallulah Falls, Fannin County, Athens Academy, Prince Avenue Christian, and tons of others.

RABUN COUNTY

The Wildcats stay in 1A DI here, and have 671 students. See above for like schools.

COMMERCE

The Tigers also remain in 1A DI, and enrollment for Commerce is 632.

TALLULAH FALLS

The Indians have 452 students, near the bottom of 1A DI in numbers.

CLASS 1A D2

TOWNS COUNTY

The Indians stay in 1A D2, with total enrollment at 288. This class has 76 schools. Others include Lincoln County.