The GHSA made its rulings on classification changes this week. 

Cartersville, originally slotted for 6A, was allowed to remain in Class 5A because another school, Jackson County, petitioned to play up in 6A and was approved. That meant the smallest school in 6A got to move down, and Cartersville was it. Cartersville has the No. 1-ranked football team in Class 5A currently.

City schools Calhoun and Jefferson also lost appeals. Both will be in 5A. Other cities schools denied were Bremen, Thomasville, Vidalia and Social Circle. 

“The reclassification committee the whole time was looking at competitive balance and out-of-district numbers, and I think we stuck by that today,” said Dr. Curt Miller, the reclassification committee chairman.

Appeals results

From 7A to 6A:

Won – Arabia Mountain, East Paulding*, Etowah, Rockdale County, St. Pius, Woodward Academy

Lost – Camden County, Carrollton, Kennesaw Mountain, Richmond Hill

From 6A to 5A:

Won: Cartersville*, Chapel Hill, KIPP Atlanta Collegiate

Lost: Blessed Trinity, Marist, New Manchester

From 6A to 4A:

Lost: Thomas County Central

From 5A to 4A:

Won: Perry, Riverdale, Starr’s Mill, Walnut Grove, Whitewater*

Lost: Calhoun, Flowery Branch, Greater Atlanta Christian, Jefferson, Jenkins

From 4A to 3A:

Won: Central-Macon, Cross Creek, Johnson-Savannah, Pickens*, Richmond Academy, Ridgeland, Sonoraville*, West Hall

From 4A to 2A:

Lost: Lovett

From 3A to 2A:

Won: East Jackson*, Therrell

Lost: Bremen, Thomasville, Vidalia

From 2A to A:

Won: Bryan County

Lost: Social Circle

Schools petitioning to play up

All were approved except Fellowship Christian, which must remain in Class A Private.

7A: Milton

6A: Jackson County

5A: Mays

4A: Holy Innocents’, Pace Academy, Trinity Christian

3A: Savannah, Woodville-Tompkins

2A: Aquinas, B.E.S.T. Academy, Coretta Scott King, Davidson Fine Arts, Elite Scholars, Johnson-Augusta, Technical Career Magnet