GHSA Completes Region Alignments Ahead of 2026-28 Cycle
The Georgia High School Association (GHSA) has finalized its 2026-28 reclassification and region alignments. The new classifications and regions go into effect beginning in August, and all three high schools inside the Jackson County School System have been placed into classifications.
As part of the reclassification process, the GHSA is going back to seven classifications, breaking Class A -- which is currently divided into Division I and Division II -- into two separate classifications. This, essentially, means the current AA-AAAAA classifications are all moving up one classification. The largest classification inside the GHSA will once again be AAAAAAA.
East Jackson High School and the new Hoschton High School, which will open in August 2027, will compete in Region 8-AAAA. East Jackson, which currently competes in Region 8-AA, and HHS will be joined in Region 8-AAAA by Cherokee Bluff, East Hall, Monroe Area, Oconee County and West Hall, all of whom compete in the current Region 8-AAA.
Jackson County will essentially remain in its current region but in the new 8-AAAAAA. The Panthers will remain in Region 8 with the likes of Apalachee, Clarke Central, Habersham Central and Loganville. Cedar Shoals, Gainesville, Mountain View and Walnut Grove will join JCHS' region next year. Alcovy and Winder-Barrow, who are currently region opponents for the Panthers, will compete in different classifications next year.
Hoschton High School's student body will be formed by splitting Jackson County's enrollment in August of 2027. HHS' mascot, logo and colors will be revealed in early 2027, prior to the school's opening. Hoschton High School will be located off Highway 332, at the intersection with Boone Road, in Hoschton.
Region 8-AAAA
Cherokee Bluff
East Hall
East Jackson
Hoschton
Monroe Area
Oconee County
West Hall
Region 8-AAAAAA
Apalachee
Cedar Shoals
Clarke Central
Gainesville
Habersham Central
Jackson County
Loganville
Mountain View
Walnut Grove