The Alabama Independent School Associationwill end its athletics program following the 2026-2027 school year, the AISA Board of Trustees voted Wednesday, Sept. 23, at a meeting held at the Wynlakes Golf and Country Club in Montgomery.

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The decision will make a significant change for Alabama’s private-school athletics landscape, which has undergone major changes following the formation of the Gulf States Independent Athletic Association and the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s split between public and private schools for championship competition.

Highlights

  • The Alabama Independent School Association will cease its athletics program after the 2026-2027 school year.
  • AISA will continue to operate as an organization, focusing on academic services for its member schools.
  • The decision follows major changes in Alabama’s high school sports, including the creation of the Gulf States Independent Athletic Association.
  • Individual schools must now decide where their athletic programs will compete in the future.

AISA Statement

With today’s announcement about the future of AISA Athletics, we understand that student-athletes, families, coaches, and school communities have questions.

Following a formal decision by our Board of Directors, AISA will conclude its administration of interscholastic athletics at the end of the 2026–27 school year. The board’s decision follows more than a year of careful consideration and several months of discussion among member school leaders.

Here are answers to a few important questions:

𝐈𝐬 𝐀𝐈𝐒𝐀 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠?

No. AISA will continue serving independent schools across Alabama through accreditation, professional development, advocacy, student academic competitions, leadership programs, and other member services.

Over the past decade and a half, AISA has grown from approximately 50 schools to more than 100, driven largely by these non-athletic services. Schools can continue to be AISA members regardless of their athletic affiliation.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐈𝐒𝐀 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞?

This decision follows several years of conversations about the future of independent school athletics in Alabama. Those discussions revealed interest among schools competing in different athletic associations in creating another option, with participating schools helping shape its governance, rules, and identity.

Concluding AISA’s administration of athletics creates an opportunity for that broader effort to move forward while allowing AISA to focus its resources on accreditation, professional development, advocacy, and student academic and leadership programs.

The Gulf States Independent Athletic Association (GSIAA) has established a governing board and is developing its rules with input from schools currently competing across multiple athletic associations. Each school will decide whether that organization is the right fit for its students and community.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔–𝟐𝟕 𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧?

AISA will continue administering athletics through the end of the 2026–27 school year. This announcement does not end our athletic programs immediately.

𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐈𝐒𝐀 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔–𝟐𝟕?

No. This decision concerns AISA’s role in administering athletics. It does not require member schools to discontinue their athletic programs. Schools will determine their athletic affiliations and plans for the 2027–28 school year and beyond.

𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐒𝐈𝐀𝐀?

No. GSIAA is one option for schools to consider. Each school will determine the best path for its students and community, subject to the membership requirements of its chosen association. AISA does not require schools to join GSIAA or any other athletic organization.

GSIAA plans to begin activities in June 2027 with a cheer camp as participating schools prepare for the 2027–28 athletic year.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥’𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐬?

Individual schools will communicate with their families as decisions about future athletic participation are made.