UHSAA adopts new composite index to guide 2027-29 high school realignment
Aug 24, 2026, 12:37 PM
UHSAA announces plans to adjust their traditional bi-annual realignment processes. (Tess Crowley, Deseret News)
(Tess Crowley, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah High School Activities Association’s Board of Trustees has finalized new formats and procedures for the 2027-29 statewide realignment of its 162 member schools, the organization announced Aug. 21.
For the first time, the UHSAA will use a Composite Realignment Index to establish athletics classifications ranging from 1A to 6A.
The CRI replaces a process that relied primarily on enrollment and instead weighs three factors:
- School enrollment figures
- Socio-economic status (SES)
- Competitive performance
Schools with higher CRI scores will be placed in higher classifications; those with lower scores will be placed in lower ones.
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The change is the most significant procedural shift in Utah high school realignment in years and could reshape region landscapes across the state. By factoring in socioeconomic conditions and on-field results alongside enrollment, the UHSAA aims to create more balanced, competitive classifications — a move that will ripple through scheduling, travel and postseason brackets for every prep athlete, coach and community in Utah.
The UHSAA conducts a statewide realignment every two years to set classifications and region assignments for competition. Classifications are based on Oct. 1 enrollment data for junior and sophomore classes, excluding self-contained students, as reported by the Utah State Board of Education in even-numbered calendar years.
The realignment will include both a general alignment and a separate football alignment. The Board of Trustees retains final authority over all classification and region assignments, including consideration of geographic factors and appeals from individual schools.
Schools may apply to compete in a higher classification in a specific sport or activity during the process.
Timeline for 2027-29 Realignment of UHSAA Member Schools
Meeting #1 (Thursday, November 19 @ 9:00 am)
Initial Classification Placement and First Consideration of Member Schools
Meeting #2 (Tuesday, December 1 @ 9:00 am)
- Schools may apply for a higher classification in a specific sport or activity.
- Geographic adjustments shall also be considered.
- Second Consideration of Classification Placement
- First Consideration of Assigned Regions
Public Hearing (Tuesday, December 8 @ 6:30 pm)
- Zoom Meeting
Meeting #3 (Wednesday, December 9 @ 9:00 am)
- Second Consideration of Assigned Regions
Meeting #4 (Thursday, December 17 @ 9:00 am)
- Establish realignment of member schools
Competition under the new alignment is set to begin in August 2027. Additional information, including the full approved formats and procedures, is available here.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
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