Where Savannah area schools landed in GHSA's reclassification

The Georgia High School Association is nearly finished with its reclassification that happens every two years, as a final round of possible appeals could happen this week for schools looking to change regions within their new classifications.

But it looks like Savannah schools are set in their regions for the next two years beginning with the 2024-25 school year.

The GHSA will have a different look as the highest classification — 7A — has been eliminated, while private schools in classes 3A down to 1A Division II will play for one private school championship, in each sport, decided by the private schools playing in those classes. The private schools in 3A-1A will still be able to compete against public schools in regions, but when the playoffs roll around seedings will be decided by a power ranking system that is still in the works.

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After initial designations, schools had a chance to appeal to move up or down a classification. Benedictine, the two-time defending Class 4A football champions, won its appeal and moved up from Class 3A back to 4A, and the Savannah private school powerhouse will be able to compete with publics (along with private schools Pace Academy, Westminster, Holy Innocents' and Eagle's Landing Christian).

The Cadets landed in Region 1-4A, which instantly becomes one of the toughest in the state among all classifications, a league that includes Ware County, Warner Robins, New Hampstead, Wayne County and Perry.

"We thought it was the best decision for us as a school," BC athletic director Jack Holland said. "We've established some great rivalries in 4A and we thought the level of competition there is challenging. Our coaches, across the board, embraced playing at a higher level and we thought it was the best fit for us."

Class 3A is where the most Savannah area schools landed. Calvary Day appealed to move up from 2A, and the Cavs are joined by an array of Savannah public schools in Beach, Groves, Islands, Johnson and Jenkins, which comes back down after playing in 5A, and Windsor Forest, which moves up after being isolated in 2A. Liberty Count, Long County and SE Bulloch in a 10-team region, which is the second biggest in the state.

"We're glad to be back in a region with all of our Savannah brothers and sisters," Windsor Forest athletic directory Cam Turner said at the SCCPSS basketball media day last week.

It will be a good move for Jenkins too, as the Warriors were the only Savannah school playing in Region 1-5A. The Warrior football squad just upset a No. 1 seed — Arabia Mountain — on the road Friday. Coming back to the local region will save on travel costs and time for the Warriors, who are known for their football and basketball programs.

Savannah Christian and Savannah Country Day move down from Class 3A to Class A Division I and apparently won't play in the same region as Calvary Day, although the schools are expected to keep their rivalries alive in non-region matchups and with possible playoff meetings.

SCPS and SCD will play in a region that includes Vidalia, Screven County, Swainsboro and Toombs County, along with non-football playing schools in St. Vincent's and Woodville-Tompkins.

SCD Athletic Director Kenny Conroy said there are pros and cons to the new configuration with private schools within the GHSA.

"We decided to stay in Class A Division I without an appeal," Conroy said, but added that SCD, like other private schools throughout the state, could consider a move toward the Georgia Independent Athletic Association or the South Carolina Independent School Association. "We're going to meet with all our coaches and the powers that be at our school -- and we'll weigh our options and take it from there."

Savannah High moved down from Class A Division I and will join Bryan County in Class A Division II, Region 3.

Richmond Hill, which was isolated as the only team from the Greater Savannah area in Class 7A, will be playing in Class 6A, Region I, along with rival Effingham County in a stacked region that includes Camden County, Colquitt County and Lowndes.

South Effingham moves down a classification to 5A, where the Mustangs will play in Region 1-5A which includes familiar rivals like Glynn Academy, Brunswick, Evans and Bradwell Institute.

Here are the schools from the Greater Savannah area and the classifications and regions they will play in starting in the 2024-25 school year.

Class 6A

Region I

Richmond Hill

Effingham County

Camden County

Colquitt County

Lowndes

Tift County

Valdosta

Class 5A

Region I

South Effingham

Bradwell Institute

Brunswick

Evans

Glynn Academy

Greenbrier

Lakeside-Evans

Statesboro

Class 4A

Region I

Benedictine

New Hampstead

Perry

Ware County

Warner Robins

Wayne County

Class 3A

Beach

Calvary Day

Groves

Islands

Jenkins

Johnson

Liberty County

Windsor Forest

Long County

Southeast Bulloch

Class 2A

Region 3

Savannah Arts Academy

Appling County

Cook

Crisp County

Pierce County

Tattnall County

Class A Division I

Region 3

Savannah Christian

Savannah Country Day

Screven County

St. Vincent’s Academy

Woodville-Tompkins

Swainsboro

Toombs County

Vidalia

Class A Division II

Region 3

Bryan County

Savannah

Savannah Classical*

Savannah Early College*

Claxton

Emanuel County Institute

Jenkins County

McIntosh County Academy

Metter

Portal

Steam Academy*

Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah area schools land in new regions after GHSA reclassification