2025-26 / 2026-27 Tournament Alignment Cycle

Alignment Process and Guidelines

The proposed alignments were generated via the process approved by the Tournament Management Committee at its June 2024 meeting:

A baseline is established using enrollment figures from the DESE database as of October 2023.
Enrollments for each member school are adjusted using the Competitive Equity Modifier, which includes two factors:
- Stability Rate %: Measures how many students remain in a district or school throughout the school year.
- High Needs Modifier: A sliding scale based on the state percentage for high schools.
Any previously approved appeals are automatically placed in the division for which the appeal was granted (indicated by “AA” code).
A factor is applied to move private schools up one division (indicated by “Y” code)
After all appeals and factors are applied, divisions are re-balanced.

Fall Alignment Process / Timeline:

The deadline to appeal divisional alignment for Fall sports is October 1.
Throughout October, appeals will be heard by a subcommittee of Sport committee chairs (or designees) and members of the Tournament Management Committee.
Once all appeals are heard, final Fall alignments for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 cycle will be published on November 1.
There will be NO re-balancing of divisions after new appeals are awarded.

For Informational Purposes only:

Winter Alignment Process / Timeline:

Winter sport proposed alignments will be released December 1, 2024.
The deadline to appeal divisional alignment for Winter sports is January 1, 2025.
Throughout January, appeals will be heard by a subcommittee of Sport committee chairs (or designees) and members of the Tournament Management Committee.
Once all appeals are heard, final Winter alignments for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 cycle will be published.
There will be NO re-balancing of divisions after new appeals are awarded.

Alignment Appeal Form - Deadline to Submit is January 1, 2025
To request a change in placement, either upward or downward, the alignment appeal form must be submitted
October 1, 2023 Enrollment Numbers and CEM Enrollment Calculations
Competitive Equity Modifier Explanation