Cumberland Academy to remain in UIL Class 4A

**UIL State Committee Rejects Cumberland Academy's Bid to Drop to Class 3A**

Cumberland Academy will remain in Class 4A for the upcoming 2026-28 realignment after its appeal to move down to Class 3A was denied by the UIL State Executive Committee on Monday, February 23.

The appeal sought a reclassification from Class 4A to Class 3A, with Cumberland Academy citing reasons related to competitive balance, athletic positioning, and economic factors such as travel costs. The school’s official enrollment figure of 540 students fell just below the UIL's Class 4A cutoff of 544.9, fueling their hope for the appeal. However, the committee, meeting in Austin, upheld the current classification.

This decision means Cumberland Academy will continue to compete in District 8-4A, Division I for football. Their district opponents will include familiar teams such as Chapel Hill, Henderson, Jacksonville, Kilgore, and Palestine.

The reclassification process began with the release of initial enrollment numbers in December 2023, followed by the first round of district assignments on January 18, 2024. The window for appeals closed shortly thereafter, on February 1, 2024, leading to the State Executive Committee's final review.

Bryan O'Neal, Cumberland Academy's Athletic Director, stated that the school respects the committee's decision and will now focus on competing effectively in Class 4A. UIL Executive Director Jared Mosley noted that the State Executive Committee hears numerous appeals and strives to apply UIL rules and guidelines consistently across all cases.

Further information on UIL classifications and appeals can be found on the official UIL website at https://www.uiltexas.org.