Midsouth Association of Independent Schools facts for kids

The Midsouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) is a group of schools in Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Arkansas. It helps these private schools make sure they are teaching well. The MAIS also organizes sports games for its member schools. It was started in 1968.

The association also runs two other groups. These are the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Educational Association and the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Coaches Association.

History of MAIS

How the MAIS Started

The MAIS was first called the Mississippi Private School Association. It began in 1968. At that time, it helped schools that were created during a period when schools were separated by race. These private schools were mostly for white students. Many of these early schools no longer exist today. Other schools now have students from all backgrounds. They are also approved by other groups, like the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Changes Over Time

A big change happened in 1987. This was the first time a Black student played on any MPSA boys' sports team. In 2000, Christ Missionary and Industrial College High School became the first Black school to join the group. The first MPSA football game with an all-Black school also took place in 2000.

The organization changed its name in July 2009. It became the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools. In 2019, it changed its name again to the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools. This new name shows that schools from Arkansas, Alabama, Louisiana, and Tennessee are now part of the group. In 1992, another group called the Louisiana Independent School Association joined the MPSA. That group had also been started by schools that separated students by race.

MAIS and Citizens' Councils

Some historians say that members of the White Citizens' Council helped start the Association. The White Citizens' Council was a group that supported keeping schools separated by race. Experts say the MPSA built on the ideas of the Citizens' Council.

How MAIS Schools Are Grouped

Sports Classifications

The MAIS groups its schools into different classes. This helps make sports competitions fair. Until 2019, there were five classes. The largest private schools were in Academy AAAA. The smallest schools played in an 8-man league for football.

In 2019, the MAIS changed to six classes. This happened after some smaller schools moved to 8-man football.

Football Classifications

For football, schools are grouped based on their size. This grouping is for the 2023-2025 school years.

• Class 6A has the six largest private schools in the MAIS. These include Jackson Prep, Jackson Academy, Madison-Ridgeland Academy, St. Joseph Catholic School (Madison, Mississippi), Hartfield Academy, and Presbyterian Christian School.
• The other 46 schools that play 11-man football are divided into three classes:

* Class 5A has the top third of these schools. * Class 4A has the middle third. * Class 3A has the remaining 11-man football schools.

• The 31 schools that play 8-man football are divided into two classes:

* Class 2A has the top half of the 8-man schools. * Class 1A has the bottom half of the 8-man schools.

The championship games for Classes 1A through 5A are usually held at Jackson Academy. The Class 6A championship game is usually at Mississippi College.

Other Sports Classifications

For most sports other than football, the MAIS has five classes.

• Class 6A includes the same six largest schools as in football.
• Classes 5A, 4A, 3A, and 2A (the smallest class) each have 24 schools.

For sports like soccer and volleyball, fewer schools play. So, these sports are divided into divisions instead of classes.