WIAA approves Milwaukee-area high school conference changes

TL;DR

The WIAA Board approved a non-football realignment plan for Milwaukee-area schools effective in the 2027-28 school year. Sussex Hamilton and Franklin will switch conferences, impacting the Greater Metro and Southeast Conferences.

Key points

WIAA Board approved a non-football realignment plan
Sussex Hamilton joins the Classic 8 Conference
Franklin moves to the Greater Metro Conference
Changes effective in the 2027-28 school year
Southeast Conference will have six schools

Mentioned in this story

Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association

Sussex HamiltonFranklinGreater Metro ConferenceClassic 8 Conference

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Control voted April 22 to approve a recommendation for a previously remanded non-football realignment plan submitted by the association’s Conference Realignment Task Force involving Milwaukee-area schools, starting in the 2027-28 school year.

According to the release from the WIAA, Sussex Hamilton will leave the Greater Metro Conference and join the Classic 8 Conference with Arrowhead, Catholic Memorial, Kettle Moraine, Mukwonago, Muskego, Oconomowoc and Waukesha West.

Franklin will depart the Southeast Conference and join the Greater Metro Conference with Brookfield Central, Brookfield East, Divine Savior Holy Angels (in girls athletics), Marquette (in boys athletics), Wauwatosa East and Wauwatosa West. Current non-football Classic 8 Conference member Oak Creek will also join the Greater Metro with its former Southeast Conference rival.

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With Franklin and Oak Creek both fully departed from the Southeast, the conference will feature six schools with the newly-approved plan: Kenosha Bradford, Kenosha Indian Trail, Kenosha Tremper, Racine Case, Racine Horlick and Racine Park.

Furthermore, Milwaukee Academy of Science will continue to compete in non-football sports as an independent school. Carmen Southgate – the new name of the merging Carmen South and Southeast schools for the 2026-27 school year – will also compete as an independent.

The release comes on the heels of some non-football realignment happenings involving three other schools from the Milwaukee area moving conferences this past March. Germantown and Menomonee Falls will both depart the Greater Metro Conference and head to the North Shore Conference, while Grafton is set to join the Glacier Trails Conference.

Waukesha West's Alana Frea (13) sends the ball downfield during the game against Oconomowoc on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Waukesha West High School in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Waukesha West won the game, 6-1.

Q&A

What changes were approved by the WIAA for Milwaukee-area high schools?

The WIAA approved a non-football realignment plan that includes Sussex Hamilton joining the Classic 8 Conference and Franklin moving to the Greater Metro Conference.

When will the new conference alignments take effect in Milwaukee?

The new conference alignments will take effect starting in the 2027-28 school year.

Which schools are leaving the Southeast Conference in the WIAA realignment?

Franklin and Oak Creek are leaving the Southeast Conference as part of the WIAA realignment plan.

What schools will be in the Southeast Conference after the realignment?

After the realignment, the Southeast Conference will consist of Kenosha Bradford, Kenosha Indian Trail, Kenosha Tremper, Racine Case, Racine Horlick, and Racine Park.