UIL snapshot day: Aledo’s rise to Class 6A is likely, more notes from area
On UIL snapshot day, when schools turn in enrollment figures for an upcoming realignment, high school sports fan get a glimpse at what schools could be moving classifications.
For the 2026 realignment, all eyes will be on Aledo, a 12-time Texas high school football state champion. The Bearcats turned in a figure of 2,404, Aledo ISD confirmed to the Star-Telegram.
The cutoff numbers are to be determined, but Aledo’s growth suggests a bump to Class 6A could be on the horizon.
In 2023, Aledo turned in an enrollment of 2,267, which was just seven students shy of the Class 5A cutoff (2,274). Since then, the Bearcats have added 137 students.
If Aledo does move to Class 6A, its entire football landscape will drastically change. Instead of facing 5A programs, the Bearcats could find themselves against squads like Southlake Carroll in the state’s largest classification, and North Crowley could be a potential district opponent.
Realignment will be finalized Feb. 2, with cutoff numbers likely to be released by the UIL during this football season.
Speaking of the Dragons, they are a perfect example of why moving up classifications isn’t the end of the world. In 2002 and 2003, their first two seasons after moving up from Class 4A to 5A, they went 31-1 and won a state championship. At that time, 5A was the largest classification.
Aledo is widely known as one of Texas high school football’s most successful programs. Since 2009, the program hasn’t gone two seasons without winning a title. Now, it will likely face a different challenge against the best competition Texas has to offer.
Fort Worth-area notes
North Crowley submitted an enrollment of 3,025, which is an increase from its previous snapshot figure (2,947). Crowley fell from 2,496 to 2,376, drawing closer to the hypothetical cutoff.
Arlington Bowie turned in an enrollment of 2,300, which is a major decrease from its 2024 number (2,598). The Volunteers, the 2024 District 8-6A champions and a top area squad in 2025, could be heading to Class 5A. The same goes for Mansfield Legacy (2,198).
Northwest ISD schools are booming. Byron Nelson grew from 2,892 to 3,001, while Northwest went from 2,550 to 2,807. The one exception is Haslet Eaton, which fell slightly from 3,262 to 3,238.
Boswell fell from 2,564 to 2,402, while Eagle Mountain, a school in its second year, climbed from 863 to 1,297. Chisholm Trail went from 2,204 to 2,165, while Saginaw went from 2,091 to 1,852.
Decatur turned in an enrollment of 1,147, which is a slight decrease from its last figure (1,163).
Arlington Sam Houston (3,451) and Arlington Martin (3,434) saw declines but will still be well over the 6A cutoff. Arlington Lamar also fell, turning in an enrollment of 2,456, which could come close to the cutoff.
Arlington (2,825) saw decent growth, with a 2,651 figure from the 2024 realignment.
This story was originally published October 31, 2025 at 3:46 PM.
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