Well into a successful fall sports season, Middle Tennessee Christian School announced Wednesday afternoon its decision to move to from Division I to Division II in the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association.

"Our decision to make this move comes after much prayer, thought, consideration, and discussion with staff, faculty, coaches and board members," Matt Tiller, MTCS President said in a letter to MTCS stakeholders and families. "We believe this is a good move for our current MTCS family as well as those that will join us in the future. It will not only help us stay true to our values of educating students in Spirit, Mind, and Body but also enable us to improve the accessibility of the excellent Christian education we provide."

Based on new rules and guidelines established by TSSAA, the move to Division II will give MTCS the ability to offer need-based financial assistance for student athletes, which was previously prohibited under TSSAA rules.

"We believe sports and other extra-curricular activities play a vital role in Christian education. We will now be able to provide this opportunity to an increasing number of current and potential families," explained Tiller.

This new classification will go into effect with the 2017-2018 school year for a four year cycle.

Middle Tennessee Christian School is an independent school serving close to 700 students from Rutherford and surrounding counties in pre-school through the twelfth grade. Chartered in 1960, the school opened in the fall of 1962. MTCS is accredited by AdvancED, the Southern Association of Independent Schools, and the National Christian School Association.