Six metro private schools have aligned to form the Independent Metro Athletic Conference (IMAC) for competition beginning in 2014-15.

Officials at Blake, Breck, Minnehaha Academy, Mounds Park Academy, Providence Academy and St. Paul Academy and Summit School announced in October the school would leave the Tri-Metro Conference.

The Trio-Metro had ballooned to 16 teams last fall when the Minnesota State High School League added Columbia Heights, Fridley and Holy Angels. Those three schools have enrollments in the 700 to 750 range, putting them among the largest in the conference.

""All six schools are excited about the possibilities of being in a smaller and more manageable conference," Mounds Park Academy activities director Joe Kordosky said in a press release.

According to other activities directors included in the press release, "Our IMAC member schools currently provide a wide range and large number of athletic offerings," Blake's Nick Rathmann said.

"In the IMAC, we will be able to ensure competitiveness, equitable promotion, and strong recognition for all our student-athletes across all sports," Minnehaha's Homar Ramirez said. "Forming the IMAC provides a level of scheduling flexibility, as well as an opportunity to honor all student-athletes in an equitable manner."