News Summary
The South Carolina High School League has announced significant changes to high school sports classifications, impacting schools statewide, including those in Myrtle Beach. The new realignment aims to foster balanced competition and enhance student-athlete development. Notable adjustments include the reduction of Class 5A schools and the expansion of Class A. These changes will reshape local rivalries and competitive pathways, creating new opportunities for success. An appeals process is in place for schools to contest their classification placements, emphasizing a commitment to fair play and community engagement.
Myrtle Beach, SC: SC High School Sports Undergo Major Realignment
South Carolina’s high school athletic landscape is set for a significant transformation with the latest realignment plan unveiled by the South Carolina High School League (SCHSL). These comprehensive changes, which will redefine athletic classifications for the next two academic years, are poised to foster an environment of balanced competition and heightened student-athlete development across the state, impacting our local Myrtle Beach SC schools and communities. The structured approach by the SCHSL reflects a commitment to ensuring fair play and providing opportunities for every student to excel, aligning with principles that value individual effort within a clear and well-regulated framework.
This biennial process by the SCHSL underscores an ongoing dedication to adapt and innovate, ensuring that athletic programs remain robust and beneficial for all participants. By thoughtfully adjusting classifications, the league aims to enhance the competitive landscape, ultimately benefiting student growth and fostering a stronger sense of local pride in athletic accomplishments. Such realignments, while administrative in nature, have profound implications for teams, coaches, and families, highlighting the dynamic efforts to support athletic and academic success.
Understanding the Biennial Realignment Process
The South Carolina High School League undertakes a realignment process every two years with the primary goal of maintaining competitive balance and creating a more equitable playing field across its member schools. These significant changes are scheduled to take effect at the start of the 2026 academic year and will remain in effect for two years, covering the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years. The methodology behind these placements is meticulously crafted, primarily based on 45-day enrollment numbers from grades 9-11.
A key component of this process is the utilization of an out-of-zone multiplier. This mechanism counts any student who lives outside a school’s assigned attendance zone as three for total enrollment purposes. This multiplier is designed to address factors influencing school populations beyond traditional geographic boundaries, promoting competitive equity. Furthermore, the Reclassification/Realignment Guidelines Committee also considered factors such as flexibility, geography, and travel in its school placements. The final classification placements for all schools were formalized around December 19-20, 2025.
Significant Shifts in the Classification Landscape
The latest realignment introduces notable adjustments across several classifications within South Carolina high school sports. One of the most prominent changes affects Class 5A, the state’s largest classification. It will be reduced from 54 schools to 40. Crucially, Class 5A will return to a single classification after being split into two divisions for championships in all sports during the previous two years, meaning all 40 schools will now compete for one state title. This consolidation is intended to intensify competition at the highest level.
Conversely, Class A, which comprises the state’s smallest schools, is expanding. It now has the highest number of schools, with 66, an increase from 50 in the last realignment. There is a possibility that Class A playoffs could be split into two divisions on a sport-by-sport basis, particularly for sports with at least 45 competing programs such as boys and girls basketball, baseball, and softball. This potential split aims to ensure fair competitive opportunities even within the smallest school classification, acknowledging the diversity in school sizes and resources.
Key Movers and Local Impact on Myrtle Beach SC Schools
Several high-profile programs are undergoing significant classification changes, which are expected to have a major impact on playoff contention and regional rivalries. Among the most notable shifts is Gray Collegiate moving up to Class 5A. This public charter program was in Class 4A in the most recent realignment and Class 2A prior to that. The War Eagles recently opened a second campus in Irmo, contributing to their increased enrollment figures. This upward movement places them among the state’s largest schools, setting the stage for new competitive challenges.
For our local Myrtle Beach SC schools, several familiar names will see changes. Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Conway, and St. James are among the schools moving down from Class 5A to Class 4A. This adjustment will reshape local athletic rivalries and competitive pathways for student-athletes in the Grand Strand area, potentially creating new opportunities for success within their new classification. Other significant movements include South Florence moving up from Class 4A to Class 5A. Schools such as Irmo, T.L. Hanna, Westwood, Catawba Ridge, Nation Ford, and Gaffney are also moving down from Class 5A to 4A. Legion Collegiate, based in Rock Hill, is re-entering the SCHSL and will compete in Class 4A, while Lake Wylie High School, opening in 2026, will also join Class 4A.
In Class 3A, several schools, including Airport, Camden, Hartsville, Emerald, Darlington, Lower Richland, and Gilbert, are moving down from Class 4A. Oceanside Collegiate, another charter school, will remain in Class 3A. Legacy Early College, located in Greenville, will enter the league in Class 3A in 2026, though it will be ineligible for championships in its inaugural year. Dillon is among the schools moving down from Class 3A to Class 2A, alongside Mountain View Prep, Clinton, Keenan, and Newberry. A host of schools, including Andrews, Barnwell, Batesburg-Leesville, Cheraw, Chesterfield, Hampton County, Kingstree, Marion, Mullins, North Central, Fairfield Central, and Eau Claire, are moving down from Class 2A into the new-look Class A.
A System of Accountability: The Appeals Process
Understanding that reclassification can have significant logistical and competitive implications for schools, the SCHSL has established a clear appeals process. Schools have the opportunity to appeal their class placement to the SCHSL Executive Committee. Written appeals must be submitted by January 7, 2026. These appeals will then be heard by the Executive Committee on January 13-14, 2026, with provisions for a second appeal if needed on January 15-16, 2026.
Following the resolution of classification appeals, region placements will be determined and subsequently released around January 23, 2026. Schools will also have the opportunity to appeal these region assignments, with further appeals to the classification executive committee slated for February 3-5, 2026, and to the SCHSL Executive Committee on February 10, 2026, with an Appellate panel hearing on February 12, 2026. This multi-tiered appeals process underscores the league’s commitment to fairness and local input, allowing schools to voice concerns and seek adjustments based on their unique circumstances, a testament to effective governance and responsiveness.
Fostering Student-Athlete Development and Community Engagement
The core objective behind the SCHSL’s realignment efforts extends beyond mere administrative categorization; it aims to profoundly benefit student-athlete development across the state. By fostering fair play and competitive excellence through thoughtfully balanced classifications, the league helps ensure that individual talent, hard work, and team cohesion are the primary determinants of success on the field and court. This environment encourages young people to strive for personal achievement, learn valuable life lessons in teamwork and perseverance, and develop strong character.
Furthermore, these realignments have a significant impact on community engagement. They often lead to the formation of new rivalries and reinvigorate existing ones, creating heightened excitement and school spirit within neighborhoods, including our Myrtle Beach SC communities. As schools adjust to new competitive landscapes, there is an opportunity for increased parental involvement, local business partnerships, and overall community support for athletic programs. This collaborative spirit, where local educators, parents, and community members rally behind their student-athletes, is a powerful force for positive development, reflecting the enduring value of grassroots support in education and sports.
Conclusion
The South Carolina High School League’s latest classification realignment marks a pivotal moment for high school sports throughout the state, including the dynamic landscape of Myrtle Beach SC schools. These carefully considered changes, taking effect in the 2026 academic year, are designed to enhance competitive balance, promote student-athlete development, and foster robust community engagement. By embracing these adjustments and the opportunities they present, our local schools can continue to cultivate environments where young athletes thrive, both on and off the playing field. We encourage all residents to stay engaged with their local high school sports programs and support the student-athletes who represent our communities with dedication and spirit.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) realignment plan?
- The SCHSL realignment plan is a new set of classifications for high school sports across South Carolina, designed to group schools based on enrollment parameters for fair competition. These changes are scheduled to take effect at the start of the 2026 academic year and will be in effect for two years.
- When will these new classifications take effect?
- These new classifications will take effect at the start of the 2026 academic year and will be in effect for two years, covering the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years.
- How are schools classified in the SCHSL realignment?
- Schools are classified primarily based on their 45-day enrollment numbers from grades 9-11. A key factor is the out-of-zone multiplier, where any student living outside a school’s assigned attendance zone is counted as three for total enrollment purposes. Flexibility, including geographic and travel considerations, is also used.
- What are some of the biggest changes in the new realignment?
- One of the biggest changes is that Gray Collegiate is moving up to Class 5A. Class 5A will also be reduced from 54 schools to 40 and will return to a single classification, with all 40 schools playing for one title. Class A now has the most schools, with 66, and could be split into two playoff divisions for certain sports.
- Which local Myrtle Beach SC schools are affected?
- Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Conway, and St. James are among the schools moving down from Class 5A to Class 4A.
- Is there an appeals process for the new classifications?
- Yes, schools have the opportunity to appeal their class placement to the SCHSL Executive Committee. Written appeals must be submitted by January 7, 2026, with appeal hearings scheduled for January 13-14, 2026. Appeals for region placements will follow later in February 2026.
Key Features of the SCHSL Realignment (State-level)
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Effective Dates | Begins at the start of the 2026 academic year, in effect for two years (2026-27 and 2027-28 school years). |
| Purpose | To maintain competitive balance and create a more equitable playing field for high school sports across South Carolina. |
| Classification Basis | Primarily based on 45-day enrollment numbers from grades 9-11. |
| Out-of-Zone Multiplier | Students living outside a school’s assigned attendance zone are counted as three for enrollment purposes. |
| Class 5A Changes | Reduced from 54 schools to 40, returning to a single classification for championships. |
| Class A Changes | Now has the most schools (66), up from 50, and may split playoffs into two divisions for certain sports. |
| Notable School Movement | Gray Collegiate is moving up to Class 5A. Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Conway, and St. James are moving from Class 5A to Class 4A. |
| Appeals Process | Schools can appeal classification placement by January 7, 2026, with hearings scheduled for January 13-14, 2026. Region placement appeals follow in February 2026. |
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Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
