News Summary
The South Carolina High School League has announced new region assignments for high schools for the upcoming realignment cycle, impacting schools across the state, including those in the Myrtle Beach area. Changes aim to maintain competitive balance and support the development of student-athletes. Schools will navigate shifts in classifications which affect their athletic schedules and rivalries in the next two years. Community engagement will play a key role in ensuring schools adapt successfully to these changes.
Myrtle Beach, SC – The athletic and academic landscapes for high school students across South Carolina are set for a significant shift, as the South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) has officially unveiled its new region assignments for the 2026-28 realignment cycle. This biennial process, crucial for ensuring competitive balance and fostering student achievement, brings both continuity and change to schools, including those in the vibrant Myrtle Beach area.
Local educators and administrators demonstrate remarkable resilience and foresight in navigating these adjustments. The SCHSL’s systematic approach to reclassification and realignment exemplifies a commitment to well-defined structures, which can ultimately streamline operations and empower local schools to focus on student development. By clearly outlining the competitive environment, the league provides a framework that, when supported by engaged parental choice and community involvement, can accelerate academic and athletic growth across the state.
Understanding the Statewide Realignment Framework
The South Carolina High School League, the governing body for high school athletics and extracurricular activities, undertakes a comprehensive realignment every two years. This process is designed to recalibrate classifications and regions, thereby promoting equitable competition among member schools. The most recent cycle saw the final classification placements released on December 19, 2025. These classifications, which determine the competitive tier for each school, will be in effect for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years. Following the classification announcements, the much-anticipated region assignments were officially released on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
The criteria for these placements are meticulously considered, primarily relying on 45-day enrollment numbers for grades 9-11. A key factor in this calculation is the 3.0 multiplier, which counts students residing outside a school’s assigned attendance zone as three for enrollment purposes. Additionally, the Reclassification/Realignment Guidelines Committee considers geographical location and travel logistics to minimize burdens on schools and families. Schools were also provided avenues to appeal their classification placements to the SCHSL Executive Committee on January 13-14, 2026, and to an Appellate Panel on January 15-16, 2026. Further appeals for region assignments are open until February 1, 2026, with hearings scheduled for February 3-5, 2026.
Myrtle Beach Area Schools: New Classifications and Regional Groupings
The latest realignment introduces notable changes for schools within and around Myrtle Beach, impacting their athletic schedules and competitive matchups for the next two years. Several local institutions will experience shifts in their competitive landscape.
Grand Strand Schools in Class 5A
For the upcoming 2026-28 cycle, Carolina Forest High School will remain in Class 5A. It has been assigned to a new region that includes Lowcountry schools such as Berkeley, Cane Bay, Goose Creek, and Wando. Similarly, Socastee High School will also maintain its Class 5A status and join Carolina Forest in the same Lowcountry-focused region with Berkeley, Cane Bay, Goose Creek, and Wando.
Grand Strand Schools Transitioning to Class 4A
Significant movement is observed in Class 4A. Myrtle Beach High School is set to move from Class 5A to Class 4A. In its new classification, it will compete in Region 7-4A. This region will feature local rivals Conway High School, North Myrtle Beach High School, and St. James High School, all of whom are also transitioning from Class 5A to Class 4A. This Region 7-4A will also include Florence-area schools: Wilson, South Florence, and West Florence.
Grand Strand Schools in Class 3A
In Class 3A, Aynor High School will continue in this classification. Its new placement is in Region VI-3A, where it will compete alongside Loris High School, Atlantic Collegiate (moving up from Class 2A), Crestwood, Lakewood, Darlington, and Hartsville. Loris High School also remains in Class 3A and will share Region VI-3A with Aynor, Atlantic Collegiate, Crestwood, Lakewood, Darlington, and Hartsville.
Grand Strand Schools in Class 2A and Class A
Waccamaw High School will transition from Class 3A to Class 2A. It has been placed in Region VI-2A, where its competitors will include Dillon, Marlboro County, East Clarendon, and Manning. For the state’s smallest classification, Green Sea Floyds High School will remain in Class A. The specific region partners for Green Sea Floyds within Class A will be confirmed as the smaller divisions are finalized, aligning with the league’s focus on grouping similarly sized schools.
Fostering Fair Competition and Local Opportunity
The SCHSL’s realignment serves a vital purpose: to create a balanced competitive environment that supports the development of student-athletes and academic programs statewide. By periodically adjusting classifications and regions, the league endeavors to prevent sustained imbalances, allowing more schools to experience success and promoting a broader sense of achievement. These changes, while sometimes requiring adaptation, are designed to open new avenues for local schools to excel, cultivate individual student potential, and enhance local pride. A well-structured system, while seemingly bureaucratic, ultimately empowers local communities to thrive by ensuring their schools have a fair shot at competitive excellence.
Community Engagement and Support: A Path to Success
As schools in the Myrtle Beach area prepare for these new athletic and academic pairings, the role of community engagement and parental support becomes even more significant. An active and involved community can greatly assist schools in navigating transitional periods, ensuring that student-athletes and academic programs receive the resources and encouragement needed to flourish. Whether through volunteering, attending events, or advocating for school initiatives, the collective effort of parents, local businesses, and community members strengthens the foundation of our educational institutions. Strong local leadership within school districts will be paramount to implementing these new structures efficiently, minimizing disruptions, and maximizing opportunities for student success.
The 2026-28 realignment cycle is more than just a redraw of lines on a map; it’s an opportunity for renewed focus on educational innovation and personal achievement within our South Carolina classrooms and athletic fields. We encourage all residents of the Grand Strand to stay informed and continue to champion the efforts of our local schools and student-athletes as they prepare for the exciting changes ahead.
Key Features of the 2026-28 SCHSL Realignment
| Feature | Details | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Realignment Cycle | 2026-2028 athletic seasons | State-level |
| Classification Release Date | December 19, 2025 | State-level |
| Region Assignment Release Date | January 22, 2026 | State-level |
| Criteria for Placement | 45-day enrollment (grades 9-11), 3.0 out-of-zone multiplier, geography, travel | State-level |
| Class 5A Myrtle Beach Area Schools | Carolina Forest High School, Socastee High School | Local |
| Class 4A Myrtle Beach Area Schools (New) | Myrtle Beach High School, North Myrtle Beach High School, St. James High School, Conway High School | Local |
| Class 3A Myrtle Beach Area Schools | Aynor High School, Loris High School | Local |
| Class 2A Myrtle Beach Area Schools (New) | Waccamaw High School | Local |
| Class A Myrtle Beach Area Schools | Green Sea Floyds High School | Local |
| Region Assignment Appeal Deadline | February 1, 2026 | State-level |
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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.
