Class 5A will split, crown 2 champions in each sport under new SCHSL realignment
The S.C. High School League’s realignment for the 2024-26 school year is starting to take shape.
The State obtained the parameters the SCHSL sent to member schools on Wednesday. Those parameters were set by the league and members of the reclassification/realignment committee, which has met four times since Oct. 18.
Some of the highlights recommended by the committee:
▪ Class 5A would have at least 52 schools but no more than 60. Class 5A also will be split by enrollment for all sports leading to two state championshipsbecause of the large number of schools coupled with the disparity of enrollment sizes within the classification.
▪ Class 4A shall have at least 38 schools but no more than 46.
▪ Class 3A shall have at least 38 schools and no more than 46.
▪ Class 2A shall have at least 36 schools and no more than 44.
▪ Class A shall have at least 42 schools and no more than 50.
▪ Geography and travel will be considered.
▪ Regions will be comprised of six or eight teams unless an odd number prohibits the same. They will be as close to six or eight schools as possible.
Realignment happens in the state every two years and is done to level the competitive playing field among schools. This year’s realignment is based on 45-day enrollment numbers from grades 9-11.
The new parameters would be different from when it was done for the 2022-24 school year. In that realignment, there were 36 schools in 5A, 41 in 4A, 43 in 3A, 44 in 2A and 55 in Class A.
This year’s realignment also will include a multiplier for the first time. The out-of-zone multiplier takes each student who lives outside of a school’s assigned attendance zone and counts them as three for total enrollment purposes. Such a move is expected to inflate a school’s official enrollment figure and — in some cases — raise that school up a level or two in classification for athletics.
This was done to level the competitive balance statewide.
Schools have until Thursday to confirm their 45-day enrollment figures. A first draft of the realignment is expected to be sent to schools no later than Dec. 19. Schools will have a chance to appeal its placement after that.
This story was originally published December 13, 2023 at 4:59 PM.
