South Carolina High School League Releases Region Assignments for 2026-28
SCHSL announced realignment for high school athletic regions.
The South Carolina High School League announced region assignments for the 2026-28 school years on Thursday. The realignment shifts schools throughout the state. Class A balloons to 70 members, making it the largest classification.
Aiken County's four Class AAAA programs stay put in the new Lower State Region 5-AAAA. Aiken, Midland Valley, North Augusta, and South Aiken will face two fresh opponents: Fox Creek, climbing up from Class AAA, and Irmo, dropping down from Class AAAAA.
Three area programs land in the new Lower State Region 4-AA. Horse Creek Academy, Silver Bluff, and Strom Thurmond team up with Lexington's American Leadership Academy, Orangeburg-Wilkinson, Pelion, and Saluda. Horse Creek Academy, which doesn't play football, jumps up from Class A. Silver Bluff and Orangeburg-Wilkinson descend from Class AAA.
Class A gets the most substantial overhaul. Five area programs will play in Class A, but they won't all share the same grouping. Ridge Spring-Monetta joins the new Upper State Region 2-A alongside Batesburg-Leesville, C.A. Johnson, Columbia's Clear Dot Charter, Eau Claire, and Whitmire.
Upper State Region 4-A resembles the current Region 3-A, minus Ridge Spring-Monetta. Barnwell, Blackville-Hilda, Calhoun County, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler, North, Wagener-Salle,y and Williston-Elko comprise the group.
Class A splits into Division 1 and Division 2 for playoffs in sports that have enough competing teams. This setup mirrors how Class AAAAA works now.
This marks the final realignment cycle for Barnwell, Blackville-Hilda, and Williston-Elko as separate schools. They will merge to become Barnwell County High School starting in 2028.
Programs can appeal their placement before the SCHSL executive committee. If appeals fail, schools can then submit them before the appellate panel. The new assignments kick in for the 2026, 2027, and 2028 school years.
