Im surprised the SCHSL's continued ability to F up High School Football in this state doesn't get more talk.
Information is starting to come out about the bi annual realignment of High School Sports. This article from the State has a little info.
The SC High School League’s realignment for the 2024-26 school year is starting to take shape.
The State has obtained the parameters the SCHSL sent to member schools on Wednesday. The 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 of the parameters are:
▪ Class 5A will 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 championships because of the large number of schools coupled with the disparity of enrollment sizes within the classification.
▪ Class 4A will have at least 38 schools but no more than 46
▪ Class 3A will have at least 38 schools and no more than 46.
▪ Class 2A will have at least 36 schools and no more than 44.
▪ Class A will 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. But it shall 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 are 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.
I dont know much about other classes but I have seen this proposal for 5A. I see in this that the multiplier has pushed Greenville HS to 5A. Also, Westside, Riverside, Wade Hampton, Easley and Boiling Springs have moved up in the Upstate. I'm not familiar with lower state schools who may have moved up. It will be interesting to see how the multiplier affects the 1-4A classifications.
schsl 5A.jpg
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