COLUMBIA – The SCHSL (South Carolina High School League) has released its realignment classifications that will be in effect for 2026-2028 high schools in the state. The realignment is made every two years in an effort to level competition between high schools in the state.
Westwood High School is moving down from Class 5A to Class 4A for the upcoming 2026-2028 SCHSL cycle, based on enrollment figures showing their student population has dropped below the 5A threshold – specifically to 1,392.
While there isn’t one single minimum number, 5A encompasses the largest schools, with recent examples in South Carolina showing schools moving down from 5A having around 1,000-1,400 students, meaning 5A starts above that.
Blythewood High School will remain in the 5A classification with an enrollment of 1,829.
Westwood is joined by other Midlands schools like Irmo and Lugoff-Elgin in the move down, with final classification details set after appeals in January 2026.
Classification is based on 45-day enrollments for 9th-11th grades. An out-of-zone multiplier was also used by the SCHSL this year in determining classification. The multiplier counts each student who lives out of the school’s attendance zone three times to determine the school’s final enrollment.
Schools that want to appeal their new classifications must submit their appeals in writing to the SCHSL executive committee by 1 p.m., Jan. 7. Those appeals will be heard Jan. 13-14, and, if necessary, will be considered by an appellate panel Jan. 15-16.
Classification of schools is the initial phase of the realignment process. The next step will be to place the schools into regions in their respective classifications.
