By Thomas Grant Jr.
The newly-released classification placement of S.C. High School League schools changes little for Chapin High School during the 2026-28 school years.
Its enrollment numbers will keep the Lexington/Richland School District Five school competing in Class 5A. Next season, the classification will have just one division.
Other schools around Chapin will be affected such as fellow District Five school Irmo. It’s expected to move down to Class 4A.
Fellow Lexington County school Gray Collegiate is also slated to move up to Class 5A.
The West Columbia school’s student number count is based on a 3.0 multiplier added for each student who lives outside the school’s assigned attendance.
School will have until Jan. 7 to submit their appeals to the Executive Committee. It will hear those appeals Jan. 13-14 and, if necessary, go before an appellate panel Jan. 15-16.
2026-28 S.C. HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE FINAL REALIGNMENT
CLASS 5A
1. Dorman High 2,929
2. Summerville High 2,729
3. Carolina Forest High 2,635
4. James F Byrnes High 2,547
5. Spring Valley High 2,336
6. Boiling Springs High 2,197
7. West Ashley High 2,177
8. Wando High 2,147
9. Mauldin High 2,143
10. Lexington High 2,132
11. Stratford High 2,087
12. Ashley Ridge High 2,056
13. James Island Charter High 2,013
14. Wade Hampton High 1,962
15. Cane Bay High 1,961
16. River Bluff High 1,958
17. West Florence High 1,877
18. Fort Dorchester High 1,871
19. Berkeley High 1,830
20. Blythewood High 1,829
21. Spartanburg High 1,812
22. J.L. Mann High Academy 1,793
23. Sumter High 1,764
24. Rock Hill High 1,753
25. Socastee High 1,752
26. Hillcrest High 1,747
27. R.B. Stall High 1,740
28. Eastside High 1,717
29. Dutch Fork High 1,708
30. South Florence High 1,708
31. Fort Mill High 1,681
32. Woodmont High 1,675
33. Gray Collegiate Academy 1,640
34. Ridge View High 1,630
35. Chapin High 1,628
36. White Knoll High 1,610
37. Northwestern High 1,571
38. Goose Creek High 1,566
39. Indian Land High 1,540
40. Lucy Garrett Beckham High 1,458
