NASPA School Word List

The School SCRABBLE Word List (SSWL) is the official word list used in School SCRABBLE competitions. It consists of those words that are acceptable in the regular Official Tournament and Club Word List (OTCWL) that are considered appropriate for school use.

The currently effective edition is the 2018 edition (SSWL2018).

Where to Find It

SSWL2018 will be available to NASPA members for electronic study and tournament adjudication purposes in the NASPA Zyzzyva program. School SCRABBLE competitors in the 2018-2019 season may apply for a complimentary season membership to gain access to this tool.

The word list is also available for personal use as a free download (password required) through NASPA Member Services.

SSWL is not currently available in printed form.

History

In the earliest days of School SCRABBLE, tournaments were adjudicated using paper dictionaries such as OTCWL, Long List and MWCD, supplemented with lists of words excluded as being inappropriate for the school community.

When Zyzzyva grew in popularity, ad hoc unlicensed electronic versions of word lists were prepared each year, and typically mislabelled as being editions of OSPD5.

Beginning in 2015, the NASPA Dictionary Committee formally named the word list it prepared the School SCRABBLE Word List (SSWL2015), and made it available in electronic form to licensed users of NASPA Zyzzyva.

In 2016, SSWL2016 was released, incorporating updates included by the NASPA Dictionary Committee in OTCWL2016.

In 2018, SSWL2018 was released, incorporating updates from OSPD6 and OTCWL2018.