Horry County Schools & Education
Horry County, South Carolina
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
32/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
83.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
83.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 84.2%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,290
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,165
School Score
32/100
Higher = better
State avg 33/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#26
of 46 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Horry County
School Verdict
Horry County faces educational challenges with a school score of 32/100 and a graduation rate of 83.0%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $7,290 per pupil, Horry County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Horry County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 3% below the South Carolina average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 1.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 2% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Horry County, South Carolina
A Massive Coastal Education Infrastructure
Horry County operates a large-scale system of 57 public schools serving a significant population of 47,357 students. This extensive network includes 30 elementary schools, 13 middle schools, and 14 high schools across a single massive district.
Navigating Growth and Student Achievement
The county's graduation rate stands at 83.0%, trailing both the state average of 84.2% and the national 87% benchmark. Spending remains efficient at $7,290 per pupil, which is just slightly above the South Carolina average of $7,165.
One District Serving the Entire Region
The Horry 01 district manages all 57 schools in the county, incorporating four charter schools that account for 7% of the total school count. This structure allows the district to maintain diverse options while leveraging the resources of a high-enrollment system.
From Urban Centers to Suburban High Schools
Schools here vary widely, from suburban campuses to city-based facilities, with an average enrollment of 861 students. Major campuses like Carolina Forest High serve over 3,000 students, offering a large-scale collegiate atmosphere for local teenagers.
Join a Dynamic Coastal School System
Horry County is ideal for families seeking the diverse extracurricular and academic opportunities that only large districts can provide. As you browse homes, the proximity to specialized high schools like St. James or Socastee remains a top priority for local buyers.
School Overview
Total Schools
57
in Horry County
Total Enrollment
47,357
students
School Districts
1
district
Charter Schools
4
7% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
1 School District in Horry County
Horry 01
57 Public Schools in Horry County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina Forest High | Horry 01 | 9–12 | High | 3,059 |
| St. James High | Horry 01 | 9–12 | High | 1,837 |
| Socastee High | Horry 01 | 9–12 | High | 1,719 |
| Conway High | Horry 01 | 9–12 | High | 1,713 |
| North Myrtle Beach High | Horry 01 | 9–12 | High | 1,643 |
| Myrtle Beach High | Horry 01 | 9–12 | High | 1,633 |
| River Oaks Elementary | Horry 01 | PK–5 | Primary | 1,314 |
| North Myrtle Beach Middle | Horry 01 | 6–8 | Middle | 1,286 |
| Carolina Forest Elementary | Horry 01 | PK–5 | Primary | 1,246 |
| Ten Oaks Middle | Horry 01 | 6–8 | Middle | 1,134 |
| Myrtle Beach Middle | Horry 01 | 6–8 | Middle | 1,124 |
| Ocean Bay Elementary | Horry 01 | PK–5 | Primary | 1,054 |
| Myrtle Beach Elementary | Horry 01 | 3–5 | Primary | 1,042 |
| Waccamaw Elementary | Horry 01 | PK–5 | Primary | 993 |
| St. James Middle | Horry 01 | 6–8 | Middle | 920 |
| Whittemore Park Middle | Horry 01 | 6–8 | Middle | 892 |
| Aynor High | Horry 01 | 9–12 | High | 882 |
| Forestbrook Elementary | Horry 01 | PK–5 | Primary | 881 |
| Lakewood Elementary | Horry 01 | PK–5 | Primary | 880 |
| Loris High | Horry 01 | 9–12 | High | 875 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,290
State avg $7,165
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Horry County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Horry County?
How much does Horry County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Horry County, South Carolina — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Horry County, South Carolina?
Horry County operates a large-scale system of 57 public schools serving a significant population of 47,357 students. This extensive network includes 30 elementary schools, 13 middle schools, and 14 high schools across a single massive district.
How do schools in Horry County perform academically?
The county's graduation rate stands at 83.0%, trailing both the state average of 84.2% and the national 87% benchmark. Spending remains efficient at $7,290 per pupil, which is just slightly above the South Carolina average of $7,165.
What are the major school districts in Horry County, South Carolina?
The Horry 01 district manages all 57 schools in the county, incorporating four charter schools that account for 7% of the total school count. This structure allows the district to maintain diverse options while leveraging the resources of a high-enrollment system.
What is the school experience like in Horry County?
Schools here vary widely, from suburban campuses to city-based facilities, with an average enrollment of 861 students. Major campuses like Carolina Forest High serve over 3,000 students, offering a large-scale collegiate atmosphere for local teenagers.
How can I find homes near good schools in Horry County, South Carolina?
Horry County is ideal for families seeking the diverse extracurricular and academic opportunities that only large districts can provide. As you browse homes, the proximity to specialized high schools like St. James or Socastee remains a top priority for local buyers.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.