For the 2026 school year, there are 61 public schools serving 49,181 students in Horry County, SC (there are 16 private schools, serving 1,898 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Horry County, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Horry County, SC are Hcs Early College High School, St. James High School and Carolina Forest High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Horry County, SC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 50% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Horry County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of South Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the South Carolina public school average of 54% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Horry County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Hcs Early College High School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
2050 Highway 501 East Hgtc
Conway, SC 29528
(843) 349-3131
Conway, SC 29528
(843) 349-3131
Gr: 9-12 | 360 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #22.
St. James High School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
10800 Highway 707
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
(843) 650-5600
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
(843) 650-5600
Gr: 9-12 | 1,826 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #33.
Carolina Forest High School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
700 Gardner Lacy Road
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 236-7997
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 236-7997
Gr: 9-12 | 3,176 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #44.
North Myrtle Beach High School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3750 Sea Mountain Highway
Little River, SC 29566
(843) 399-6171
Little River, SC 29566
(843) 399-6171
Gr: 9-12 | 1,673 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #55.
Aynor High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
201 Jordanville Road
Aynor, SC 29511
(843) 488-7100
Aynor, SC 29511
(843) 488-7100
Gr: 9-12 | 901 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #66.
Conway High School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2301 Church Street
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 488-0662
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 488-0662
Gr: 9-12 | 1,724 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #77.
Socastee High School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4900 Socastee Boulevard
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 293-2513
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 293-2513
Gr: 9-12 | 1,720 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #88.
Myrtle Beach High School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3302 Robert Grissom Parkway
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 839-7148
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 839-7148
Gr: 9-12 | 1,510 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #99.
Ocean Bay Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
950 International Drive
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-8400
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-8400
Gr: PK-5 | 1,181 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1010.
Palmetto Academy Of Learning Motorsports (Palm)
Charter School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
826 West Cox Ferry Road
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 903-6600
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 903-6600
Gr: 9-12 | 195 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1111.
St. James Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
9711 St. James Road
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 650-8220
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 650-8220
Gr: PK-4 | 884 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1212.
Loris High School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
301 Loris Lions Road
Loris, SC 29569
(843) 390-6800
Loris, SC 29569
(843) 390-6800
Gr: 9-12 | 857 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1313.
Forestbrook Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4000 Panthers Parkway
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 236-8100
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 236-8100
Gr: PK-5 | 930 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1414.
Ocean Drive Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
901 11th Avenue North
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
(843) 663-0195
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
(843) 663-0195
Gr: PK-5 | 852 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1515.
Carolina Forest Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
285 Carolina Forest Boulevard
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 236-0001
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 236-0001
Gr: PK-5 | 1,336 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #1616.
Midland Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3011 Nichols Highway
Galivants Ferry, SC 29544
(843) 358-3036
Galivants Ferry, SC 29544
(843) 358-3036
Gr: PK-5 | 744 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1717.
Seaside Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1605 Woodland Drive
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
(843) 650-3490
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
(843) 650-3490
Gr: PK-4 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1818.
Burgess Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
9645 Scipio Lane
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 650-4600
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 650-4600
Gr: PK-4 | 697 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1919.
Kingston Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4580 Highway 472
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 365-3777
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 365-3777
Gr: PK-5 | 517 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #2020.
River Oaks Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
700 Augusta Plantation Drive
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-6300
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-6300
Gr: PK-5 | 1,426 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #2121.
Ocean Bay Middle School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
905 International Drive
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-8420
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-8420
Gr: 6-8 | 801 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #2222.
Lakewood Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1675 Highway 396
Myrtle Beach, SC 29575
(843) 650-6768
Myrtle Beach, SC 29575
(843) 650-6768
Gr: PK-5 | 866 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #2323.
Socastee Middle School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
151 Sheffield Road
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 903-6051
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 903-6051
Gr: 6-8 | 527 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2424.
Palmetto Academy Of Learning And Success Charter
Charter School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3021 Fred Nash Boulevard
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 293-1725
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 293-1725
Gr: K-8 | 320 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #2525.
St. James Intermediate
(Math: 53% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
9641 Scipio Lane
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 903-6005
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 903-6005
Gr: 5-6 | 883 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #2626.
Waterway Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
700 Sandridge Road
Little River, SC 29566
(843) 399-2204
Little River, SC 29566
(843) 399-2204
Gr: PK-5 | 912 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #2727.
Aynor Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
516 Jordanville Road
Aynor, SC 29511
(843) 488-7070
Aynor, SC 29511
(843) 488-7070
Gr: PK-5 | 781 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Palmetto Bays Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
8900 Highway 544
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 236-6200
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 236-6200
Gr: PK-5 | 556 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Ten Oaks Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
150 Revolutionary War Way
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 488-8896
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 488-8896
Gr: 6-8 | 1,264 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #3030.
Conway Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1101 Snowhill Drive
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 488-0696
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 488-0696
Gr: PK-5 | 583 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #3131.
St. James Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
9775 St. James Road
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 650-5543
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 650-5543
Gr: 7-8 | 913 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #3232.
Waccamaw Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
251 Claridy Road
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 347-4684
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 347-4684
Gr: PK-5 | 1,047 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #3333.
South Conway Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3001 Fourth Avenue
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 488-0272
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 488-0272
Gr: PK-5 | 642 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #3434.
Riverside Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1287 Highway 57 South
Little River, SC 29566
(843) 399-8800
Little River, SC 29566
(843) 399-8800
Gr: PK-5 | 697 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #3535.
North Myrtle Beach Middle School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
11240 Highway 90
Little River, SC 29566
(843) 399-6136
Little River, SC 29566
(843) 399-6136
Gr: 6-8 | 1,267 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Horry County, SC?
The top-ranked public schools in Horry County, SC include Hcs Early College High School, St. James High School and Carolina Forest High School.
How many public schools are located in Horry County?
61 public schools are located in Horry County.
What percentage of students in Horry County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Horry County are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Horry County?
Horry County public schools minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the South Carolina public schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Horry County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Horry County include: Ten Oaks Middle School vs. Ocean Bay Middle School, Whittemore Park Middle School vs. Conway Middle School, Socastee High School vs. St. James High School
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