For the 2025 school year, there are 17 public high schools serving 15,438 students in Horry County, SC.
The top ranked public high 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 high schools have an average math proficiency score of 69% (versus the South Carolina public high school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 84% (versus the 77% statewide average). High schools in Horry County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 10% of South Carolina public high schools.
Horry County, SC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 82%, which is less than the South Carolina average of 84%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Hcs Early College High School, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in South Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the South Carolina public high school average of 52% (majority Black).
Best Public High Schools in Horry County (2025)
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 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
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 | 1,880 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
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 | 3,181 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
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 | 1,654 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
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 | 878 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
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 | 1,711 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
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 | 1,712 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
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 | 1,595 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #99.
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 | 190 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1010.
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 | 864 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1111.
Green Sea Floyds High School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4990 Tulip Grove Road
Green Sea, SC 29545
(843) 392-3131
Green Sea, SC 29545
(843) 392-3131
Gr: 6-12 | 695 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: n/an/a
Academy For Arts/science/technology
Vocational School
Magnet School
Magnet School
895 International Drive
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-8460
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-8460
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Academy For Technology And Academics
Vocational School
5639 Highway 701 North
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 488-6600
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 488-6600
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Atlantic Collegiate Academy
Charter School
557 George Bishop Parkway
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 286-5990
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 286-5990
Gr: 9-12 | 281 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: n/an/a
9654 N. Kings Hwy Unit 2 First
Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
(872) 529-2024
Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
(872) 529-2024
Gr: 9-12 | 56 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: n/an/a
Coastal High School
Charter School
3710 Palmetto Pointe Boulevard
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 788-9898
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 788-9898
Gr: 9-12 | 215 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: n/an/a
642 Century Circle
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 349-4117
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 349-4117
Gr: 9-12 | 184 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Horry County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
The Career Center (Closed 2008)
Vocational School
335 Four Mile Rd.
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 365-5534
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 365-5534
Gr: 11-12 | 274 students Minority enrollment: 29%
700 Gardner Lacy Rd.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 236-7997
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 236-7997
Gr: 6-8 | 1,370 student Minority enrollment: 26%
620 29th Avenue North
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 448-1774
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 448-1774
Gr: 2-3 | 621 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
3301 Oak Street
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 626-5831
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 626-5831
Gr: 4-5 | 740 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
612 29th Avenue North
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 448-1658
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 448-1658
Gr: PK-1 | 778 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public high schools in Horry County, SC?
The top ranked public high schools in Horry County, SC include Hcs Early College High School, St. James High School and Carolina Forest High School.
How many public high schools are located in Horry County?
17 public high schools are located in Horry County.
What is the racial composition of students in Horry County?
Horry County public high schools minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the South Carolina public high schools average of 52% (majority Black).
Which public high schools in Horry County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Horry County include: Socastee High School vs. St. James High School, St. James High School vs. Socastee High School, Conway High School vs. Carolina Forest High School
Recent Articles

Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.

When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?

When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.