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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Horry County Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 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 76% 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 (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Hcs Early College High School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
2050 Highway 501 East Hgtc
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:
10/
10
Top 5%
10800 Highway 707
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
(843) 650-5600
Gr: 9-12 | 1,826 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #33.
Carolina Forest High School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
700 Gardner Lacy Road
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:
10/
10
Top 5%
3750 Sea Mountain Highway
Little River, SC 29566
(843) 399-6171
Gr: 9-12 | 1,673 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #55.
Aynor High School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
201 Jordanville Road
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:
10/
10
Top 10%
2301 Church Street
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 488-0662
Gr: 9-12 | 1,724 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #77.
Socastee High School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4900 Socastee Boulevard
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 293-2513
Gr: 9-12 | 1,720 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #88.
Myrtle Beach High School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3302 Robert Grissom Parkway
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(843) 839-7148
Gr: 9-12 | 1,510 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #99.
Palmetto Academy Of Learning Motorsports (Palm)
Charter School
(Math: 60-79% | Reading: 70-79%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
826 West Cox Ferry Road
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 903-6600
Gr: 9-12 | 195 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1010.
Loris High School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
301 Loris Lions Road
Loris, SC 29569
(843) 390-6800
Gr: 9-12 | 857 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1111.
Green Sea Floyds High School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4990 Tulip Grove Road
Green Sea, SC 29545
(843) 392-3131
Gr: 6-12 | 693 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: n/an/a
Academy For Arts/science/technology
Vocational School
Magnet School
895 International Drive
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
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Atlantic Collegiate Academy
Charter School
5086 Bear Bluff Road
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 286-5990
Gr: 9-12 | 502 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: n/an/a
Carolina Shores Acceleration Academy
9654 N. Kings Hwy Unit 2 First
Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
(872) 529-2024
Gr: 9-12 | 277 students Student-teacher ratio: 35:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: n/an/a
Coastal High School
Charter School
3710 Palmetto Pointe Boulevard
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 788-9898
Gr: 9-12 | 198 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: n/an/a
Hcs Scholars Academy High School
642 Century Circle
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 349-4117
Gr: 9-12 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 24%

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?

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