For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 8,044 students in 29588, SC (there are 1 private school, serving 345 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in 29588, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in 29588, SC are Socastee High School, St. James Elementary School and Burgess Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Public schools in zipcode 29588 have an average math proficiency score of 53% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 60% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in 29588, SC have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of South Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Carolina public school average of 54% (majority Black).
Best 29588, SC Public Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
Socastee Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4223 Socastee Boulevard
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 650-2606
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 650-2606
Gr: PK-5 | 850 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #99.
Forestbrook Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4430 Gator Lane
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 236-7300
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 236-7300
Gr: 6-8 | 816 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
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 | 198 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in 29588, SC?
The top-ranked public schools in 29588, SC include Socastee High School, St. James Elementary School and Burgess Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in 29588?
10 public schools are located in 29588.
What percentage of students in 29588 go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in 29588 are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in 29588?
29588 public schools minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the South Carolina public schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.
