Horry County South Carolina Schools and Educational Resources Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation

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Horry County Schools top national average on 2003 SAT scores. Click Here to view the results.

The Horry County School District is a county-wide school system, serving a county of 208,311 people along the Atlantic coastline of northeastern South Carolina. A twelve-member Board of Education, elected from single-member districts, governs the school district, with the chairman being elected at-large. The Superintendent is appointed by the Board.

The school district has nine attendance areas: Myrtle Beach, Carolina Forest, Conway, Socastee, North Myrtle Beach, Loris, Aynor, Green Sea Floyds and St. James. Each area consists of a high school and the elementary and middle schools that feed into it.

Number of schools

Total: 45

Primary/Elementary schools: 24

Middle schools: 9

High schools: 9

Career centers/Academy: 2

Alternative schools: 1

Enrollment (Spring 2004)

Total: 31,018

Pre-kindergarten: 772

Grades K-2 : 6,937

Grades 3-5 : 6,993

Grades 6-8 : 7,503

Grades 9-12: 8,813

Average daily attendance rate 96%

Horry County School district is the 3rd largest of the state's 85 school districts and has gained 6,6444 students during the last 12 years.

Ethnic distribution (students)

White: 69.25%

Black: 25.7%

Other: 5.05%

Class size

Grades 9-12: 23 student average

Grades 6-8: 22 student average

Grades 4-5: 24 student average

Grades 2-3: 21 student average

Grades 1: 20 student average

Kindergarten: 25 student average

High school students

Graduates attending college: 80%

2004 graduates: 1,546

2004 scholarships: $28.8 million

Employees (2003-2004)

Total number of full-time employees: 4,126

Classroom teachers: 2,073

Professional employees with advanced degrees: 1,616

Teacher salaries (2004-2005)

Bachelor's degree: $28,964 - $49,305

Bachelor's + 18 hrs. $30,280 - $51,180

Master's degree: $33,227 - $56,135

Master's + 30 hrs. $35,357 - $58,736

Doctorate: $38,304 - $66,859

Average salary: $39,744

County tax rate for schools (2004-05)
(Per thousand dollars of appraised value)

Primary residence: $1.77 per $1,000
(less than $100.000)

Primary residence: $2.92 per $1,000
(more than $100.000)

Automobiles: $10.76 per $1,000

The Property Relief Act exempts the first $100,000 of assessed value on a primary residence from any property taxes for schools.

Budget for schools (2004-2005 consolidated)

Revenue

Local: $151,428,041 - 49.62%

Intergovernmental Revenue: $18,819 - 0.01%

State: $105,029,759 - 34.41%

Federal: $23,976,430 - 7.86%

Other financing sources $24,733,345 - 8.10%

TOTAL: $305,186,394 - 100.00%

Expenditures

Instruction: $159,120,255 - 51.40%

Supporting Services: $94,427,772 - 29.53%

Community Services: $672,219 - 0.22%

Debt Services: $22,079,835 - 7.13%

Facilities & Construction Services:
$20,568,054 - 6.64%

Other Financing Sources:
$15,731,990 - 5.08%

TOTAL: $309,600,125 - 100.00%

Meals program

Elementary school lunch - $1.55

Middle and high school lunch - $1.65

Students receiving free/reduced lunches - 56%

Student testing

The Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test (PACT is state-mandated for grades 3 through 8. The district tests students in grade 1 and 2 for diagnostic purposes.

HCS implemented an innovative computer based testing program for grades 2-10 with tests in mathematics, language, and reading. MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) is aligned to state standards and gives the district a national comparison on student achievement.

End of course tests are given for English I, Algebra I/Math for the Technologies II, Physical Science, Biology I/Applied Biology II.

Students in kindergarten and first grade will be assessed throughout the year using a teacher-completed checklist of student skills in personal and social development, language and literacy, and mathematical thinking.

The High School Assessment Program, HSAP, is an exit exam that is administered during the 10th grade and is required for graduation.

School attendance
All children between 5 (by Sept. 1) and 17 must enroll in school. Schools operate 180 days a year. Students must attend at least 170 days to receive course or grade credit.

Registration
Contact the school district Planning Office at 488-6712 to find out which school your child will attend. You then visit the school to register your child. To register, you will need: a valid birth certificate, proof of immunization on a S. C. Certificate of Immunization form, documentation of Horry County residency, and a Social Security number for your child.

Special programs

The district serves academically gifted students beginning in 3rd grade through PELICAN, Honors and Advanced Placement programs.

The Scholars' Academy was created for the top one percent of ninth grade students. Based at Coastal Carolina University, students participate in college level and accelerated programs of study. Students may continue in the program until they exit high school.

Selected courses are available to high school students through the Internet.

The Collegiate Advanced Program of Study will offer the most academically advanced high school students an opportunity for rigorous courses in mathematics, science, and the humanities enabling them to earn college credit free of tuition.

A new career and technology center will offer 12 programs of study allowing students to earn college credit through advanced courses, earn two-year degrees, or enter immediate employment.

Students have the opportunity to participate in dual credit programs with Coastal Carolina University and Horry Georgetown Technical College to enable them to earn credits for high school and college.

A foreign language instructional program is offered in grade K-12.

After-school programs are available in most elementary schools. A fee is charged.

A comprehensive program of special education provides programs for more than 5,000 students.

An orchestra program is available for students in middle and high schools.

Alternative programs are available for students with disciplinary problems in grades 6-12. An alternative school is located near Conway.

All elementary schools have full day kindergarten classes. Child development classes for targeted 4-year-olds are available.

High schools athletics include football, basketball, baseball, track and field, softball, volleyball, wrestling, soccer, cheerleading, golf and tennis. Offerings vary by high school.

Other distinctions

Horry County Schools has been recognized as a national leader in technology. All classrooms are networked to the Internet. The ratio of students to computers is just over 5:1. The use of wireless labs is expanding.

In the last decade, the district has spent $275 million in new and renovated facilities. Nineteen new schools have been built and two new attendance areas have been established.

SAT scores are above the national average at 1031, five points above the national average and 42 points ahead of the state average.

HCS has district-wide Literacy and Numeracy models.

The district has developed an accountability system for the Board of Education, principals, assistant principals and district office staff to ensure performance.

School resource officers are available in middle and high schools.

A full-time drug and weapons canine team conducts frequent, unannounced inspections at middle and high schools.

Recent honors

Horry County Schools was one of only nine of the state's 85 districts to receive a State Report Card absolute rating of Excellent for student achievement. Of the 21 "Districts Like Ours," HCS was the only one to receive an Excellent rating.

86 percent of Horry County Schools received a rating of Excellent or Good compared to 52 percent statewide.

The class of 2004 earned over $28.8 million in college scholarship awards.

HCS high school students ranked above the national average earning college credit on Advanced Placement exams.

The SC Education Oversight Committee recognized schools throughout the state for significantly improving the performance of low achieving students. Fourteen of those schools were from Horry Countys.

Twenty schools received state honors as Palmetto Gold and Palmetto Silver award winners for academic improvement on the Palmetto Achievement Challenge Test.

88 HCS teachers hold National Board Certification (NBC).

One hundred percent of high school students who sought International Baccalaureate diplomas received them. HCS has the highest performing IB program in the state.

For seven consecutive years, the district was named a recipient of the What Parents Want Award presented by SchoolMatch.

Six schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education: The Academy for the Arts, Science & Technology (2002), Forestbrook Elementary (2001), St. James Middle (1996), Conway Middle (1993), Socastee High (1991), and Conway High (1986).

Eight of the district's primary, elementary and middle schools have been named Palmetto's Finest during the last 18 years.

In the last decade, the school district has had: the state's outstanding high school principal, distinguished elementary school principal, and middle school assistant principal of the year; the state's outstanding school superintendent; the state's top chemistry teacher, speech clinician, biology teacher, athletic director, technology teacher, adult ed teacher, dance teacher, Spanish teacher, health occupations teacher, hospitality & tourism teacher, vocational education teacher, student council adviser, American history teacher, FHA advisor, speech and hearing program, and teacher of autistic students.

The superintendent was named the Honor Administrator by the state's Music Educators Association and the Superintendent of the Year by the state's Athletic Association, and the Outstanding Superintendent of the Year by the S. C. School Boards Association.

Over 20,000 students participated in service learning projects, integrating curriculum goals with service to the community.

The Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International awarded HCS the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for the comprehensive annual budget.

Quick Facts was prepared by the Community Affairs Office of Horry County Schools
P.O. Box 260005, Conway, SC 28528-6005
Telephone (843) 488-6700 · FAX (843) 488-6722