Myrtle Beach, S.C. — Horry County Schools beat the state average on the 2025-26 South Carolina School Report Cards released Monday, Oct. 12, led by an on-time graduation rate of 91.8%.
That rate is up from 89.6% in 2025 and tops the statewide figure of 87.5%. The district says it is the highest graduation rate it has recorded since the current accountability system began in 2018. Early College High and Scholars Academy High both graduated 100% of their students.
By overall rating, 41 out of 52 district schools (78.8%) were rated as Excellent or Good, with 19 schools rated Excellent and 22 rated Good. Statewide, only 52.3% of schools reached that mark. No HCS schools were rated Unsatisfactory, and all 12 of the district high school options were rated Good or Excellent.
On SC READY testing, 67.8% of elementary and middle school students met or exceeded expectations in English Language Arts, compared to 61.5% statewide. In math, 53.6% of district students hit that same benchmark, versus the state figure of 47.8%.
Scholars Academy High School again earned the top report card score in the state, and Loris Middle School was recognized as one of the highest-growth schools in South Carolina. Superintendent Clifford Jones credited staff work on the Rise With Reading effort for the gains.
The district, which covers Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Socastee, Carolina Forest and five other attendance areas, has more than 47,000 students and is the third-largest school district in South Carolina.
