News Summary
Horry County’s education system is struggling with a rapid population growth, prompting plans for new schools to manage overcrowding. Recent census data shows significant enrollment increases, with existing schools operating beyond capacity, especially in the Carolina Forest area. As new facilities are being constructed, the district faces critical challenges in accommodating the needs of students and maintaining educational quality. The rise in student population has also led to an expansion in teaching staff, underscoring the urgency of developing sustainable educational infrastructure.
Horry County, South Carolina – Horry County’s education system is grappling with the challenges posed by rapid population growth, with plans for new schools to alleviate overcrowding amid an enrollment surge. The U.S. Census Bureau recently reported that Horry County experienced the 10th highest net migration in the nation in 2023, welcoming 15,061 new residents. This influx has led to significant increases in student enrollment, prompting the need for additional educational facilities.
Pine Island Elementary School, the newest addition to the expanding educational landscape in Horry County, is scheduled to open its doors in August 2025. Located at the intersection of Ronald McNair Boulevard and Christa McAuliffe Street, this establishment is part of a wider effort to accommodate the growing number of students. The need for new schools is underscored by the fact that over the last 15 academic years, Horry County Schools (HCS) registered an additional 10,000 new students, a figure that does not include those attending private and charter institutions.
Currently, six high schools within Horry County are either at or exceeding their capacity limits, raising urgent questions about the educational futures of new enrollees. The Carolina Forest area, in particular, has seen a drastic need for more educational resources, with four existing elementary schools reported to be over 110% capacity. While two new elementary schools are set to open in this area—bringing the total number in the Carolina Forest zone to seven—the pressing concern remains regarding high school accommodations, as there is only one high school nearby that is already at capacity.
The educational infrastructure in Horry County has been adapting to these challenges; since 2010, HCS has constructed 12 new schools at a cost of nearly $485.8 million. Enrollment data reflects a substantial rise, with K-12 average daily membership (ADM) climbing to 47,800 for the 2024-25 school year, up from 37,594 in the 2009-10 academic year. Capacity assessments have revealed that 23 of the district’s 49 schools are categorized as “Red Zone,” indicating they are at or beyond 95% capacity, and unable to accept new students.
Carolina Forest High School alone is currently functioning at over 127% capacity, while other high schools such as St. James, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Socastee are also facing similar challenges. This situation has prompted HCS officials to strategize on how best to manage growth; solutions may involve not only constructing new facilities but also possibly redrawing attendance lines to optimize the use of existing schools.
Furthermore, the increase in student population has necessitated a significant rise in teaching staff. Over the last decade, HCS has recruited nearly 900 new educators, growing from over 2,500 teachers in the 2010-11 school year to more than 3,400 by 2024-25. While this expansion is essential to providing quality education, school board members emphasize the importance of developing sustainable infrastructure that matches the community’s growth pace.
The common concern among parents, educators, and the community remains the impact of overcrowded schools on students’ educational outcomes and overall well-being. As enrollment continues its upward trajectory, maintaining an effective learning environment will be crucial to supporting the next generation of Horry County students.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Myrtle Beach Enforces Stricter Curfews and Fireworks Regulations for July 4th Weekend
Renovations Planned for Conway and Aynor High School Facilities
Lawsuit Filed Against Flight Training Academy Over Safety Concerns
Myrtle Beach Golf Community Unites for Hurricane Helene Recovery
Myrtle Beach Athletic Director on Leave Amid Controversy
Myrtle Beach High School Athletic Director Resigns
Myrtle Beach Athletic Director on Administrative Leave
Master Deputy Slusher Recognized as Lowcountry School Resource Officer of the Year
Myrtle Beach High School Athletic Director Steps Down
Myrtle Beach High School Athletic Director on Administrative Leave
Additional Resources
- My Horry News: Horry County Education Growth
- WMBF News: Parents Applaud Investigation
- WPDE: Horry County Schools Special Needs Investigation
- WMBF News: Investigation into Special Education Programs
- WPDE: Horry County Budget and Teacher Pay
- Wikipedia: Horry County, South Carolina
- Google Search: Horry County education
- Google Scholar: Horry County schools
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Horry County
- Google News: Horry County education news
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
