News Summary
While South Carolina boasts a commendable high school graduation rate, there is a troubling disparity for students in the foster care system, with only 44.8% graduating. This statistic highlights the need for targeted support and innovative solutions to address the unique challenges faced by these vulnerable children. Programs initiated by state agencies aim to improve educational outcomes and facilitate stability for foster youth, but the community also plays a critical role in fostering academic growth. This situation calls for ongoing engagement and advocacy to strengthen the educational landscape for all students.
Myrtle Beach, SC – While South Carolina celebrates a strong overall high school graduation rate, a closer look reveals a significant challenge facing some of the state’s most vulnerable students. As communities like Myrtle Beach strive for academic excellence and opportunity for all, understanding and addressing disparities is crucial for fostering a robust educational environment.
South Carolina’s public schools have achieved commendable success, with about 90% of eligible high schoolers graduating last year. This figure reflects the dedication of educators, administrators, and families across the state. However, beneath this positive statewide average lies a profound disparity for children in the foster care system, whose graduation rates are notably lower. Recognizing and responding to this gap presents an opportunity for innovative solutions, community engagement, and policies that prioritize individual student needs, ultimately strengthening the educational landscape for every child in our South Carolina classrooms.
The Graduation Gap for Foster Youth
The latest data indicates a significant challenge for students within the foster care system in South Carolina. For eligible students in foster care, the high school graduation rate stood at 44.8% in 2025. This rate is less than half of the state’s overall graduation rate, highlighting a critical area for focused effort and support. For additional context, the graduation rate for students experiencing homelessness in South Carolina was 69%. As of mid-December, 3,328 children were in foster care in South Carolina, a demographic that warrants targeted attention to ensure their academic success. Nationwide, studies indicate that only about half of the youth who spend time in foster care complete high school.
Understanding the Barriers to Academic Stability
The journey through the education system for children in foster care is often fraught with unique and profound challenges. Instability is a pervasive issue, with many foster children experiencing frequent placement changes that lead to multiple school transfers. This disruption impacts learning continuity and the ability to form consistent relationships with teachers and peers. Data shows that on average, one-third of foster children attend five or more schools. In fact, 95% of foster youth nationally experience at least one unscheduled school change per year, leading to gaps in learning, emotional distress, and social isolation. South Carolina, unfortunately, faces a high rate of foster care instability, with 26.6% of children in foster care experiencing three or more placements within 12 months, placing it among the highest nationally.
Beyond instability, students in foster care often contend with the trauma that led to their entry into the system, which can affect their attention, memory, and emotional regulation in the classroom. They may also face attendance hurdles due to court dates, family visits, health appointments, and transportation gaps. Missing records and credits, disciplinary disparities, and limited access to extracurricular activities further compound these difficulties. Students in foster care are three to four times more likely to experience exclusionary discipline and twice as likely to be chronically absent compared to their peers nationally. They are also nearly three times more likely to require special education services. These compounding factors underscore why educational stability is strongly linked to increased graduation rates.
State-Level Commitments and Support Programs
Recognizing these significant hurdles, state agencies in South Carolina have partnered to create programs and policies aimed at supporting the educational journeys of foster youth. The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) and the South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) have developed joint guidance to help local education and child welfare agencies collaborate. This initiative aims to ensure seamless school access, improved educational outcomes, and academic stability for students in foster care across the state. Essential provisions of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) are implemented, requiring immediate enrollment for foster youth and mandating that children remain in their original school unless a “Best Interest Determination” (BID) indicates otherwise. To facilitate this, every district in South Carolina is required to have a District Foster Care Liaison.
Furthermore, the SC DSS administers the Educational and Training Vouchers (ETV) program, providing grants of up to $5,000 per year for eligible youth with foster care experience pursuing post-secondary education, for up to five years or until their 26th birthday. The state also offers Independent Living Services through the Chafee Program, which prepares youth aged 14 to 21 for adulthood by providing support in education, employment, housing, transportation, and life skills. This includes assistance in obtaining a high school diploma, career exploration, and vocational training. These programs represent a significant investment in personal achievement and long-term well-being for foster youth in South Carolina.
Local Engagement and Innovative Partnerships
Beyond statewide mandates, local communities, including those around Myrtle Beach, play a pivotal role in fostering academic growth and stability. Initiatives that connect local schools with community organizations and private partnerships can provide tailored support that addresses the unique needs of foster youth. The Foster Care Community Challenge, a program of the South Carolina Foster Parent Association, aims to keep children within their school communities by encouraging school staff and parents to become licensed foster parents for children from their own schools. This innovative approach seeks to minimize the trauma of removal by maintaining familiar surroundings and trusted relationships. Local school districts supporting this initiative empower schools to take the lead in ensuring children do not lose both their home and their school environment.
Moreover, organizations like South Carolina Mentor Foster Care offer therapeutic foster care programs that specifically include support to help children succeed in school. The emphasis on skill development for foster parents and comprehensive case management highlights the importance of equipping caregivers with the resources needed to support academic progress. The involvement of groups like Youth Engagement Advocates (YEA!), which gives a voice to youth in foster care in policy and program development, underscores the value of personal experience in shaping more effective solutions. These local and grassroots efforts demonstrate how reduced bureaucracy and increased flexibility at the community level can lead to more responsive and impactful interventions.
Empowering Parental Choice and Academic Opportunity
The principle of parental choice in education, or the choice of a child’s legal guardian, is a powerful tool for ensuring that students, particularly those with unique circumstances like foster youth, receive an education that best fits their individual needs. School choice allows public education funds to follow students to the schools or services that are most appropriate for them, whether that be a public, private, charter, or home school setting. This flexibility is particularly relevant for foster youth who may benefit from specialized educational environments or smaller classroom settings where they can receive more personalized attention to address academic gaps or trauma-related challenges. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provisions, which prioritize keeping foster children in their school of origin when it is in their best interest, align with the goal of stability and parental choice by minimizing disruptive transitions.
While South Carolina has explored various avenues for school choice, including the Education Scholarship Trust Fund Program (which faced legal challenges) and existing tax credit programs for students with special needs, the ongoing conversation about expanding these options remains vital. Policies that empower families and guardians to select learning environments that cater to a child’s specific academic and emotional needs can lead to improved outcomes. Nationwide research has suggested that school choice programs can increase parent satisfaction and lead to higher graduation rates. By supporting systems that allow for educational innovation and choice, communities can contribute to an environment where every child, including those in foster care, has the opportunity to achieve their full academic potential.
Charting a Course for Enhanced Outcomes
The educational journey for children in foster care in South Carolina presents both significant challenges and profound opportunities for positive change. The disparity in graduation rates serves as a clear indicator that while statewide efforts are valuable, a continued focus on localized, flexible, and responsive solutions is essential. By emphasizing educational stability, leveraging community partnerships, and empowering families or guardians with meaningful educational choices, South Carolina can make substantial strides in ensuring that foster youth receive the support they need to thrive academically.
We encourage residents of Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas to stay informed about educational policies and initiatives that impact all students, especially those facing additional challenges. Supporting local schools, engaging with community organizations, and advocating for policies that promote innovation and individual student success are crucial steps toward building a brighter future for every child in our South Carolina classrooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the high school graduation rate for eligible students in foster care in South Carolina?
- The high school graduation rate for eligible students in foster care in South Carolina was 44.8% in 2025.
- How does this compare to the overall graduation rate in South Carolina?
- The overall graduation rate for eligible high schoolers in South Carolina last year was about 90%. The rate for kids in foster care is below 50%.
- How many children are in foster care in South Carolina?
- As of mid-December, there were 3,328 children in foster care in South Carolina.
- What are some key challenges foster youth face in their education?
- Foster youth often face challenges such as frequent school changes, trauma, housing insecurity, attendance hurdles, discipline disparities, missing academic records and credits, and limited access to extracurricular activities.
- What programs are available in South Carolina to support foster youth in higher education?
- The South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) administers the Educational and Training Vouchers (ETV) program, which provides up to $5,000 per year for up to five years or until age 26 for eligible youth pursuing post-secondary education. The Chafee Program also offers Independent Living Services to help youth prepare for adulthood.
- What is the Foster Care Community Challenge?
- The Foster Care Community Challenge is a program of the South Carolina Foster Parent Association that empowers school staff and parents to become licensed foster parents for children from their own school, aiming to keep children in familiar school communities when they enter foster care.
- Does South Carolina have school choice options relevant to foster youth?
- South Carolina has explored school choice initiatives, including the Education Scholarship Trust Fund Program (though it was ruled unconstitutional in 2024) and offers two tax credit programs for students with special needs. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) also allows for foster children to remain in their school of origin if it is in their best interest.
Key Features of Foster Youth Educational Support in SC
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Overall SC Graduation Rate | Approximately 90% of eligible high schoolers graduated last year. | State-level |
| Foster Youth Graduation Rate (SC) | 44.8% for eligible students in 2025. | State-level |
| Number of Children in Foster Care (SC) | 3,328 as of mid-December. | State-level |
| Foster Care Instability Rate (SC) | 26.6% of children experience three or more placements within 12 months, highest nationally. | State-level |
| Educational & Training Vouchers (ETV) Program | Provides up to $5,000 per year for eligible foster youth for post-secondary education, for up to 5 years or until age 26. | State-level |
| Independent Living Services (Chafee Program) | Supports youth aged 14-21 in foster care with education, employment, housing, transportation, and life skills. | State-level |
| Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Provisions | Ensures immediate enrollment and stability in the school of origin for foster youth. | Nationwide (implemented at State-level) |
| District Foster Care Liaisons | Every district in South Carolina has a dedicated liaison to ensure educational stability for foster children. | State-level |
| Foster Care Community Challenge | A program by SC Foster Parent Association encouraging school staff and parents to become foster parents for children from their own schools. | State-level |
| Youth Engagement Advocates (YEA!) | Advisory group for SC DSS ensuring youth voice in policy and program development. | State-level |
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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.
