News Summary
This article highlights the remarkable contributions of dedicated educators such as Janice Carol Cooney, who served Horry County Schools for 26 years. It discusses the importance of teacher dedication in shaping students’ futures and the initiatives in place to support educational innovation and parental choice in the region. The ongoing commitment to academic excellence and community engagement showcases the promising future of education in Horry County.
Myrtle Beach, SC
Honoring Dedicated Educators: A Look at Horry County’s Enduring Commitment to Learning
Janice Carol Cooney’s 26 years of service exemplify the foundational impact of devoted teachers on Myrtle Beach area students and schools, highlighting a tradition of educational dedication in the region.
Myrtle Beach and the wider Horry County region are fortunate to have a rich history of dedicated educators who have shaped generations of students. The commitment of individuals like Janice Carol Cooney, who dedicated 26 years of her professional life to Horry County Schools, underscores the invaluable role that stable and passionate teaching staff play in fostering academic growth and building strong communities. Her tenure, spanning from 1971 to 1997, at Twelfth Avenue Elementary, Conway Elementary, and Conway Middle schools, represents a significant period of consistent influence on local classrooms and the young minds within them.
Such sustained contributions are a testament to the personal initiative and resilience found within our local educational system. As Horry County continues to grow and evolve, recognizing and celebrating these foundational efforts provides a crucial perspective on the ongoing journey to refine and improve our schools. Embracing themes of educational innovation, parental choice, and efficient governance can further empower our educators and enhance student outcomes, building upon the strong foundations laid by teachers like Ms. Cooney.
The Enduring Legacy of Devoted Educators
Janice Carol Cooney served as a dedicated educator in Horry County Schools for 26 years, from 1971 to 1997. Her career included teaching at Twelfth Avenue Elementary, Conway Elementary, and Conway Middle schools. The long-term commitment of teachers like Ms. Cooney provides stability and continuity within school communities, fostering environments where students can thrive through consistent mentorship and guidance. This dedication from individual educators is a cornerstone of a robust educational system, contributing significantly to the academic and personal development of students over several decades.
Empowering Parental Choice and Community Engagement in Horry County Education
In South Carolina, efforts to empower parents and foster community involvement are increasingly recognized as vital components of a thriving educational landscape. The South Carolina Department of Education offers various public school options, including Magnet Schools, Public Charter Schools, Virtual Education, and Residential School Choice, though the availability of these options can vary by school district. District School Choice programs enable students to attend a public school within their district other than their assigned zoned school, with district policies and availability determining access, and parents typically manage transportation.
A significant state-level initiative, the Education Scholarship Trust Fund Program, signed into law in Spring 2023, aims to provide eligible low- and moderate-income families with up to $6,000 per eligible student annually for education-related expenses, including tuition at private schools or transfers between public schools. This program was established with the intent to enhance students’ and public schools’ academic performance and reduce disagreements over education policy, although it has faced legal challenges and was ruled unconstitutional in 2024. Horry County Schools actively supports parental involvement through its Parent & Family Engagement Policy, which encourages and values family participation in children’s educational experiences to improve academic achievement and school performance. This policy offers strategies such as parenting classes, home visitation opportunities, and adult education programs, and encourages parents to join school committees and volunteer.
Academic Achievement and Innovation in Myrtle Beach SC Schools
Horry County Schools is committed to a vision of being a premier, world-class school system that ensures every student receives an excellent education. This commitment is evident in the district’s strong academic performance and its embrace of innovative educational programs. Horry County Schools has consistently demonstrated high academic standards, with students outperforming the state average on all state summative assessments in 2024-2025. Notably, 64% of Horry County Schools’ 3rd through 8th graders achieved the highest performance levels on the SC Ready ELA assessment in 2024-2025, marking the highest percentage recorded in the county over the past decade.
The district also excels in preparing students for post-secondary success. In 2024-2025, 76.2% of Horry County Schools’ third-year high school students earned their College-and-Career Readiness credential, which is 7 percentage points higher than the state average. Furthermore, the on-time graduation rate for Horry County Schools reached 89.6% in 2025, an increase from 86.3% in 2024, surpassing the state’s average of 86.7% and representing the highest rate recorded since the current accountability system was implemented in 2018. Of the 2025 graduating class, 82.5% were identified as college- or career-ready, an increase from the previous year. Horry County Schools seniors also demonstrated superior performance on the SAT, achieving an average composite score of 1033, which is 24 points higher than the state average composite of 1009. In 2025, state report cards rated 38 out of 57 Horry County Schools as either “Excellent” or “Good,” a proportion higher than the statewide average of 47.6% of schools receiving these top ratings. The HCS Scholars Academy High School was recognized as the number one high school in the state on last year’s report card.
Streamlining for Success: Fostering Academic Growth Through Efficient Governance
An efficiently run educational system, characterized by streamlined administrative processes and a focus on local control, can significantly enhance academic growth within South Carolina classrooms. Historically, the governance structure in South Carolina has evolved, with the Home Rule Act of 1975 leading to counties and their school districts becoming largely self-governing. This shift allows local school district boards of trustees to directly manage crucial aspects such as providing school buildings, employing teachers and setting their salaries, establishing scholastic standards, and determining the academic calendar. Superintendents, principals, and other district administrators are responsible for executing the policies set by these local school boards.
Discussions at the national level, such as proposals to reconsider the cabinet status of the U.S. Department of Education, highlight a perspective that a reduced federal footprint could decrease taxpayer burden and empower state and local governments to play a greater role in education funding and allocation. Advocates suggest this could allow for more responsive and locally tailored educational solutions. Within Horry County Schools, policies like providing elementary teachers with at least 30 minutes of “unencumbered time” daily exemplify efforts to support teacher autonomy. This self-directed time, free from assigned duties, is designed to allow educators to focus on preparation and individual professional needs, and can only be withheld under extreme or unavoidable circumstances. Such measures underscore a commitment to empowering teachers and optimizing their capacity to deliver high-quality instruction without unnecessary administrative burdens.
Historical Context: Evolution of Horry County Education
Understanding the present and future of education in Horry County benefits from a look at its past. Horry County schools fully desegregated in 1970. The period of Ms. Cooney’s early teaching career coincided with a challenging era for South Carolina education; in the 1980s and 1990s, students across the state recorded the lowest scores nationally on the SAT examination, leading to concerns about a “softening” of curriculum and lowered academic expectations in some areas. This historical context provides a backdrop against which the current academic achievements and innovative programs in Horry County Schools can be appreciated. Today, the district’s dedication to personalized learning, technology integration, and robust community engagement marks a significant evolution in its educational approach, aiming to provide diverse pathways for every student.
A Vision for Continued Excellence
The legacy of committed educators like Janice Carol Cooney, combined with current initiatives in educational innovation, parental choice, and efficient governance, paints a promising picture for the future of Horry County education. The district’s proactive approach to personalized learning, community partnerships, and a focus on academic achievement demonstrates a clear path toward continued excellence. By supporting local schools, engaging in educational policy discussions, and recognizing the efforts of our dedicated teaching professionals, the Myrtle Beach community can collectively ensure that every student has the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential and contribute to a flourishing society.
Frequently Asked Questions about Horry County Schools and Education
- What was Janice Carol Cooney’s contribution to Horry County Schools?
- Janice Carol Cooney taught for 26 years in Horry County Schools from 1971 to 1997, at Twelfth Avenue Elementary, Conway Elementary, and Conway Middle schools.
- What options are available for parental choice in South Carolina schools?
- In South Carolina, students have a number of public school options including Magnet Schools, Public Charter Schools, Virtual Education, and Residential School Choice, with the amount of choice varying from one school district to another. District School Choice allows students to attend a public school, other than their zoned school but within their school district, in accordance with district policy and availability.
- How does Horry County Schools support personalized learning?
- Horry County Schools has systematically rolled out personalized learning across all its schools, focusing on targeted small group instruction, collaboration, and creativity. This strategic implementation has led to significant improvements in student performance, particularly in reading and math growth targets in middle schools.
- What are some recent academic achievements of Horry County Schools?
- Horry County Schools students outperformed the state average on all state summative assessments in 2024-2025. The on-time graduation rate for HCS rose to 89.6% in 2025, outpacing the state’s rate. Also, 82.5% of the 2025 graduating cohort were identified as college- or career-ready.
- What is “unencumbered time” for teachers in Horry County Schools?
- “Unencumbered time,” as defined by Section 59-5-63, is time that is self-directed without assigned duties or responsibilities, including direct instruction or supervision of students, provided to elementary teachers for at least thirty minutes on each regular school day.
Key Features of Horry County Education
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Janice Carol Cooney’s Tenure | Taught for 26 years (1971-1997) at Twelfth Avenue Elementary, Conway Elementary, and Conway Middle schools. | Local |
| Parental Choice Initiatives | Includes public school options like Magnet Schools, Public Charter Schools, Virtual Education, Residential School Choice, and District School Choice. South Carolina also has an Education Scholarship Trust Fund Program (though challenged). | State-level |
| Personalized Learning | Horry County Schools has systematically rolled out personalized learning across all schools, focusing on targeted small group instruction, collaboration, and creativity. | Local |
| Academic Performance | Horry County Schools students outperformed the state average on all state summative assessments in 2024-2025. High graduation rates and college/career readiness rates, with HCS Scholars Academy High School ranked #1 in the state. | Local |
| Teacher Support (Unencumbered Time) | Elementary teachers in Horry County Schools receive at least thirty minutes of self-directed “unencumbered time” on each regular school day, without assigned duties or student supervision. | Local |
| Community Engagement | Horry County Schools’ Parent & Family Engagement Policy encourages family participation through parenting classes, home visits, adult education, school committees, and volunteering. | Local |
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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.
