News Summary
Myrtle Beach’s educational landscape is continuously evolving, offering innovative programs and extracurricular activities that promote student growth and academic success. Horry County Schools are dedicated to providing personalized learning experiences, engaging community partnerships, and recognizing outstanding educators. From thriving clubs at local schools to a strong focus on academic achievement, Myrtle Beach aims to cultivate an environment where every student can explore their interests and reach their full potential.
Myrtle Beach is a dynamic coastal city, and its educational landscape is continuously evolving to provide robust opportunities for young learners. In Horry County, local schools are embracing innovative approaches, offering diverse academic pathways and enriching extracurricular programs that foster student growth and prepare them for future success. This commitment to educational excellence is supported by a focus on community engagement, teacher initiative, and personalized learning experiences.
Across the district, educators and administrators are working to ensure that every student has the chance to explore their interests, achieve personal milestones, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Horry County Schools’ vision is to be a premier, world-class school system where every student receives an excellent education. This vision emphasizes high-quality teaching and learning in welcoming environments.
Expanding Horizons: Extracurriculars for Holistic Development
Myrtle Beach area schools recognize the vital role of extracurricular activities in a student’s overall development, encouraging exploration of interests and laying foundations for future success. At Myrtle Beach Middle School (MBM), students are encouraged to engage in various extracurriculars to help them define their identity as students. For example, MBM offers a Technology Club that helps prepare students for the Horry County Schools Technology Fair. Other offerings include a Book Club, which also participates in the Horry County School District’s Middle School Battle of the Books, a Manga/Anime club, a Student Leadership Team, Dance Club, Beta Club, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
Discovery School at Myrtle Beach, a tuition-free public charter school, also provides a variety of extracurricular activities designed to spark creativity. Similarly, Coastal High School focuses on preparing students for life beyond the classroom by encouraging both academic success and involvement in extracurriculars. Coastal High School’s clubs extend from creative arts like the Drama & Art Club and Book Club to interactive groups such as the Board Games Club and D&D Club, and even physical activities like the Archery Club. These clubs are supported by dedicated advisors who foster personal growth, teamwork, and an environment where students can pursue their passions. Coastal High School also offers athletic programs including basketball, soccer, volleyball, and cheerleading, emphasizing teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness.
Myrtle Beach High School is recognized as a community hub of learning, with its social fabric enriched by extracurricular activities like sports teams and clubs focused on arts or other interests. The school provides numerous honor societies and clubs, such as the Academic Team, Art Club, DECA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, HOSA, Library Advisory Club, and Student Council. Honor Societies include Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, National Art Honor Society, National Honor Society, Rho Kappa, Science National Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society.
Academic Achievement and Innovation in Horry County
Horry County Schools (HCS) demonstrates a strong commitment to academic achievement, with HCS students consistently outperforming the state average on various state summative assessments. In the 2023-24 school year, 72% of qualifying schools in Horry County were rated Excellent or Good on the SC state report card. Horry County Schools also achieved an on-time graduation rate of 86.3%, surpassing the state’s rate of 85.4%. Furthermore, 77.6% of HCS students were identified as college- or career-ready, compared to the state’s rate of 71.5%. Performance on the SC READY ELA assessment showed 60.0% of HCS students meeting or exceeding expectations, higher than the state’s 53.5%, and in Math, 49.4% met or exceeded, compared to the state’s 42.2%.
The district continues to push for innovation, with the implementation of a new artificial intelligence platform, Magic School, in classrooms. This platform is designed to assist both students and teachers, helping to lessen the workload for teachers and providing students with a writing tutor that offers targeted feedback. Horry County Schools also has a Personalized Learning Initiative, aiming to transform teaching and learning by immersing students in rich, authentic, and relevant learning experiences that promote college and career readiness. This initiative involves placing personal computing devices in the hands of all students and adopting the HCS Core 5 as an instructional model.
Recognizing Excellence: Teacher Awards
The dedication of educators in Horry County is frequently acknowledged through various awards and recognitions. Dr. Rick Maxey was named the 4A/5A Superintendent of the Year for 2023-24 by the SC Athletic Administrators Association. Gaye Driggers of Carolina Forest High was recognized as the AAAAA Principal of the Year by the same association. Kimberley Myers from Aynor High was named the South Carolina Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year. Candice Cohen-Hardee of Aynor Middle was selected as one of 29 educators Nationwide for the 2025 Class of Extraordinary Educators for Curriculum Associates (iReady). In a notable achievement, JoLynn Prochaska, a sixth-grade science teacher at Ten Oaks Middle School, was awarded the 2026 Horry County Schools Teacher of the Year. Coastal High School social studies teacher Sarah Vicini also received the Milken Educator Award, a national recognition, which includes a $25,000 prize. Reneé Atkinson, an English teacher from Aynor High School, was named the 2024 South Carolina Teacher of the Year. These accolades highlight the exceptional talent and commitment within the district’s teaching staff.
Strengthening Education Through Community Partnerships
Community involvement is a cornerstone of the educational strategy in Horry County. Horry County Schools actively fosters partnerships with local businesses, non-profit organizations, and higher education institutions to enrich student experiences and expand resources. The district partners with organizations like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Partnership Grand Strand to host events such as the annual Summer Job Fair for high school students, offering on-site interviews and job placement opportunities.
Collaborations with Coastal Carolina University and Horry-Georgetown Technical College have allowed middle school students to explore academic programs and facilities at both campuses. Local hospitals participate in the annual HCS Health Science Career Fair, providing 11th and 12th graders with insights into various health science professions. United Way of Horry County also hosts reading events in schools, including Caring for Kindergartners and United to Read. Horry County Schools encourages community members to volunteer in various capacities, from academic tutoring to assisting with school events, emphasizing the positive impact volunteers have on student success. The Horry County Community Collaborative (HC3), a partnership of over 60 community organizations, aims to ensure all Horry County residents have equitable opportunities to improve their quality of life, with an active working group dedicated to education.
Empowering Families: The Role of School Choice
In South Carolina, the concept of school choice is gaining momentum, offering families a variety of options beyond traditional assigned public schools. These options include public charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, and online learning programs. School choice can lead to more personalized and effective learning experiences by allowing students to find schools that offer specialized programs, smaller class sizes, and unique curriculums tailored to their interests and learning styles. This can be particularly beneficial for students who may not thrive in a traditional public school setting.
The state has seen efforts like the Education Scholarship Trust Fund Program, which aims to provide eligible low- and moderate-income families with funds for education-related expenses, including tuition for private schools or tutoring. Proponents argue that expanding school choice empowers parents to select the best environment for their child’s individual needs, not limited by zip code or financial resources, and can help improve academic performance.
Myrtle Beach and Horry County are vibrant examples of how local initiative and community engagement can drive educational improvement. By supporting diverse learning pathways, recognizing dedicated educators, fostering robust partnerships, and empowering parental choice, the region is cultivating an environment where every student can achieve their full potential. We encourage all residents to explore the innovative programs available in our schools and consider how they can contribute to the ongoing success of our students and educational community.
FAQ Section
What extracurricular activities are available at Myrtle Beach Middle School?
Myrtle Beach Middle School encourages students to explore their interests by participating in extracurricular activities such as the Technology Club, Book Club, Manga/Anime club, Student Leadership Team, Dance Club, Beta Club, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
What is the academic performance of Horry County Schools like?
Horry County Schools (HCS) students consistently outperform the state average on state summative assessments. In the 2023-24 school year, 72% of qualifying schools were rated Excellent or Good on the SC state report card. The district also achieved an 86.3% on-time graduation rate and 77.6% of students were identified as college- or career-ready.
Are there opportunities for community involvement in Horry County Schools?
Yes, Horry County Schools actively promotes community involvement through partnerships with local businesses, non-profit organizations, and higher education institutions. There are volunteer opportunities for academic tutoring, assisting with school events, and participating in initiatives like the annual Summer Job Fair.
What is the purpose of school choice in South Carolina?
School choice in South Carolina aims to provide families with various educational options beyond traditional assigned public schools, including public charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, and online learning programs. The goal is to offer personalized and effective learning experiences that cater to students’ individual needs and interests.
Which teachers in Horry County have received significant awards recently?
Recent award recipients in Horry County Schools include Dr. Rick Maxey (4A/5A Superintendent of the Year for 2023-24), Gaye Driggers (AAAAA Principal of the Year), Kimberley Myers (SC Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year), Candice Cohen-Hardee (2025 Class of Extraordinary Educators Nationwide), JoLynn Prochaska (2026 Horry County Schools Teacher of the Year), Sarah Vicini (Milken Educator Award), and Reneé Atkinson (2024 South Carolina Teacher of the Year).
Key Features of Myrtle Beach Area Schools
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Extracurricular Activities | Myrtle Beach Middle School offers Technology Club, Book Club, Manga/Anime, Student Leadership Team, Dance Club, Beta Club, and FCA. Coastal High School offers Drama & Art Club, Book Club, Board Games Club, D&D Club, Archery Club, and athletics (basketball, soccer, volleyball, cheerleading). Myrtle Beach High School has Academic Team, Art Club, DECA, FCA, HOSA, Library Advisory Club, Student Council, and various Honor Societies. Discovery School at Myrtle Beach offers extracurriculars for creativity. | Local |
| Academic Performance | Horry County Schools (HCS) students consistently outperform the state average on summative assessments. 72% of qualifying HCS schools rated Excellent or Good (2023-24). HCS on-time graduation rate: 86.3%. HCS college- or career-ready rate: 77.6%. SC READY ELA: 60.0% met/exceeded; Math: 49.4% met/exceeded. | Local, State-level |
| Teacher Recognition | Dr. Rick Maxey (4A/5A Superintendent of the Year 2023-24), Gaye Driggers (AAAAA Principal of the Year), Kimberley Myers (SC Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year), Candice Cohen-Hardee (2025 Class of Extraordinary Educators), JoLynn Prochaska (2026 Horry County Schools Teacher of the Year), Sarah Vicini (Milken Educator Award), Reneé Atkinson (2024 South Carolina Teacher of the Year). | Local, State-level, Nationwide |
| Community Partnerships | Horry County Schools partners with local businesses, non-profits, and higher education (e.g., Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Partnership Grand Strand, Coastal Carolina University, Horry-Georgetown Technical College, United Way of Horry County). Opportunities include job fairs, campus explorations, career fairs, reading events, and volunteering. | Local |
| School Choice Options | In South Carolina, options include public charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, and online learning programs. The Education Scholarship Trust Fund Program aims to provide eligible low- and moderate-income families with funds for education-related expenses. | State-level |
| Educational Innovation | Horry County Schools implements Personalized Learning Initiative with personal computing devices and the HCS Core 5 instructional model. They also use the Magic School AI platform to assist teachers and students with writing and feedback. | 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.
