Adapted from Guide to School Choices in SC by National School Choice Week Team

One of the biggest decisions parents face when relocating their family is choosing the right school. In our area, the schools are not run by cities, but by Horry County Schools. But there’s even more choices than that.

Choosing a school? You’ve got options. 

Each spring, parents face one of the biggest decisions they can make for their child’s future: What school environment will their child will spend about 1,000 hours in next year? 

Making that decision with confidence starts with knowing what options you have; you may have more school choices than you realize! Understanding these options can help you find a school where your child grows and learns to the best of their ability.

You can choose from traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online academies, and homeschooling. This page also includes other HCS programs, a list of local colleges, and additional resources for parents.

Little River Public Schools

Most families choose traditional public schools, which are operated by school districts, free to attend, open to all students, and funded by taxpayers. 

The local school system is Horry County Schools. They have a map online to see which school your child will attend, but it’s likely one of these:

Riverside Elementary
1283 Hwy 57 S
Little River, SC 29566
843-399-8800

Waterway Elementary
700 Sandridge Road
Little River, SC 29566
843-399-2204

North Myrtle Beach Middle School
11240 Hwy 90
Little River, SC 29566
843-399-6136

North Myrtle Beach High School
3750 Sea Mountain Hwy
Little River, SC 29566
843-399-6171

Also, you’re likely in either District 1 or 9.

Charter Schools in Horry County

South Carolina families can choose from more than 75 charter schools. Like traditional public schools, charter schools are public, free, and typically have no requirements for entry. However, you may need to provide your own transportation.

What distinguishes charter schools is that they are have extra freedom to innovate with learning methods and are accountable to authorizing bodies for results. 

Each school has a charter which explains the school’s purpose and what specific community need it serves. That might be providing a Spanish immersion program or offering a rigorous, literacy-based curriculum. If there are more families seeking admittance to a charter school than there are seats, a lottery system (like drawing random names out of a hat!)  is usually used to determine admittance. 

Academy of Hope
(grades K-4/8)
3521 Juniper Bay Road
Conway, SC 29527
843-397-5719

Bridgewater Academy
(grades K-8)
194 River Landing Blvd
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
843-236-3689

Palmetto Academy of Learning Success (PALS)
(grades 6-8)
3021 Fred Nash Blvd
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-293-1725

Palmetto Academy for Learning Motor Sports
(High School)
826 West Cox Ferry Rd
Conway, SC 29526
843-903-6600

Magnet Schools in Horry County

You can also choose from magnet schools. Magnet schools are free public schools that allow kids to narrow in on a specific learning track, such as engineering or the performing arts. 

These area schools might be a good option if your child learns best by focusing in on a subject they are passionate about. 

Academy for the Arts, Science & Technology (AAST)
895 International Drive
Myrtle Beach, SC 2979
843-903-8460

Academy for Technology & Academics (ATA)
5639 Hwy 701 N
Conway, SC 29526
843-488-6600

Early College High
2050 Hwy 501 E
Building 400
Conway, SC 29528
843-349-3131

Scholars Academy
104 Chanticleer Dr E
Conway, SC 29528
843-349-4117

Horry County Private Schools

Families in South Carolina can also consider private schools, nonpublic schools that charge tuition. Private schools may offer a unique curriculum, smaller class sizes, or a faith-based tradition. These come in all shapes and forms. 

Here are some area private schools:

Ascent Education
K-12
701 Main St
NMB, SC 29582
843-548-8474

Calvary Christian School
K-12
4511 Dick Pond Rd
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
843-650-2829

Conway Christian School
K3 – 12
1200 Medlen Pkwy
Conway, SC 29526
843-365-2005

Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach
K-12
291 Ronald McNair Blvd
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
843-236-6222

Grace Christian School
K-12
1375 Tory Hill Rd
Loris, SC 29569
843-756-2135

Holy Trinity Catholic School
PreK-5
1108 8th Ave N
NMB, SC 29582
843-390-4108

Risen Christ Christian Academy
PreK – 12
10595 North Kings Hwy
Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
843-272-8163

Myrtle Beach SDA Christian School
2351 Carolina Forest Blvd
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
843-236-1452

North Myrtle Beach Christian School
Pre K – Grade 12
9535 SC-90
Longs, SC 29568
843-399-7181

St. Andrews Catholic School
K-8
3601 N Kings Hwy
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-448-6062

St. Michael Catholic School
PreK-6
542 Cypress Ave
Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
843-651-6795

For additions or corrections, email izzy@littleriverchamber.org

Horry County Online Learning

Whether your child wants to accelerate their learning or needs a quieter environment in which to focus, you may be interested in giving virtual school a try.

Horry County Schools offers HCS Virtual (grades 9-12). The program operates in partnership with schools and parents to offer high school level courses across the district. HCS Virtual provides a teacher-led, virtual classroom environment providing flexibility for students.

South Carolina offers several free, full-time online learning options for students, like South Carolina Virtual Charter School (grade K-12), and South Carolina Connections Academy (grade K-12). 

In addition, public, private, and homeschooled students (in grades 7-12) in South Carolina can enroll in tuition-free online classes through Virtual SC. VirtualSC recommends taking a maximum of four classes at a time, and does not award diplomas.

South Carolina Homeschooling

South Carolina families can also choose to homeschool, which allows for high levels of customized learning and flexibility. Homeschooling is the process of parents educating students at home. 

See here for resources about homeschooling specific to South Carolina. 

Other Educational Programs

Current Transitions
This volunteer-based nonprofit expands opportunities & enhances the quality of life for individuals who have cognitive disorders & intellectual disabilities.

Horry County Adult Education
Offers 3 options for high school diploma completions and opportunities for improving academic skills, workforce readiness & skills training, career navigation services, ESL, digital literacy skills, and more.

Playcard Environmental Education Center
Our goal is to instruct students in the natural sciences on-site, enabling them to experience first-hand the inter-relationships of living things. Field trips available for students from Pre-K through College.

SOAR Academy
SOAR works to help students Shine On After Returning to their base school.

Therapeutic Learning Center
Provides services to students with severe emotional and social challenges which impede their academic progress; Offers intensive and highly individualized academic and clinical services in a therapeutic setting in order to enable the student to return to his/her base school.

Colleges near Little River, SC

Brunswick Community College
Provides opportunities for individuals to be successful through accessible, high quality, student-centered programs and services that meet the educational, cultural and workforce needs of a diverse community.

Coastal Carolina University (CCU)
Coastal Carolina University is a dynamic public institution located in Conway, just minutes from the resort area of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Horry Georgetown Technical College (HGTC)
A two-year community/technical college that offers more than 65 associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs for students who are either seeking quick entry into the workforce or desiring to transfer to a senior institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

Webster University – Myrtle Beach
Webster University offers accredited graduate school education with opportunities to study in Myrtle Beach or earn a degree online.

Education Resources for South Carolina Parents 

For additional information about school choice in South Carolina, visit these resources: 

• Horry County Schools
• South Carolina’s Department of Education
• South Carolina’s Department of Education: School Choice
• My SC Education
• Public Charter School Alliance of South Carolina
• South Carolina Home Educators Association
• South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools
• South Carolina Homeschool Law

School Choice Celebrations in South Carolina

National School Choice Week 2021 will take place January 24 – 30, 2021. We encourage all schools, homeschool groups, organizations and individuals to join the celebration. Click here for ideas, inspiration, and more information! 

South Carolina celebrated National School Choice Week 2020 with a record-breaking 1,049 events and activities across the state. Click the button below to learn more about school choice in South Carolina.