Best Schools in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach's public school system spans 24 ranked schools, with performance spread across a meaningful range. The citywide average sits at 6.2 out of 10 — a solid baseline that reflects the full distribution, from high performers to schools still building. Six schools, representing 25% of the ranked total, score 7 or above, giving families real options at the top of the market.

Bridgewater Academy Charter leads the city with a 7.7 — the highest score among all 24 ranked schools. Socastee High and Myrtle Beach Elementary both follow at 7.6, making the second tier a near tie across grade levels. Lakewood Elementary (7.5) and Ocean Bay Elementary (7.3) complete the top five. Four of those five top performers are elementary schools, a pattern that matters directly for families with younger children entering the system. Bridgewater's charter designation also means its admission process operates on a different track from standard district enrollment — researching it early is worth the effort.

The high school picture is more compressed. Socastee High at 7.6 is the clear standout at the secondary level, but the gap to schools further down the list sharpens compared to the elementary tier. Families placing middle and high schoolers should look closely at grade-specific options, since the concentration of top-scoring schools skews earlier in the pipeline.

Practically, the 25% of schools scoring 7 or above gives Myrtle Beach families a real top-tier target — but which of those options are actually available depends on where you live and what grade your child is entering. Elementary families have the most choices in the upper tier. High school families have one clear standout in Socastee. Sorting the full 24-school set by grade level and score is the fastest way to identify your real shortlist before making any decisions.