Skip to main content

Average

#870 of 1,176 schools in SC

Black Water Middle

Middle School · Horry 01

900 East Cox Ferry Road, Conway, SC 29526

Enrollment

796

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

5.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina schools

#870 of 1,176

In Conway

#13 of 14

public schools

In district

#53 of 55

Horry 01

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Black Water Middle?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Black Water Middle

5.0/10

Middle School in Conway · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hcs Scholars Academy High

6.6/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Hcs Early College High

8.8/10

1.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Black Water Middle

Black Water Middle is a public middle school in Conway, SC, part of Horry 01. Black Water Middle serves approximately 796 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Black Water Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #870 of 1,176 schools in SC.

Structured state assessment records for Black Water Middle show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.8 pts below district
  • This school 5.0 · Average
  • District avg 5.8
  • SC avg 5.3

What Parents Should Know

Black Water Middle sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.51 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency40% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency36% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)52% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-16.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,222
Chronic Absenteeism29.1%

Black Water Middle — Students at Black Water Middle score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 51.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
75%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
71%
ELA
69%
2011
Math
70%
ELA
70%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2013
Math
66%
ELA
69%
2014
Math
45%
ELA
39%
2015
Math
45%
ELA
41%
2016
Math
44%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
44%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
44%
ELA
40%
2019
Math
44%
ELA
40%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
39%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
39%
2022
Math
31%
ELA
40%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.8/10.

How Black Water Middle Compares

See how Black Water Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
26th percentile in SC
Academic
4.4/10
Below Average
Growth
5.8/10
Average
Environment
4.6/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
29.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

900 East Cox Ferry Road, Conway, SC 29526

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Black Water Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Ten Oaks Middle (rated 6.6/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Myrtle Beach), which scores notably higher. Another option is Conway Middle (rated 5.5/10, 4.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Whittemore Park Middle (rated 5.2/10, 5.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Conway, see our Conway schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.1 mi
School Distance Rating
HCS Scholars Academy High Conway 1.0 mi 6.6
HCS Early College High Conway 1.7 mi 8.8
Carolina Forest High Myrtle Beach 2.5 mi 7.0
Waccamaw Elementary Conway 2.3 mi 6.7
Palmetto Academy of Learning Motorsports (PALM) Conway 2.9 mi 8.1
Carolina Forest Elementary Myrtle Beach 3.9 mi 6.6
Conway Elementary Conway 4.4 mi 7.2
Conway Middle Conway 4.5 mi 5.5
ST ELIZABETH ANN SETON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Myrtle Beach 5.0 mi 6.2
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF MYRTLE BEACH Myrtle Beach 5.8 mi 5.4
Whittemore Park Middle Conway 5.2 mi 5.2
Palmetto Bays Elementary Myrtle Beach 6.1 mi 7.1
Homewood Elementary Conway 5.7 mi 6.7
South Conway Elementary Conway 5.3 mi 7.7
Forestbrook Middle Myrtle Beach 6.5 mi 5.2
Forestbrook Elementary Myrtle Beach 6.6 mi 6.8
Conway High Conway 5.9 mi 6.2
Ten Oaks Middle Myrtle Beach 6.1 mi 6.6
CONWAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Conway 6.3 mi 5.3
Kingston Elementary Conway 7.1 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29526 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,490

Median Home Value

$232,100

Median Rent

$943/mo

Population

51,176

College Educated

22.6%

Homeownership

76.6%

Avg Commute

23.6 min

Poverty Rate

15.5%

Median Age

41

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Hartsville Middle Hartsville, SC 5.0
Alice Drive Middle Sumter, SC 5.1
Carolina Springs Middle Lexington, SC 4.9
Clifdale Middle Spartanburg, SC 4.9
East Edisto Middle Summerville, SC 5.1
Southside Middle Florence, SC 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Black Water Middle

What grades does Black Water Middle serve?

Black Water Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Black Water Middle?

Black Water Middle has an enrollment of approximately 796 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Black Water Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Black Water Middle is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Black Water Middle rank in SC?

Black Water Middle ranks #870 of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Black Water Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Black Water Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Black Water Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Black Water Middle has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Black Water Middle a charter school?

No, Black Water Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Black Water Middle a Title I school?

No, Black Water Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Black Water Middle?

65.1% of students at Black Water Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
796
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
54
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Horry County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
29.1%

District

Horry 01
District Enrollment
48,205
Schools in District
57
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,222
District Rank
#53 of 55

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.