Below Average
#999 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
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
796
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Conway
#13 of 14
public schools
South Carolina middle schools
#194 of 249
In district
#52 of 55
Horry 01
About Black Water Middle
Black Water Middle serves grades 6 through 8 in Conway, South Carolina, with an enrollment of 796 students. Located at 900 East Cox Ferry Road in a rural area near town, the school has 54 full-time equivalent teachers and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1. Academically, Black Water Middle is working to strengthen its performance.
The school ranks #825 out of 1,192 South Carolina schools, placing it in the lower percentile range. Currently, 40% of students score proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 36% meet proficiency levels in Math. These figures highlight areas where the school is focusing on student development and academic growth across both subject areas.
As a regular public middle school, Black Water Middle serves the Horry County community and draws students from the surrounding rural region. The school's student-teacher ratio of roughly 15 students per teacher provides a foundation for classroom instruction and individualized attention during the middle school years.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Black Water Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Black Water Middle — Students at Black Water Middle score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 4.3/10.
How Black Water Middle Compares
See how Black Water Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 31% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 40% (2019) to 40% (2022).
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. Conway Middle (rated 5.9/10, 4.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Whittemore Park Middle (rated 5.5/10, 5.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Ten Oaks Middle (rated 4.7/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Myrtle Beach), 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 | 8.4 |
| HCS Early College High Conway | 1.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Carolina Forest High Myrtle Beach | 2.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Waccamaw Elementary Conway | 2.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Palmetto Academy of Learning Motorsports (PALM) Conway | 2.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Carolina Forest Elementary Myrtle Beach | 3.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Conway Elementary Conway | 4.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Conway Middle Conway | 4.5 mi | 5.9 |
| 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 | 5.5 |
| Palmetto Bays Elementary Myrtle Beach | 6.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Homewood Elementary Conway | 5.7 mi | 7.4 |
| South Conway Elementary Conway | 5.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Forestbrook Middle Myrtle Beach | 6.5 mi | 3.9 |
| Forestbrook Elementary Myrtle Beach | 6.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Conway High Conway | 5.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Ten Oaks Middle Myrtle Beach | 6.1 mi | 4.7 |
| CONWAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Conway | 6.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Kingston Elementary Conway | 7.1 mi | 7.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Black Water Middle has a median household income of $66,490. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $232,100, with a median rent of $943/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.5%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alice Drive Middle Sumter, SC | 4.6 |
| Beck International Academy Greenville, SC | 4.6 |
| Sims Middle Union, SC | 4.6 |
| R. C. Edwards Middle Central, SC | 4.5 |
| Starr-Iva Middle Starr, SC | 4.5 |
| Sevier Middle Greenville, SC | 4.7 |
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 is ranked #999 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Black Water Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Black Water Middle has a composite rating of 4.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Black Water Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Black Water Middle has 35.7% math proficiency and 39.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,426/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Conway). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (843) 903-8440
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Horry 01- District Enrollment
- 48,205
- Schools in District
- 57
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,222
- District Rank
- #52 of 55
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyGet 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.