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Very Good

#409 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 35% in state

Carolina Forest High

High School · Horry 01

700 Gardner Lacy Road, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579

Enrollment

3,181

Student-Teacher

19.5:1

Score

7.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina schools

#409 of 1,176

In Myrtle Beach

#11 of 24

public schools

In district

#22 of 55

Horry 01

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Carolina Forest High

7.0/10

High School in Myrtle Beach · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Carolina Forest Elementary

6.6/10

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

Hcs Scholars Academy High

6.6/10

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

About Carolina Forest High

Carolina Forest High is a public high school in Myrtle Beach, SC, part of Horry 01. Carolina Forest High serves approximately 3,181 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Carolina Forest High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #409 of 1,176 schools in SC.

Structured state assessment records for Carolina Forest High show 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.0 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.2
  • SC avg 7.3

What Parents Should Know

Carolina Forest High is a large school: 3,181 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+1.82 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.7Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency91% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency84% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)62% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+22.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile95th
College Readiness5.8Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate82%
AP Participation14.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,222
Chronic Absenteeism24.3%

Carolina Forest High — Students at Carolina Forest High score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 75.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 77.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
76%
ELA
74%
2010
Math
61%
ELA
61%
2011
Math
59%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
59%
ELA
61%
2013
Math
59%
ELA
66%
2014
Math
95%
ELA
88%
2015
Math
90%
ELA
85%
2016
Math
77%
ELA
80%
2017
Math
72%
ELA
83%
2018
Math
85%
ELA
80%
2019
Math
85%
ELA
80%
2020*
Math
79%
ELA
89%
2021*
Math
79%
ELA
89%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
91%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Carolina Forest High Compares

See how Carolina Forest High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
65th percentile in SC
Academic
9.7/10
Excellent
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.6
Sports
21
10 boys' · 11 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
163 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
14.5% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics21sports offered
10 boys'·11 girls'·33 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

700 Gardner Lacy Road, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Carolina Forest High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HCS Early College High (rated 8.8/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Conway), which scores notably higher. Another option is Palmetto Academy of Learning Motorsports (PALM) (rated 8.1/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Conway), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Socastee High (rated 7.6/10, 6.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Myrtle Beach, see our Myrtle Beach schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Carolina Forest Elementary Myrtle Beach 1.4 mi 6.6
HCS Scholars Academy High Conway 1.9 mi 6.6
Black Water Middle Conway 2.5 mi 5.0
HCS Early College High Conway 2.2 mi 8.8
ST ELIZABETH ANN SETON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Myrtle Beach 2.8 mi 6.2
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF MYRTLE BEACH Myrtle Beach 3.3 mi 5.4
Forestbrook Middle Myrtle Beach 4.2 mi 5.2
Waccamaw Elementary Conway 3.9 mi 6.7
Forestbrook Elementary Myrtle Beach 4.4 mi 6.8
Palmetto Academy of Learning Motorsports (PALM) Conway 3.9 mi 8.1
Palmetto Bays Elementary Myrtle Beach 4.5 mi 7.1
Ten Oaks Middle Myrtle Beach 4.2 mi 6.6
Bridgewater Academy Charter Myrtle Beach 5.1 mi 5.8
River Oaks Elementary Myrtle Beach 4.7 mi 7.4
MYRTLE BEACH SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOO Myrtle Beach 5.0 mi
Palmetto Academy of Learning and Success Charter Myrtle Beach 6.2 mi 7.3
Socastee Elementary Myrtle Beach 6.5 mi 5.5
Socastee High Myrtle Beach 6.7 mi 7.6
Coastal High School Myrtle Beach 6.9 mi
Ocean Bay Middle Myrtle Beach 6.0 mi 6.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29579 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,909

Median Home Value

$320,400

Median Rent

$1,466/mo

Population

53,699

College Educated

34.3%

Homeownership

72.3%

Avg Commute

21.2 min

Poverty Rate

11.1%

Median Age

40.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
T. L. Hanna High Anderson, SC 7.1
West Ashley High Charleston, SC 7.1
Boiling Springs High Boiling Springs, SC 6.8
Cane Bay High Summerville, SC 6.8
Hillcrest High Simpsonville, SC 6.8
J. L. Mann High Academy Greenville, SC 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Carolina Forest High

What grades does Carolina Forest High serve?

Carolina Forest High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Carolina Forest High?

Carolina Forest High has an enrollment of approximately 3,181 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Carolina Forest High?

The student-teacher ratio at Carolina Forest High is 19.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Carolina Forest High rank in SC?

Carolina Forest High ranks #409 of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Carolina Forest High's MySchoolScout rating?

Carolina Forest High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Carolina Forest High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Carolina Forest High has 75% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 77% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Carolina Forest High a charter school?

No, Carolina Forest High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Carolina Forest High a Title I school?

No, Carolina Forest High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Carolina Forest High?

44.7% of students at Carolina Forest High 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
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
3,181
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
163
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Horry County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.3%
4-Year Graduation
82.0%

District

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

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