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Average

#479 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 41% 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

6.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Myrtle Beach

#7 of 24

public schools

South Carolina high schools

#130 of 216

In district

#19 of 55

Horry 01

Academic performance

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Carolina Forest High

Carolina Forest High serves 3,181 students in grades 9-12 in Myrtle Beach, making it one of the larger high schools in Horry County. With 163 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.5:1, providing reasonable class sizes for a school of this magnitude. Academically, Carolina Forest High demonstrates strong performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking #161 out of 1,192 South Carolina high schools, placing it in the 87th percentile statewide.

The school's academic score of 9.7 out of 10 reflects impressive student achievement, with 91% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels, and 77% reaching proficiency in mathematics. The school draws from a stable suburban community where the median household income is $67,788 and the median home value reaches $285,400. With 32% of area residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a relatively low poverty rate of 10.9%, the 29579 ZIP code represents a supportive educational environment for the school's nearly 50,000 community members.

Carolina Forest High operates in Myrtle Beach's large suburban setting, serving families in one of South Carolina's fastest-growing coastal communities where educational achievement and community stability go hand in hand.

What Parents Should Know

Carolina Forest High is a large school with 3,181 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.7Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency91%
Overall Proficiency84%
Expected (poverty-adj.)61%
vs. Expected+22.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile95th
College Readiness6.4Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation14.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,785

Carolina Forest High — Students at Carolina Forest High score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

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 80.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 86.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
85%
ELA
80%
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: 7.9/10.

How Carolina Forest High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
59th percentile in SC
Academic
9.7/10
9.7/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
2.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
163 teachers

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 Scholars Academy High (rated 8.4/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Conway), which scores notably higher. Another option is HCS Early College High (rated 7.9/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Conway), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Palmetto Academy of Learning Motorsports (PALM) (rated 7.9/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Conway), which scores notably 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 6.4
HCS Scholars Academy High Conway 1.9 mi 8.4
Black Water Middle Conway 2.5 mi 4.6
HCS Early College High Conway 2.2 mi 7.9
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 3.9
Waccamaw Elementary Conway 3.9 mi 6.8
Forestbrook Elementary Myrtle Beach 4.4 mi 6.6
Palmetto Academy of Learning Motorsports (PALM) Conway 3.9 mi 7.9
Palmetto Bays Elementary Myrtle Beach 4.5 mi 6.1
Ten Oaks Middle Myrtle Beach 4.2 mi 4.7
Bridgewater Academy Charter Myrtle Beach 5.1 mi 7.8
River Oaks Elementary Myrtle Beach 4.7 mi 6.6
MYRTLE BEACH SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOO Myrtle Beach 5.0 mi
Palmetto Academy of Learning and Success Charter Myrtle Beach 6.2 mi 5.0
Socastee Elementary Myrtle Beach 6.5 mi 6.8
Socastee High Myrtle Beach 6.7 mi 7.5
Coastal High School Myrtle Beach 6.9 mi
Ocean Bay Middle Myrtle Beach 6.0 mi 4.3

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Carolina Forest High has a median household income of $72,909. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $320,400, with a median rent of $1,466/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.1%. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Hillcrest High Simpsonville, SC 6.7
Lexington High Lexington, SC 6.7
Sumter High School Sumter, SC 6.6
T. L. Hanna High Anderson, SC 6.9
Ashley Ridge High Summerville, SC 7.0
Dorman High Roebuck, SC 7.0

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 is ranked #479 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Carolina Forest High's MySchoolScout rating?

Carolina Forest High has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Carolina Forest High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carolina Forest High has 80.3% math proficiency and 86.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (6,796/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Myrtle Beach). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Horry 01
District Enrollment
48,205
Schools in District
57
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,222
District Rank
#19 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 methodology

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