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
Enrollment
3,181
Student-Teacher
19.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Carolina Forest High — Students at Carolina Forest High score 84% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.7%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.9/10.
How Carolina Forest High Compares
See how Carolina Forest High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 85% (2019) to 77% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 80% (2019) to 91% (2022).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (843) 236-7997
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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