Average
#650 of 1,176 schools in SC
Palmetto Bays Elementary
Elementary School · Horry 01
8900 Highway 544, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
Enrollment
569
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
569
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Myrtle Beach
#15 of 24
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#370 of 680
In district
#30 of 55
Horry 01
Academic performance
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Palmetto Bays Elementary
Palmetto Bays Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the rural outskirts of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 569 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.6:1 with 45 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The academic performance at Palmetto Bays Elementary is rated 6.2 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing the school at the 62nd percentile among South Carolina’s public elementary schools.
In terms of proficiency in ELA and reading, 51% of students meet or exceed standards, while a similar percentage, 50%, are proficient or above in math. While there is room for academic growth, Palmetto Bays Elementary focuses on providing a supportive learning environment where each child can develop their skills. The school’s setting near the town offers a peaceful backdrop conducive to education and community involvement.
Palmetto Bays Elementary is situated in a rural area that provides a quiet, nurturing atmosphere for young learners.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Palmetto Bays Elementary 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
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Palmetto Bays Elementary — Students at Palmetto Bays Elementary score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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: 4.4/10.
How Palmetto Bays Elementary Compares
See how Palmetto Bays Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 50% (2019) to 54% (2022).
Location
8900 Highway 544, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palmetto Bays Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bridgewater Academy Charter (rated 7.8/10, 5.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Socastee Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Waccamaw Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Conway), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Myrtle Beach, see our Myrtle Beach schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Forestbrook Elementary Myrtle Beach | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Forestbrook Middle Myrtle Beach | 2.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Socastee High Myrtle Beach | 3.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Socastee Elementary Myrtle Beach | 4.0 mi | 6.8 |
| CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Myrtle Beach | 4.5 mi | 5.2 |
| HCS Early College High Conway | 4.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Carolina Forest High Myrtle Beach | 4.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Coastal High School Myrtle Beach | 4.5 mi | — |
| Palmetto Academy of Learning Motorsports (PALM) Conway | 4.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Carolina Forest Elementary Myrtle Beach | 4.4 mi | 6.4 |
| HCS Scholars Academy High Conway | 5.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Socastee Middle Myrtle Beach | 5.1 mi | 5.4 |
| CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF MYRTLE BEACH Myrtle Beach | 4.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Waccamaw Elementary Conway | 5.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Palmetto Academy of Learning and Success Charter Myrtle Beach | 5.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Burgess Elementary Myrtle Beach | 6.2 mi | 4.9 |
| St. James Intermediate Myrtle Beach | 6.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Black Water Middle Conway | 6.1 mi | 4.6 |
| ST ELIZABETH ANN SETON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Myrtle Beach | 5.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Bridgewater Academy Charter Myrtle Beach | 5.7 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29588 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,854
Median Home Value
$241,700
Median Rent
$1,220/mo
Population
53,114
College Educated
26%
Homeownership
77.2%
Avg Commute
21.4 min
Poverty Rate
10.1%
Median Age
45.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Palmetto Bays Elementary has a median household income of $66,854. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $241,700, with a median rent of $1,220/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Doby's Mill Elementary Lugoff, SC | 6.1 |
| Eagle Nest Elementary North Charleston, SC | 6.1 |
| Homeland Park Primary Anderson, SC | 6.1 |
| James M. Brown Elementary Walhalla, SC | 6.1 |
| Liberty Primary Liberty, SC | 6.1 |
| MITCHELL ROAD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Greenville, SC | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palmetto Bays Elementary
What grades does Palmetto Bays Elementary serve?
Palmetto Bays Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Palmetto Bays Elementary?
Palmetto Bays Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 569 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palmetto Bays Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Palmetto Bays Elementary is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Palmetto Bays Elementary rank in SC?
Palmetto Bays Elementary is ranked #650 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Palmetto Bays Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Palmetto Bays Elementary has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Palmetto Bays Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palmetto Bays Elementary has 50.0% math proficiency and 50.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Palmetto Bays Elementary a charter school?
No, Palmetto Bays Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Palmetto Bays Elementary a Title I school?
No, Palmetto Bays Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palmetto Bays Elementary?
100.0% of students at Palmetto Bays Elementary 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 (6,796/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Myrtle Beach). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 569
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Horry County
- Phone
- (843) 236-6200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Horry 01- District Enrollment
- 48,205
- Schools in District
- 57
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,222
- District Rank
- #30 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.