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#916 of 1,176 schools in SC

St. James Elementary

Elementary School · Horry 01

9711 St. James Road, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588

Enrollment

901

Student-Teacher

16.1:1

Score

5.0

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Myrtle Beach

#18 of 24

public schools

South Carolina elementary schools

#515 of 680

In district

#43 of 55

Horry 01

Academic performance

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About St. James Elementary

St. James Elementary serves 901 students in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in Myrtle Beach's Horry County. With 56 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a manageable 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for meaningful individual attention in the classroom.

The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 6.8 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 75th percentile statewide at #296 out of 1,192 South Carolina elementary schools. Students show strong achievement levels with 69% meeting proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading, while 65% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the school's academic score of 8.4 out of 10.

St. James Elementary draws families from a stable suburban community where the median household income reaches $60,337 and median home values sit at $223,700. The neighborhood maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 10.7%, with nearly a quarter of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher education credentials.

Located on St. James Road in Myrtle Beach's large suburban landscape, the school serves a growing community of over 52,000 residents who value educational opportunity and family-friendly amenities in this popular South Carolina coastal region.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.2Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.15 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency65%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69%
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected+4.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,785

St. James Elementary — Students at St. James Elementary score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 70.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 69.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
78%
ELA
74%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
66%
2022
Math
65%
ELA
69%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How St. James Elementary Compares

See how St. James Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.0/10
22th percentile in SC
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
3.2/10
Below average
Environment
4.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
56 teachers

Location

9711 St. James Road, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St. James Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bridgewater Academy Charter (rated 7.8/10, 9.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lakewood Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 5.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Socastee Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 5.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Myrtle Beach, see our Myrtle Beach schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.1 mi
School Distance Rating
St. James Middle Myrtle Beach 0.2 mi 6.3
St. James High Murrells Inlet 1.2 mi 7.1
Burgess Elementary Myrtle Beach 1.5 mi 4.9
St. James Intermediate Myrtle Beach 1.6 mi 6.0
Seaside Elementary Garden City 2.6 mi 4.9
ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Murrells Inlet 3.0 mi 5.5
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Myrtle Beach 3.6 mi 5.2
Socastee High Myrtle Beach 4.7 mi 7.5
Socastee Middle Myrtle Beach 4.4 mi 5.4
Coastal High School Myrtle Beach 5.2 mi
Socastee Elementary Myrtle Beach 5.3 mi 6.8
Lakewood Elementary Myrtle Beach 5.0 mi 7.2
Forestbrook Elementary Myrtle Beach 7.0 mi 6.6
Palmetto Bays Elementary Myrtle Beach 7.4 mi 6.1
Forestbrook Middle Myrtle Beach 7.2 mi 3.9
Palmetto Academy of Learning and Success Charter Myrtle Beach 7.0 mi 5.0
Waccamaw Middle Pawleys Island 9.7 mi 7.0
Bridgewater Academy Charter Myrtle Beach 9.1 mi 7.8
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF MYRTLE BEACH Myrtle Beach 9.5 mi 5.4
Waccamaw Intermediate Pawleys Island 10.1 mi 7.7

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 St. James 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
Ladson Elementary Ladson, SC 5.0
Redcliffe Elementary Aiken, SC 5.0
St. John's Elementary Darlington, SC 5.0
Woodruff Primary Woodruff, SC 5.0
Aynor Elementary Aynor, SC 5.1
Burgess Elementary Myrtle Beach, SC 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St. James Elementary

What grades does St. James Elementary serve?

St. James Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend St. James Elementary?

St. James Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 901 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at St. James Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at St. James Elementary is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does St. James Elementary rank in SC?

St. James Elementary is ranked #916 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is St. James Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

St. James Elementary has a composite rating of 5.0 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 St. James Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, St. James Elementary has 70.0% math proficiency and 69.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is St. James Elementary a charter school?

No, St. James Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is St. James Elementary a Title I school?

No, St. James Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for St. James Elementary?

41.2% of students at St. James 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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 – 4th
Enrollment
901
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
56
Free/Reduced Lunch
41.2%
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
#43 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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