Excellent
#22 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 2% in state
Waccamaw High
High School · Georgetown 01
2412 Kings River Road, Pawleys Island, SC 29585
Enrollment
846
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
8.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
846
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
8.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pawleys Island
#1 of 5
public schools
South Carolina high schools
#7 of 216
In district
#2 of 19
Georgetown 01
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Waccamaw High
Waccamaw High is a regular public school in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, enrolling 846 students across grades 9 through 12. It earns a composite score of 8.9/10 — an Excellent rating — and ranks seventh among all 216 public high schools in South Carolina. That places Waccamaw ahead of 98% of the state's 1,176 public schools, a position that holds across both academic achievement and student growth.
Among the five public schools serving Pawleys Island, it ranks first. Academic achievement scores 8.7/10. The growth score of 9.7/10 is the standout figure, reflecting how much students advance over time rather than simply where they begin.
A 14.3-to-1 student-teacher ratio supports focused instruction across the school's 846 students. Families evaluating high schools in this part of South Carolina will find Waccamaw difficult to top. Only six public high schools in the entire state rank above it.
For a public school serving a coastal community of this size, that combination of academic strength and documented student growth represents performance at the upper limit of what the state data shows.
Score Breakdown
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Waccamaw High — Students at Waccamaw High score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
41.4%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.7/10.
How Waccamaw High Compares
See how Waccamaw High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 90% (2022).
Location
2412 Kings River Road, Pawleys Island, SC 29585
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Waccamaw High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. St. James High (rated 7.1/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Murrells Inlet), a more accessible option. Another option is THE GEORGETOWN SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES (rated 7.0/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Georgetown), a more accessible option. Additionally, Georgetown High (rated 6.1/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Georgetown), a more accessible option. For more schools in Pawleys Island, see our Pawleys Island schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Waccamaw Elementary Pawleys Island | 0.7 mi | 6.0 |
| ALL SAINTS CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pawleys Island | 1.2 mi | — |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PAWLEYS ISLAND Pawleys Island | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| PAWLEYS ISLAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Pawleys Island | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Coastal Montessori Charter Pawleys Island | 2.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Waccamaw Intermediate Pawleys Island | 3.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Waccamaw Middle Pawleys Island | 4.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Plantersville Elementary Digital Immersion Georgetown | 6.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Kensington Elementary Georgetown | 8.9 mi | 7.5 |
| THE GEORGETOWN SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES Georgetown | 9.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Georgetown Middle Georgetown | 9.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Georgetown High Georgetown | 10.1 mi | 6.1 |
| McDonald Elementary Georgetown | 10.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Maryville Elementary Georgetown | 11.3 mi | 4.8 |
| St. James High Murrells Inlet | 12.6 mi | 7.1 |
| ST MICHAEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Murrells Inlet | 12.6 mi | 5.5 |
| St. James Middle Myrtle Beach | 13.4 mi | 6.3 |
| St. James Elementary Myrtle Beach | 13.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Seaside Elementary Garden City | 13.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Brown's Ferry Elementary School for the Creative and Perform Georgetown | 12.8 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29585 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$83,077
Median Home Value
$423,700
Median Rent
$1,599/mo
Population
17,346
College Educated
49.8%
Homeownership
86.7%
Avg Commute
23.4 min
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Median Age
60.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Waccamaw High has a median household income of $83,077. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $423,700, with a median rent of $1,599/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| South Pointe High Rock Hill, SC | 8.7 |
| Edisto High Cordova, SC | 8.6 |
| Spring Hill High Chapin, SC | 8.8 |
| Dreher High Columbia, SC | 8.5 |
| Buford High Lancaster, SC | 9.1 |
| Academic Magnet High North Charleston, SC | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Waccamaw High
What grades does Waccamaw High serve?
Waccamaw High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Waccamaw High?
Waccamaw High has an enrollment of approximately 846 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Waccamaw High?
The student-teacher ratio at Waccamaw High is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Waccamaw High rank in SC?
Waccamaw High is ranked #22 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Waccamaw High's MySchoolScout rating?
Waccamaw High has a composite rating of 8.7 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 Waccamaw High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Waccamaw High has 45.3% math proficiency and 83.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Waccamaw High a charter school?
No, Waccamaw High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Waccamaw High a Title I school?
No, Waccamaw High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waccamaw High?
41.4% of students at Waccamaw 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 846
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 59
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 41.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Georgetown County
- Phone
- (843) 237-9899
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Georgetown 01- District Enrollment
- 8,355
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,951
- District Rank
- #2 of 19
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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