Average
#781 of 1,176 schools in SC
Waterway Elementary
Elementary School · Horry 01
700 Sandridge Road, Little River, SC 29566
Enrollment
845
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
845
Student-Teacher
15.9:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Little River
#4 of 4
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#445 of 680
In district
#37 of 55
Horry 01
Academic performance
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Waterway Elementary
Waterway Elementary serves about 845 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Little River, a large suburban area of Horry County. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1 with 53 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, Waterway Elementary ranks in the 58th percentile statewide, placing it #508 out of 1,192 South Carolina schools.
The school's overall MySchoolScout rating is 5.9 out of 10, with an academic score of 6.8. In reading and language arts, 53% of students across all grades score at proficient level or above, while 55% meet proficiency benchmarks in mathematics. These results show the school has areas of strength alongside room for continued academic growth.
The school's setting in a suburban community offers families a school integrated into an active residential area with diverse family backgrounds and resources.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Waterway Elementary — Students at Waterway Elementary score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.5%
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: 5.0/10.
How Waterway Elementary Compares
See how Waterway Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 53% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 55% (2019) to 55% (2022).
Location
700 Sandridge Road, Little River, SC 29566
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Waterway Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jessie Mae Monroe Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Ash), which scores notably higher. Another option is Myrtle Beach Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Myrtle Beach), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ocean Bay Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Myrtle Beach), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Little River, see our Little River schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North Myrtle Beach Middle Little River | 0.1 mi | 5.6 |
| North Myrtle Beach High Little River | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Ocean Drive Elementary North Myrtle Beach | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Riverside Elementary Little River | 2.4 mi | 6.8 |
| NORTH MYRTLE BEACH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Longs | 3.1 mi | 7.1 |
| RISEN CHRIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Myrtle Beach | 5.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Jessie Mae Monroe Elementary Ash | 10.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Ocean Bay Elementary Myrtle Beach | 12.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Ocean Bay Middle Myrtle Beach | 12.1 mi | 4.3 |
| WEST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ocean Isle Beach | 13.1 mi | 5.1 |
| MYRTLE BEACH SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOO Myrtle Beach | 13.2 mi | — |
| Myrtle Beach Elementary Myrtle Beach | 13.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Myrtle Beach High Myrtle Beach | 14.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Daisy Elementary Loris | 14.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Myrtle Beach Middle Myrtle Beach | 14.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Myrtle Beach Early Childhood Myrtle Beach | 14.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Myrtle Beach Primary Myrtle Beach | 14.3 mi | 6.2 |
| CHABAD JEWISH ACADEMY Myrtle Beach | 14.4 mi | 6.6 |
| River Oaks Elementary Myrtle Beach | 14.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Ten Oaks Middle Myrtle Beach | 14.2 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29566 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,358
Median Home Value
$275,600
Median Rent
$1,488/mo
Population
21,194
College Educated
24.7%
Homeownership
80%
Avg Commute
25.2 min
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Median Age
60.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Waterway Elementary has a median household income of $63,358. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $275,600, with a median rent of $1,488/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Carver Elementary Florence, SC | 5.6 |
| Hollis Academy Greenville, SC | 5.6 |
| Meadowfield Elementary Columbia, SC | 5.6 |
| Nevitt Forest Elementary Anderson, SC | 5.6 |
| Camden Elementary Camden, SC | 5.5 |
| Daisy Elementary Loris, SC | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Waterway Elementary
What grades does Waterway Elementary serve?
Waterway Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Waterway Elementary?
Waterway Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 845 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Waterway Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Waterway Elementary is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Waterway Elementary rank in SC?
Waterway Elementary is ranked #781 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Waterway Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Waterway Elementary has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Waterway Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Waterway Elementary has 55.0% math proficiency and 52.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Waterway Elementary a charter school?
No, Waterway Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Waterway Elementary a Title I school?
No, Waterway Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waterway Elementary?
59.5% of students at Waterway 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
- County Safety
- Low (3/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 845
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 53
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 59.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Horry County
- Phone
- (843) 399-2204
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Horry 01- District Enrollment
- 48,205
- Schools in District
- 57
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,222
- District Rank
- #37 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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