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Horry County report cards: district posts strong ratings and highest statewide score for Scholars Academy
Summary
District staff reported that 72% of Horry County schools earned 'good' or 'excellent' ratings (70% including charter schools), the on‑time graduation rate reached 86.3%, and Scholars Academy scored 99.34 — the top high‑school score in South Carolina on its first eligible report card.
District assessment staff presented the 2023–24 state report card results and highlighted district achievements and recent changes to state calculations.
The presenter said Horry County Schools had the highest percentage among comparison districts of schools earning a 'good' or 'excellent' overall rating and enumerated key indicators used in the calculation (academic achievement, student progress, multilingual‑learner progress, school climate and preparedness). He noted that including district‑sponsored charter schools slightly lowered the percentage of good/excellent schools from 72% to 70%.
Highlights cited included the district’s highest on‑time graduation rate since the metric’s adoption — 86.3% — and nearly 78% college and career readiness among the class of 2024. The Scholars Academy, eligible for a report card for the first time this year, recorded an overall score of 99.34 and ranked first statewide on its first report card.
Board discussion focused on the technical effect of recent changes to the multilingual progress indicator and state calculations that altered some school ratings; board members urged the public to consider the underlying indicators rather than treat a change in letter or label as an indication that classroom performance has fallen.
Separately, staff presented recognitions including AP Honor Roll acknowledgements, student winners at the South Carolina State Fair and a nutrition services award that will fund culinary training for district staff.
