HCS Outperforms State on Three Major Assessments

August 10, 2026

Summary

1. HCS students outperformed the state average on all state summative assessments in 2025-2026.
2. 67% of HCS 3rd through 8th graders scored at the highest levels of performance on the SC Ready ELA assessment in 2025-2026 – the highest percentage in Horry County since the test was initiated 11 years ago.
3. 80% of HCS third-year high school students earned their Career Readiness credential on the South Carolina Career Readiness Test in 2025-2026, more than 7 percentage points higher than the state overall.

For another consecutive year, Horry County Schools students outperformed state averages on key academic benchmarks. According to results recently released by the South Carolina Department of Education, Horry County Schools students surpassed their peers statewide on three major measures during the past school year.

Scores on SC READY — a standardized test for third through eighth graders in English, math, and science — are reported as “exceeds standard,’ “meets standard,” “approaches standard,” or “does not meet standard” in all areas.

HCS students scoring at the “meets or exceeds standard” levels on the English portion of SC READY exams were 6 percentage points higher than state averages. The number of HCS students scoring “meets” or “exceeds” on the ELA exam increased this year by an average of 3 percentage points, with the largest increase in performance among HCS 6th graders, who scored an amazing 6 percentage points higher than last year.

On the science portion of the SC READY, HCS students in grades four and six were 6 percentage points higher overall than state averages for students scoring at the “meets or exceeds standard.” Math scores in those categories were 5 percentage points higher. 

The percentage of Multilingual Learner (MLL) and African American students scoring at the “meets or exceeds” level increased by 6 and 4 percentage points, respectively, compared with the previous year.

The End-of-Course Examination Program, or EOCEP, measures achievement in four core high school courses: Algebra I, Biology, English II, and U.S. History and Constitution.

HCS students surpassed state averages on all four tests.

In Algebra I, 78% of district students passed the exam, ahead of the state’s average passage rate of 65%.

In Biology, 70% of district students passed the exam, compared to 61% statewide.

In English II, 87% of district students passed the exam, exceeding the state’s average of 84%.

In U.S. History and Constitution, 73% of district students passed the exam, compared to 63% statewide.

The South Carolina Career Ready Test is given to third-year high school students to measure employability skills in math, reading, and data. Assessments are given an achievement and scale score from one to five based on federal Department of Education standards.

To be career-ready, students must score a three or higher.

Of the HCS students who completed all three employability skills assessments, 80% received a credential, with 61% earning a three or higher. Statewide, only 72% received a credential, and 52% earned a three or higher.

As HCS celebrates these record-setting achievements, the success of the Rise with Reading campaign underscores the important role strong literacy skills play in preparing students for academic excellence, career readiness, and lifelong learning. As HCS continues to raise expectations and expand opportunities, these results serve as a testament to the district's ongoing commitment to student achievement and future success.