The News Room

Smoke has been visible and may impact parts of our school district in the Carolina Forest area. The smoke is associated with an afternoon woods fire near North Shore Drive and Red Wolf Trail, near the Black Creek subdivision.

School District leadership and operations are actively monitoring conditions and have implemented several actions to ensure a safe environment for our students and staff. 

April is the Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize and celebrate the strength, resilience, and sacrifices of students whose families serve in our armed forces.

We encourage everyone to wear purple on April 22 for Purple Up Day as a visible show of support and appreciation for military children across our district and community.

In Horry County Schools, we are proud to support our military-connected students and honor the important role they play in our school communities. Their experiences, adaptability, and perseverance make a lasting impact in our classrooms. As a Purple Star District, we are committed to providing resources and support for military families.

Click below to learn more about resources available to military families.

We're hiring bus drivers and mechanics!
Join the HCS Transportation Team and help get our students safely to and from school! Find out more at our job fair on Tuesday, April. 21, 2026. Click below to sign up and receive more information.

The Horry County Board of Education ("Board") seeks to fill a vacancy in its membership for the seat representing the unexpired term for District 5. The vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the Board until the 2028 General Election, at which time a member will be elected from District 5 for the new term which is from 2028 to 2032.

Click the link for more information.

Smoke has been visible and impacting parts of our school district (Conway, Aynor, and Loris). The smoke is associated with a contained wildfire in Marion County (Woodbury area) and likely could linger for a few more days. Again, the fire is contained, and there is no current public safety risk to Horry County. School District leadership and operations are actively monitoring conditions and have implemented several actions to ensure a safe environment for our students and staff. 

April is the Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize and celebrate the strength, resilience, and sacrifices of students whose families serve in our armed forces.

We encourage everyone to wear purple on April 15 for Purple Up Day as a visible show of support and appreciation for military children across our district and community.

In Horry County Schools, we are proud to support our military-connected students and honor the important role they play in our school communities. Their experiences, adaptability, and perseverance make a lasting impact in our classrooms. As a Purple Star District, we are committed to providing resources and support for military families.

Click below to learn more about resources available to military families.

Reminder:

Spring Break is Friday, April 3 through Friday, April 10. Schools and office will be closed. Have a safe and happy break!

We need your input!

The South Carolina Department of Education is asking parents of students in grades 3-12 to participate in a School Climate Survey for their child/children’s school. The survey is managed and completed entirely in the PowerSchool site or app. Visit our instructional page for more information.

Thanks for your help!

Reminder:

Spring Break is Friday, April 3 through Friday, April 10. Schools and office will be closed. Have a safe and happy break!

We need your input!

The South Carolina Department of Education is asking parents of students in grades 3-12 to participate in a School Climate Survey for their child/children’s school. The survey is managed and completed entirely in the PowerSchool site or app. Visit our instructional page for more information.

Thanks for your help!

Horry County Schools is proud to showcase the incredible talent of our students in All-County Band, Chorus, Jazz Band, and Orchestra performances!

Kindergarten and 1st Grade Registration for the 2026-2027 school year for students new to Horry County Schools is now open!

Click below to learn more and begin the registration process.

Registration for returning students (including those kindergarten students who are currently in the Child Development program will open later this Spring.

To help ensure the safety of our students and staff, all schools will dismiss 2 1/2 hours early tomorrow, Monday, March 16, 2026. In addition, all after-school activities, including Kid-Care and athletic activities, are cancelled for tomorrow. 

We are proud to announce our Horry County Schools Rookie Teacher of the Year Finalists!

Selected from an outstanding group of early-career educators, these teachers are already making a meaningful impact in their classrooms and school communities. In just their first three years of teaching, they have shown remarkable dedication, passion, and promise in the profession.

Chosen from an impressive group of semifinalists, these educators exemplify excellence in teaching and a deep commitment to student achievement. Their impact is felt not only in their classrooms, but throughout their schools and communities.

Click below to meet our 2027 Teacher of the Year finalists!

March is National Athletic Training Month, and we want to give a big thank you to the athletic trainers who take care of our student-athletes all year long.

Visit our Fine Arts pages for upcoming performances, news, and a video playlist featuring All-County performances and more!

The St. James High Sharkies dance team won first place in the Varsity Game Day division of the SC Dance Association's 2026 State Dance Team Championship!

Congratulations to Preston Crone (157 lb) of Carolina Forest High School on capturing the Class AAAAA State Wrestling Championship!

Congratulations to Emma Sheppard (110 lb.) of Conway High School on winning State Wrestling Championships in her weight class!

Congratulations to Ella Sheppard (105 lb.) of Conway High School on winning State Wrestling Championships in her weight class!

Reminder for families and community: Schools are closed to students on Monday, Feb. 16 and Tuesday, Feb. 17. Tuesday, Feb. 17 is a teacher work day.

Enjoy the long weekend!

Horry County Schools is proud to showcase the incredible talent of our students in All-County Band, Chorus, Jazz Band, and Orchestra performances!

Congratulations to Jessica Harrell, St. James High's cheer coach! She has been selected to participate in the Tomorrow's 25 Coaching Fellowship — a 10-month program designed to invest in 25 coaches from across the state who have been deemed emerging leaders in high school and middle school athletics.

This past weekend, a team of 8 St. James Sharks participated in the 39th High School Math Competition at USC in Columbia, where they divided their opponents, multiplied their wins, and added a trophy to their shelf!

Staff and parents in the St. James attendance area are invited to participate in an informational meeting this afternoon where you will receive a status update regarding the St. James Elementary Replacement School. We hope you can join us!

Due to the improved travel conditions across our county, Horry County Schools will operate on a normal schedule tomorrow, Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

Thank you again for your continued support of Horry County Schools.

Due to the continuous travel concerns caused by the weekend’s winter weather, Horry County Schools will implement another eLearning day on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. All extracurricular activities, including athletics and other events planned for February 3, 2026, will also be canceled. 

Due to the possibility of hazardous travel conditions caused by the upcoming weekend’s winter weather, Horry County Schools will implement an eLearning day on Monday, February 2, 2026. All extracurricular activities, including athletics and other events planned for Saturday and Sunday (Jan. 31 and Feb. 1) and on Monday, February 2, 2026, will be canceled. 

Horry County Schools is proud to showcase the incredible talent of our students in All-County Band, Chorus, Jazz Band, and Orchestra performances!

Due to the improved travel conditions across our county, Horry County Schools will operate on a normal schedule tomorrow, Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

Thank you again for your continued support of Horry County Schools.

Due to the continuous travel concerns caused by the weekend’s winter weather, Horry County Schools will implement another eLearning day on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. All extracurricular activities, including athletics and other events planned for February 3, 2026, will also be canceled. 

Due to the possibility of hazardous travel conditions caused by the upcoming weekend’s winter weather, Horry County Schools will implement an eLearning day on Monday, February 2, 2026. All extracurricular activities, including athletics and other events planned for Saturday and Sunday (Jan. 31 and Feb. 1) and on Monday, February 2, 2026, will be canceled. 

The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) has recognized Horry County Schools for excellence in budget presentation with the Meritorious Budget Award!

In light of the improved weather forecasts that have reduced the winter effects for our region, Horry County Schools will operate on a normal schedule on Monday, January 26, 2026.

Horry County Schools is proud to celebrate with Scholars Academy High! This school has been selected as one of the 13 finalists for the 2026 Palmetto’s Finest Award!

The HCS leadership team is actively monitoring weather advisories related to the winter storm expected to impact our region this weekend, as well as its potential effects for school operations on Monday, January 26. HCS will issue an update to staff and parents no later than 11 a.m. on Sunday, January 25th, regarding any potential alterations to the schedule for Monday.

Congratulations to HCS Scholars Academy High School, which was named to the College Board’s 2025 AP School Honor Roll at the highest level: Platinum!

Our 11 Teacher of the Year semifinalists were selected from this year’s school-level Teachers of the Year. These exceptional educators represent the dedication, professionalism, and commitment to students found across Horry County Schools.

Click below to meet the semifinalists for HCS Teacher of the Year!

Families are reminded of the following schedule updates. Friday, Jan. 16 is a 2 1/2 hour early dismissal for students. Schools will be closed to students on Monday, Jan. 19 and Tuesday, Jan. 20. Tuesday, Jan. 20 is a teacher work day.

These outstanding employees were nominated by their peers for the dedication, care, and professionalism they bring to their schools and departments every day. Their work supports students, staff, and families across Horry County Schools and makes a lasting impact on our learning community.

Thank you to our board members for their leadership, commitment, and ongoing support of our students, staff, and schools.

As the year comes to a close, we wish our students, families, staff, and community a joyful and restful holiday season.

All Horry County Schools will be closed from December 22, 2025 through January 2, 2026. Classes will resume on Monday, January 5.

The SC Athletic Coaches Association has named Aynor High’s Patrick Wilkinson the Girls Golf Coach of the Year!

Socastee High teacher Lucia Watson has been named the 2025 Teacher Educator of the Year by South Carolina Health Science Educators, a division of the SC Association for Career and Technical Education. Congratulations, Ms. Watson!

For the third year in a row, the Conway High School FFA program has another state champion team! This year, the team brought home first place in the Soil Judging Career Development Event.

It's Holiday Show time across Horry County Schools! 

Our district Fine Arts Calendar is your one-stop shop to get in the spirit of the season. From show choirs and orchestras to tree lightings, plays, and band concerts, our schools offer something for everyone.

Congratulations to Conway Elementary School’s Go Green Club, led by STEM teacher Sandra Matthews, on winning a Champion of the Environment Award this year from the SC Department of Environmental Services! They are one of 13 schools to win the award this year, out of 85 applicants.

Congratulations to Phyllis Elvington! Our Green Sea Floyds High coach has been named the 2025 1A Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year by the South Carolina Track and Cross Country Coaches Association!

Congratulations to the Socastee High Theatre Company. They competed at the South Carolina Theatre Association’s annual convention and brought home major awards.

Socastee won the Studio Series competition and the Overall Best Ensemble Award. Individual honors were also earned by director Meredith Taylor, who won Best Director, and by Justin Rivera, who won Best Actor. Landen Christensen, Quion Johnson Allen, and Parker Vile were named to the All-Star Cast.

Socastee will represent Horry County at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in March in Chattanooga, TN.

Congratulations to the Myrtle Beach High Theatre Company. They competed at the South Carolina Theatre Association’s annual convention and brought home major awards.

Myrtle Beach won the state championship for their production of “The Ninth Train.” Three students earned All-Star Cast honors: Grace Pena, Ethan Benezra, and Jasmine Parlier.

Myrtle Beach will represent Horry County at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in March in Chattanooga, TN.

Inspiring possibilities starts with great educators.

Join a district where teachers are supported, literacy is a priority, and students always come first. Be part of a community that feels like family.

Congratulations to the Green Sea Floyds High Boys Cross Country Team! The Trojans ran Friday, November 14 at the Aiken Steeplechase and won the Class A State Championship!

Today and every day, Horry County Schools honors our nation’s veterans.

We are grateful for the brave men and women who have served in the armed forces and for the sacrifices they’ve made to protect our freedom.

Each Horry County School has selected its Teacher of the Year for the 2025-26 school year. These outstanding educators will be evaluated in the coming months, and one of them will be named the 2027 Horry County Schools Teacher of the Year in the spring. Congratulations and good luck to all of our school-level winners!

On last year’s report card, HCS Scholars Academy High School was ranked the #1 high school in the state. This year, the school went a step further, earning a report card score of 99.7 out of 100, which ranks it #1 among all 1,309 schools in the state that receive a report card, regardless of grade level. Congratulations, Scholars Academy!

Click below for more about HCS' state report card results.

Congratulations to the Socastee High School Boys Volleyball team, SC State Champions!

Playcard Environmental Learning Center welcomes you and your family to a fun-filled day of outdoor activities including pioneer and Native American history, kayaking, trail hiking, arts & crafts, vendors, and refreshing food & drinks! 

On Monday, November 3, marching bands from across the district will once again come together for the annual HCS Band Extravaganza. 

To honor all veterans who have served or are currently serving in our Armed Forces, JROTC departments from across HCS will come together for the inaugural HCS Veterans Day Ceremony.

This event will be held at the Conway High School football stadium at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 8. Everyone is invited!

Mr. Clifford Jones, Superintendent of Horry County Schools, will be holding “Coffee and Conversation with Cliff” events throughout the school year.

The events will both consist of informal listening sessions and discussions. Everyone is invited, and no registration or appointment is needed. Come to any event that meets your schedule.

It's Holiday Show time across Horry County Schools! 

Our district Fine Arts Calendar is your one-stop shop to get in the spirit of the season. From show choirs and orchestras to tree lightings, plays, and band concerts, our schools offer something for everyone.

The South Carolina Council for the Social Studies has named Carolina Forest High’s Tracy Todd as the winner of the 2025 Civil Rights/Civil Liberties Excellence in Teaching Award.

Playcard Environmental Learning Center welcomes you and your family to a fun-filled day of outdoor activities including pioneer and Native American history, kayaking, trail hiking, arts & crafts, vendors, and refreshing food & drinks! 

Congratulations to Ella Kate Barnett from Aynor High School!

Ella Kate claimed 1st Place in the AAA Girls Golf State Championship.

On Monday, November 3, marching bands from across the district will once again come together for the annual HCS Band Extravaganza. 

HCS welcomes the county's first Parker's Kitchen, which held its ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new location in Conway on Monday, October 27. At the ceremony, Parker's Kitchen presented HCS with a $5,000 check as part of its Fueling the Community program

To honor all veterans who have served or are currently serving in our Armed Forces, JROTC departments from across HCS will come together for the inaugural HCS Veterans Day Ceremony.

This event will be held at the Conway High School football stadium at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 8. Everyone is invited!

Red Ribbon Week will be celebrated October 23–31, 2025.

The National Family Partnership (NFP) has announced the theme for 2025 Red Ribbon Week is“Life Is a Puzzle, Solve It Drug Free.”

This year’s theme reminds students that every decision they make is an important piece of life’s larger puzzle. Choosing to live drug-free helps create a complete picture of health, success, and well-being.

The Horry County Board of Education announced that Dr. David Benson is the newly appointed Executive Director of Transportation for Horry County Schools. Dr. Benson has most recently held the position of Director of Student Transportation for the past 19 years, out of his 30-year career in education at Chesapeake Public Schools in Virginia.

The South Carolina State Fair is an annual event held in Columbia every year since 1869. Over the years, it has also added art competitions to its annual lineup. Several Horry County students submitted their artwork to this year’s fair, and we're proud to announce 6 of our students placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in their categories!

Myrtle Beach High's Sarah Merli has been recognized by the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program as one of their Distinguished Teachers for 2025.

Four Horry County Board of Education members earned recognition from the South Carolina School Boards Association (SCSBA) for achievement in the association’s 2024-2025 Boardmanship Institute.  

Wendy Hodges (District 4) and Darrell Ricketts (District 11) both received certificates for completing Level One. Tracy Winters (District 3) and James Edwards (District 9) completed Level Three, earning them both a certificate and a gold pin in recognition of their accomplishments

Reminder: Monday and Tuesday, October 13 and 14 are student holidays. Tuesday, Oct. 14 is a teacher workday.

Congratulations to Jack Guthinger from St. James High School. Jack claimed 1st Place for the Boys, Class AAAAA D2 200 Yard IM at the SC Swimming State Championship on Saturday, Oct. 11.

Congratulations to Jenna Guthinger from St. James High School. Jenna claimed 1st Place for the Girls, Class AAAAA D2 100 Yard Butterfly at the SC Swimming State Championship on Thursday, Oct. 9.

Congratulations to Kathryn Van Ness! This art teacher at Forestbrook Middle has been named the 2026 South Carolina Middle Level Art Teacher of the Year by the SC Art Education Association!

Congratulations to Fabian Lala, member of Myrtle Beach High's class of 2025! U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has announced that Fabian is one of the 161 students recognized as a 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholar for accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields. 

Mr. Clifford Jones, Superintendent of Horry County Schools, will be holding “Coffee and Conversation with Cliff” events throughout the school year.

The events will both consist of informal listening sessions and discussions. Everyone is invited, and no registration or appointment is needed. Come to any event that meets your schedule.

Mr. Clifford Jones, Superintendent of Horry County Schools, will be holding “Coffee and Conversation with Cliff” events throughout the school year.

The events will both consist of informal listening sessions and discussions. Everyone is invited, and no registration or appointment is needed. Come to any event that meets your schedule.

We're hiring bus drivers and mechanics!
Join the HCS Transportation Team and help get our students safely to and from school! Find out more at our job fair on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. Click below to sign up and receive more information.

It's Holiday Show time across Horry County Schools! 

Our district Fine Arts Calendar is your one-stop shop to get in the spirit of the season. From show choirs and orchestras to tree lightings, plays, and band concerts, our schools offer something for everyone.

Horry County Schools will operate on a normal school schedule on Monday, September 29, 2025. Horry County Schools will continue to monitor the storm as heavy rainfall may still be possible for our area. We look forward to seeing our students and staff tomorrow morning.

Horry County Schools is actively monitoring Tropical Depression 8, which is expected to strengthen and develop into Tropical Storm Imelda later today or tonight...

Horry County Schools will continue to maintain close and ongoing communication with Horry County Emergency Management concerning the potential effects of “Future Imelda” over the weekend...

Horry County Schools will continue to maintain close and ongoing communication with Horry County Emergency Management concerning the potential inclement weather that may affect our area next week. As of now, there are no alterations to our school operations.

Mr. Clifford Jones, Superintendent of Horry County Schools, will be holding “Coffee and Conversation with Cliff” events throughout the school year.

The events will both consist of informal listening sessions and discussions. Everyone is invited, and no registration or appointment is needed. Come to any event that meets your schedule.

Sandra Vavalle, a special education teacher from Socastee High, was honored by the Myrtle Beach Bowl and Champion Autism Network (CAN) as part of the Extra Yard For Teachers week!

Join the HCS Transportation Team and help get our students safely to and from school! Find out more at our job fair on Thursday, Sept. 18. Click below to sign up and receive more information.

September 17 through 23 is Constitution Week, which celebrates the foundational document that shapes our nation.

Tracie Mitchell, a special education teacher at North Myrtle Beach High, has been awarded the Richard M. Kuffel Excellence in Education Award from the SC Vocational Rehabilitation Department (SCVRD). This award is presented to someone who understands the importance of collaborative partnerships and exemplifies an innovative approach to providing quality services to students.

For the fourth year in a row, HCS students in kindergarten through fifth grade participated in READCamp, a free virtual summer reading training camp for kids led by author and Super Bowl champion Malcolm Mitchell and his Share the Magic Foundation. Our students competed against over 45,000 students from all 50 states and five countries to see who would read the most books this summer.

This year, over 11,400 HCS students read over 24,000 books over the summer, with 1,330 students earning the title of “READCamp MVP” by reading at least 12 books. Another 1,580 students read at least eight books, making them “READCamp Champions.” 

Today, Horry County Schools remembers the lives lost and honors the heroes of September 11, 2001. We remain committed to sharing the values of unity, courage, and resilience with our students and community. #NeverForget

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the names of 26 Horry County Schools students as Semifinalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These HCS students are among approximately 16,000 Semifinalists who have an opportunity to compete for nearly 7,000 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million.

Ben Prince has been named Chief Operations Officer (formerly Support Services).  Mr. Prince most recently served as Interim Chief Officer of Operations.

Lee James has been named Chief Academic Officer.  Mr. James most recently served as Interim Chief Academic Officer. 

Happy International Literacy Day! Today, HCS celebrates the power of reading to open doors, inspire curiosity, and build brighter futures.

We’re excited to proudly launch the Superintendent’s Reading Challenge—encouraging every student to grow as a reader this year!

Visit our Fine Arts pages and stay up-to-date with videos, scholarship opportunities, and school events centered around the arts in education.

Horry County Schools received a Capital Credit refund from HTC. The HTC Board of Directors approved a 2025 Capital Credit refund of approximately $8.8 million in total to its membership.

HCS students outperformed the state average on all state summative assessments in 2024-2025.

64% of HCS 3rd through 8th graders scored at the highest levels of performance on the SC Ready ELA assessment in 2024-2025 – the highest percentage in Horry County since the test was initiated 10 years ago. 

76.2% of HCS third-year high school students earned their College-and-Career Readiness credential on the South Carolina Career Readiness assessment in 2024-2025, 7 percentage points higher than the state overall.

Schools and office will be closed on Monday, September 1, 2025 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Congratulations to the Loris High FFA! Their chapter has been selected as a 2025 National Chapter Model of Excellence. Out of over 9,000 FFA chapters in the nation, Loris FFA is one of only 10 to earn this distinction.

Congratulations to Carolina Forest, Green Sea Floyds, North Myrtle Beach, and Socastee High Schools on becoming Cognia STEM Certified Schools! These schools join four other HCS high schools that have already earned this distinction: Conway High, St. James High, the Academy for Technology & Academics, and the Academy for the Arts, Science & Technology.

Congratulations to Kimberly Myers, the Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Aynor High School! The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences has announced that she was a finalist for their 2025 National Teacher of the Year award!

Lindsay Lennon, the principal at Ten Oaks Middle School, has been given the Patriot Award by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, which is an office of the Department of Defense. She was nominated by Michael Merolle, who is a teacher at Ten Oaks Middle and also a member of the National Guard.

We're hiring bus drivers and mechanics!
Join the HCS Transportation Team and help get our students safely to and from school! Find out more at our job fair on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. Click below to sign up and receive more information.

Join the HCS Transportation Team and help get our students safely to and from school! Find out more at our job fair on Thursday, Sept. 18. Click below to sign up and receive more information.

South Carolina’s annual Tax Free Weekend is  August 1-3, 2025.

James LaPier has been named an Executive Director of Elementary Education.  Mr. LaPier most recently served as the Director of Instructional Programs & Services and previously served as a principal at North Myrtle Beach Middle School and Lakewood Elementary School. 

The Horry County Board of Education named Tammara Ceaser the new principal at St. James Elementary, beginning the 2025-2026 school year.

The Horry County Board of Education named Ashley Arthur the new principal at Daisy Elementary School, beginning the 2025-2026 school year.

The Horry County Board of Education named Richard Reyes the new principal at Ocean Drive Elementary School, beginning the 2025-2026 school year.

The Horry County Board of Education named Megan Acre the new principal at Ocean Bay Elementary School, beginning the 2025-2026 school year. Megan Acre is currently the interim principal at Ocean Bay Elementary School and will begin her new position on July 1, 2025.

The Horry County Board of Education named Derrick Boyd the new principal at Pee Dee Elementary School, beginning the 2025-2026 school year. Derrick Boyd is currently the assistant principal at Loris Elementary School and will begin his new position on July 1, 2025.