Summary:
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, is served by a single elementary school, Seaside Elementary, which enrolls 398 students in grades PK-4 within the Horry 01 district.
For parents, the most important takeaway is that Seaside Elementary is a high-performing school that consistently beats both district and state averages in every subject. In the 2025-2026 school year, 4th graders posted an 84.1% proficiency rate in ELA, which is nearly 19 points above the state average, and 3rd graders hit 73.2% in ELA. Math scores are also strong, with 3rd grade at 67.6% and 4th grade at 65.8%, both well ahead of state norms. The school holds a 4-star rating and ranks in the 81st percentile statewide, placing it in the top 20% of South Carolina elementary schools. It also benefits from a low student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1 and spends $16,330 per student, indicating a strong investment in smaller class sizes and resources.
One area to watch is 3rd grade math, which is the school’s lowest score, though still above average. Additionally, ELA scores shifted notably between years—3rd grade dropped from 81.3% to 73.2%, while 4th grade rose from 76.1% to 84.1%—likely reflecting different cohorts of students. Chronic absenteeism is a clear advantage at 14.1%, far below the district’s 19.4% and the state’s 22.3%, which supports consistent learning. While the school’s state ranking has slipped slightly from 78th to 123rd over three years, its star rating remains solid, suggesting other schools are improving faster rather than Seaside declining. Overall, this is a well-rounded, efficient school that offers a strong academic foundation for young students.
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