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HCS Early College High

Public, Magnet Grades 9-12

5^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 245 South Carolina High Schools

Better than 98% of South Carolina high schools

Summary

HCS Early College High is a small, specialized public high school in Conway, SC, serving 360 students in grades 9-12 on the campus of Horry-Georgetown Technical College, offering students the chance to earn college credits while completing their high school diploma.

This school consistently ranks among the very best in South Carolina—currently #5 out of 245 high schools statewide, and it has held a top-10 position in 9 of the past 10 years. What makes this truly remarkable is that the school achieves these results with a diverse student body where nearly 58% qualify for free or reduced lunch. Test scores are near-perfect: 100% proficiency in English 2, 98.8% in Algebra 1, and 97.3% in English 1—all 30-40 percentage points above state averages. The graduation rate is 97.3%, the dropout rate is just 0.3%, and chronic absenteeism is 8.2%, which is nearly four times lower than nearby Conway High (32.5%) and Myrtle Beach High (30.3%). The school also ranks #1 in the state for Hispanic students and #1-#3 for African American students over the past three years, demonstrating that the early college model works exceptionally well for students of all backgrounds.

The defining feature is the "college within a college" structure. Students are immersed in a college environment daily, which drives engagement and purpose. With a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio and access to college faculty, students receive individualized attention. While HCS Scholars Academy High (just 0.8 miles away) ranks #1 statewide, HCS Early College High's results are nearly as impressive and its spending of $14,777 per student is highly cost-effective given the outcomes. For families in the Horry 01 district, this school offers an exceptional opportunity for students ready to embrace college-level rigor while earning transferable credits—a proven path to postsecondary success.

360

Students ?

15.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,777

Per pupil spending ?

57.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2050 Highway 501 East HGTC
Conway, SC 29528

(843) 349-3131

District: Horry 01

Racial breakdown:

White:

41.9%

African American:

28.1%

Hispanic:

22.5%

See top rated South Carolina high schools

Compare HCS Early College High to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 91st percentile in 2016 → 98th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the South Carolina average (95% vs 69% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 2% of South Carolina high schools

✓97% graduate in 4 years — above the South Carolina average (87%)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school95%

District avg77%

South Carolina avg69%

5^th of 245

South Carolina public high schools ?

Top 2%▲ up 7 pts since 2016

From top 9% (2016) to top 2% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of South Carolina High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 12High Schools in the Horry 01

9^th of 75Horry 01 among South Carolina districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	96.8	5 of 245	98.0%	★★★★★
2025	93.2	6 of 235	97.4%	★★★★★
2024	92.7	7 of 235	97.0%	★★★★★
2023	91.2	10 of 237	95.8%	★★★★★
2022	90.9	8 of 226	96.5%	★★★★★
2021	77.5	25 of 227	89.0%	★★★★☆
2019	82.4	10 of 225	95.6%	★★★★★
2018	88.1	4 of 216	98.1%	★★★★★
2017	85.3	7 of 223	96.9%	★★★★★
2016	79.4	20 of 231	91.3%	★★★★★
2015	75.0	29 of 232	87.5%	★★★★☆
2014	98.5	3 of 210	98.6%	★★★★★
2013	98.9	3 of 203	98.5%	★★★★★
2012	99.3	1 of 202	99.5%	★★★★★
2011	99.3	3 of 199	98.5%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	99.1	3 of 198	98.5%	★★★★★
2025	97.6	3 of 194	98.5%	★★★★★
2024	99.4	1 of 194	99.5%	★★★★★
2023	96.4	5 of 199	97.5%	★★★★★
2022	98.3	3 of 190	98.4%	★★★★★
2021	91.7	4 of 178	97.8%	★★★★★
2019	90.5	6 of 184	96.7%	★★★★★
2018	97.9	3 of 183	98.4%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	95.0	8 of 227	96.5%	★★★★★
2025	93.2	6 of 225	97.3%	★★★★★
2024	90.1	10 of 225	95.6%	★★★★★
2023	87.9	14 of 223	93.7%	★★★★★
2022	88.7	10 of 220	95.5%	★★★★★
2021	71.8	39 of 213	81.7%	★★★★☆
2019	81.7	11 of 213	94.8%	★★★★★
2018	86.6	4 of 210	98.1%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	99.4	1 of 124	99.2%	★★★★★
2025	98.3	1 of 121	99.2%	★★★★★
2024	96.8	1 of 121	99.2%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	98.8	4 of 238	98.3%	★★★★★
2025	96.4	4 of 226	98.2%	★★★★★
2024	96.5	3 of 229	98.7%	★★★★★
2023	96.9	4 of 226	98.2%	★★★★★
2022	95.6	4 of 220	98.2%	★★★★★
2021	91.0	7 of 213	96.7%	★★★★★
2019	89.8	5 of 217	97.7%	★★★★★
2018	94.1	2 of 214	99.1%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	97.7	4 of 231	98.3%	★★★★★
2025	94.0	6 of 224	97.3%	★★★★★
2024	94.5	6 of 228	97.4%	★★★★★
2023	94.9	7 of 229	96.9%	★★★★★
2022	95.7	6 of 224	97.3%	★★★★★
2021	94.1	7 of 215	96.7%	★★★★★
2019	85.5	10 of 218	95.4%	★★★★★
2018	91.5	3 of 213	98.6%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	92.0	5 of 201	97.5%	★★★★★
2025	90.2	5 of 196	97.4%	★★★★★
2024	88.9	7 of 196	96.4%	★★★★★
2023	78.5	31 of 197	84.3%	★★★★☆
2022	90.2	7 of 192	96.4%	★★★★★
2021	69.4	45 of 189	76.2%	★★★★☆
2019	80.6	11 of 191	94.2%	★★★★★
2018	84.4	6 of 185	96.8%	★★★★★

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Hispanic (2026)99th percentile~ school

African American (2026)98th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)98th percentile~ school

Male (2026)98th percentile~ school

White (2026)98th percentile~ school

Female (2026)96th percentile~ school

By subject vs South Carolina (2025-2026) ?

English 2100%+16 vs state

English 196%+35 vs state

U.S. History and the Constitution91%+28 vs state

5.0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, November 2, 2012

This school is amazing.. My daughter has wonderful grades and a 92 in Science, but she is determined to stay after school for tutoring to make sure she has a 4.0 average. The teachers and school brings out the best in the students. It is an amazing opportunity. Close Quote

Schools Near HCS Early College High

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				EOCEP Algebra 1/Mathematics for the Technologies 2 (2026)	EOCEP English 1 (2026)	EOCEP U.S. History and the Constitution (2026)	EOCEP English 2 (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	EOCEP Algebra 1/Mathematics for the Technologies 2 End of Course	EOCEP English 1 End of Course	EOCEP U.S. History and the Constitution End of Course	EOCEP English 2 End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures: Total	Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Non-Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Personnel Spending from State and Local Funds	Non-Personnel from State and Local Funds	Sub-total Spending from State and Local Funds
HCS Early College High	Public, Magnet	9-12	2050 Highway 501 East HGTC	Conway	29528	Horry County	Horry 01	No	Yes	No	Yes	(843) 349-3131	360	23	15.6		151 (41.9%)	101 (28.1%)	81 (22.5%)	5 (1.4%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (5.8%)	96.8	5^th of 245 public high schools	98.0%		93.2	6^th of 235 public high schools	97.4%	1		96.1	90.7	100.0	$14,777	$1,137	$665	$1,802	$11,289	$1,686	$12,975
HCS Scholars Academy High	Public	9-12	642 Century Circle	Conway	29526	Horry County	Horry 01	No	No	No	No	(843) 349-4117	209	13	16.7		158 (75.6%)	9 (4.3%)	8 (3.8%)	21 (10.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (6.2%)	98.1	1^st of 245 public high schools	99.6%		97.7	1^st of 235 public high schools	99.6%			100.0	100.0	100.0	$14,110	$154	$122	$276	$12,432	$1,402	$13,834
Palmetto Academy of Learning Motorsports (PALM)	Public, Charter	9-12	826 West Cox Ferry Road	Conway	29526	Horry County	Horry 01	Yes	No	No	Yes	(843) 903-6600	195	13	15.0		167 (85.6%)	5 (2.6%)	14 (7.2%)	1 (0.5%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (3.6%)	35.6	159^th of 245 public high schools	35.1%		62.2	71^st of 235 public high schools	69.8%	88		44.2	56.4	80.0	$17,355	$1,001	$161	$1,162	$10,296	$5,897	$16,193
Carolina Forest High	Public	9-12	700 Gardner Lacy Road	Myrtle Beach	29579	Horry County	Horry 01	No	No	No	No	(843) 236-7997	3,176	165	19.3		1,788 (56.3%)	437 (13.8%)	639 (20.1%)	72 (2.3%)	13 (0.4%)	3 (0.1%)	224 (7.1%)	78.1	46^th of 245 public high schools	81.2%		72.9	43^rd of 235 public high schools	81.7%	3	80.9	70.3	73.4	90.4	$12,194	$659	$390	$1,049	$9,682	$1,464	$11,146
Conway High	Public	9-12	2301 Church Street	Conway	29526	Horry County	Horry 01	No	No	No	No	(843) 488-0662	1,724	97	17.7		847 (49.1%)	489 (28.4%)	270 (15.7%)	8 (0.5%)	4 (0.2%)	4 (0.2%)	102 (5.9%)	56.2	110^th of 245 public high schools	55.1%		58.4	82^nd of 235 public high schools	65.1%	28		56.9	68.5	83.4	$13,969	$746	$440	$1,185	$10,926	$1,857	$12,784
Socastee High	Public	9-12	4900 Socastee Boulevard	Myrtle Beach	29588	Horry County	Horry 01	No	No	No	No	(843) 293-2513	1,720	95	18.1		1,051 (61.1%)	135 (7.8%)	373 (21.7%)	34 (2.0%)	4 (0.2%)	7 (0.4%)	116 (6.7%)	73.6	56^th of 245 public high schools	77.1%		69	51^st of 235 public high schools	78.3%	5	55.2	72.0	75.5	86.8	$14,081	$686	$426	$1,111	$11,278	$1,691	$12,969
Atlantic Collegiate Academy	Public, Charter	9-12	5086 Bear Bluff Road	Conway	29526	Horry County	Limestone Charters Association	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(843) 286-5990	502	16	31.3		370 (73.7%)	42 (8.4%)	49 (9.8%)	3 (0.6%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	36 (7.2%)	83.4	36^th of 245 public high schools	85.3%		83.2	21^st of 235 public high schools	91.1%	15		74.6	69.7	98.7	$9,591	$204	$559	$763	$3,695	$5,133	$8,828
Academy For Arts/Science/Technology	Public, Magnet	9-12	895 International Drive	Myrtle Beach	29579	Horry County	Horry 01	No	Yes	No	No	(843) 903-8460	0	43	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Coastal High School	Public, Charter	9-12	3710 Palmetto Pointe Boulevard	Myrtle Beach	29588	Horry County	Limestone Charters Association	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(843) 788-9898	198	21	9.6		139 (70.2%)	24 (12.1%)	19 (9.6%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (7.6%)	64.4	82^nd of 245 public high schools	66.5%		53.4	97^th of 235 public high schools	58.7%	15		63.9	61.4	88.2	$14,745	$831	$69	$899	$7,316	$6,530	$13,846
Myrtle Beach High	Public	9-12	3302 Robert Grissom Parkway	Myrtle Beach	29577	Horry County	Horry 01	No	No	No	No	(843) 839-7148	1,510	84	18.0		539 (35.7%)	331 (21.9%)	481 (31.9%)	32 (2.1%)	4 (0.3%)	5 (0.3%)	118 (7.8%)	41.6	151^st of 245 public high schools	38.4%		40.9	138^th of 235 public high schools	41.3%	13		59.2	60.5	73.5	$13,613	$778	$398	$1,176	$10,701	$1,736	$12,437

Frequently Asked Questions about HCS Early College High

Is HCS Early College High a good school?

Yes! HCS Early College High is one of the best high schools in the state. It ranks 5^th of 245 South Carolina high schools.

How many students attend HCS Early College High?

In the 2024-25 school year, 360 students attended HCS Early College High.

What district is HCS Early College High in?

Horry 01

What is the racial makeup of HCS Early College High?

Students at HCS Early College High are 42% White, 28% African American, 23% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

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Latest South Carolina data All new data »

2025–26 EOCEP & SC READY test scoresNewAug 10, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataNov 3, 2025

2024–25 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesNov 3, 2025

2024–25 EOCEP & SC READY test scoresSep 2, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the South Carolina Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.