Best Public Schools in Zip Code 29577

Zip code 29577 in Myrtle Beach, SC, is served by six schools within the Horry 01 district, enrolling about 5,307 students across elementary, middle, and high school grades, with the district itself ranking in the 88th percentile statewide.

For parents, the standout choice is clearly Palmetto Academy of Learning and Success Charter, which outperforms every other local school in nearly all subjects—boasting 88.8% third-grade ELA proficiency versus 52.8% at Myrtle Beach Elementary—while also having the lowest chronic absenteeism (5.3% vs. the district's 19.4%) and the lowest per-student spending at $10,311. In contrast, the traditional public schools show significant struggles: Myrtle Beach High has dropped from the 63rd to the 38th percentile in state rankings over two years, with a 30.3% chronic absenteeism rate and a graduation rate (85.7%) below the district average. Myrtle Beach Middle faces a math crisis, with proficiency rates in the mid-30s—well below district averages—while Myrtle Beach Early Childhood spends the most per student ($15,103) yet has a 25.1% chronic absenteeism rate.

Key takeaways include a persistent math achievement gap across all traditional schools (math trails ELA by 10-20 points), and an "Algebra 1 anomaly" where Myrtle Beach Middle shows 100% proficiency on that exam while only 37.9% of 8th graders pass grade-level math—suggesting only advanced students take it. Even Palmetto Academy sees a sharp math decline in upper grades, dropping from 83.4% in 3rd grade to 44.5% in 6th. The district's strong overall ranking masks these local weaknesses, so parents should look beyond district-level data and focus on individual school performance, particularly attendance and math outcomes, when making decisions.