Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 29577

Zip code 29577 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is served by four elementary schools within the Horry 01 school district, enrolling roughly 2,651 students across a mix of traditional public schools and one charter school.

For parents, the standout option in this area is clearly Palmetto Academy of Learning and Success Charter. This K-8 charter school ranks in the top 12% of all South Carolina schools and posts exceptional test scores, with ELA proficiency between 88.8% and 94.3% and math proficiency above 82% in 3rd and 4th grades—30 and 25 percentage points higher than district averages, respectively. It also has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (5.3%) and the lowest student-teacher ratio (14.5) in the area, all while spending about $2,900 less per student than the district average. In contrast, the three traditional public schools—Myrtle Beach Elementary, Myrtle Beach Primary, and Myrtle Beach Early Childhood—form a feeder pattern but struggle academically, with Myrtle Beach Elementary scoring 15-21 points below district averages in ELA and math.

Attendance is a major differentiator. Chronic absenteeism rises from 15.4% at Myrtle Beach Elementary to 20.1% at Myrtle Beach Primary and peaks at 25.1% at Myrtle Beach Early Childhood, which exceeds both district and state averages. This early-grade absenteeism is concerning since it can compound into later struggles. Additionally, math proficiency declines sharply across grade levels at both the charter and traditional schools, and science proficiency is a universal weak point. The charter school's middle school performance narrows its advantage, with math scores dropping to 44.5-55.5% by 6th-8th grade. Overall, the charter school demonstrates that strong outcomes are achievable with efficient spending, while the traditional feeder system faces challenges in attendance and academic performance that warrant attention.