Summary:
Zip code 29585 in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, is served by two middle schools—Waccamaw Intermediate (grades 4-6) and Waccamaw Middle (grades 7-8)—which together educate about 744 students as part of the Georgetown 01 district.
These two schools form a coordinated feeder system, and both significantly outperform their district and state averages. Waccamaw Middle is the standout, earning a 5-star rating and ranking 11th out of 335 middle schools statewide (97th percentile) for 2025-2026—a remarkable feat given the district itself ranks in the bottom third of South Carolina. Its students post exceptional scores: 84-85% proficiency in ELA, 75-83% in math, and a perfect 100% pass rate on the Algebra 1 end-of-course exam. Waccamaw Intermediate provides a strong foundation, with ELA proficiency ranging from 75-81% and math from 61-75%, both well above state levels. While the intermediate school shows a slight dip in scores during 5th and 6th grades, students experience a dramatic surge upon entering middle school—7th grade math jumps from 60.9% to 75.1% proficiency, and 8th grade math reaches 82.7%, nearly double the state average.
Both schools benefit from low chronic absenteeism (11.8% and 14.6% vs. 22.3% statewide), favorable student-teacher ratios (14.3:1 and 13.7:1), and efficient per-student spending ($14,806 and $15,423). Year-over-year gains are particularly strong at Waccamaw Middle, with 8th grade math improving by 17 points and ELA by 11 points in a single year. Science proficiency at Waccamaw Intermediate (58.5% in 4th grade) is the only area showing room for growth, though it still exceeds state averages. Overall, these schools demonstrate that high achievement is possible despite broader district challenges, making this zip code an attractive option for families prioritizing strong academics.
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