(posted on June 18, 2009)

The Horry County Schools' graduating class of 2009 earned $36 million in scholarships, collectively. Among the district's nine high schools, 47 percent of the 2,179 graduates earned scholarships and 78 percent plan to attend either a two-year or four-year college or university. Six percent of graduates plan to join the armed forces, and eight percent plan to enter immediate employment. Of those students attending a post secondary school, 44 percent plan to attend a four-year college or university and 34 percent plan to attend a two-year college.

In the third year of eligibility, seven percent of 2009 graduates earned a Horry County Schools’ Honors Diploma. In addition to meeting the requirements for a State high school diploma, recipients of the Honors Diploma must have a grade point average of 4.0 or higher; a composite SAT score of 1000 or higher in critical reading and math, or a composite ACT score of 22 or higher; five or more courses in math; four or more courses in science; three or more Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or dual credit courses of which two must be AP, IB or earned through the Scholars Academy; three courses in the same foreign language or four courses in two different foreign languages; at least 28 high school credits; and participate in a school-sponsored organization or complete 50 hours of approved community service during high school.

The following is a summary of the total dollar amounts of scholarships earned and the percent of graduates receiving scholarships at each of the district’s nine high schools:

• Aynor High School: $3,727,136; and 32 percent of graduates earned scholarships;
• Carolina Forest High School: $7,322,586; and 56 percent of graduates earned scholarships;
• Conway High School: $3,161,390; and 21 percent of graduates earned scholarships;
• Green Sea Floyds High School: $1,118,546; and 30 percent of graduates earned scholarships;
• Loris High School: $2,496,480; and 42 percent of graduates earned scholarships;
• Myrtle Beach High School: $6,076,574; and 54 percent of graduates earned scholarships;
• North Myrtle Beach High School: $5,148,906; and 63 percent of graduates earned scholarships;
• St. James High School: $6,127,900; and 48 percent of graduates earned scholarships; and
• Socastee High School: $6,741,535; and 61 percent of graduates earned scholarships.