The Best Private Schools in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Murrells Inlet. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Andrew Catholic School
Diocese of Charleston
St. Andrew Catholic School is a highly-rated private institution serving the Grand Strand area including Murrells Inlet. The school offers a comprehensive Pre-K through 8th grade education with strong emphasis on faith-based learning and academic excellence. Features include modern classrooms, dedicated faculty with advanced degrees, competitive athletic programs, and robust extracurricular activities. The school maintains small class sizes and has a reputation for preparing students well for high school with strong foundational skills in mathematics, language arts, and sciences.
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Lowcountry Preparatory School
Independent
Lowcountry Preparatory School is an acclaimed independent day school serving Murrells Inlet and the surrounding Waccamaw Neck area. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum from Pre-K through 12th grade with exceptional college acceptance rates. Notable features include state-of-the-art science laboratories, comprehensive arts programs, competitive athletics, and unique coastal environmental education opportunities. The school emphasizes character development and community service while maintaining small student-teacher ratios for personalized attention.
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Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach
Independent Christian
Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach provides a comprehensive K4-12th grade education with a strong biblical worldview, serving families throughout the Grand Strand including Murrells Inlet. The school features a challenging academic program with honors and dual enrollment options, modern technology integration across all grade levels, and extensive athletic and fine arts programs. The campus includes well-equipped classrooms, science labs, performance spaces, and athletic facilities. The school is known for its strong community atmosphere and commitment to developing students academically, spiritually, and socially.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
What are the primary private school options serving families in Murrells Inlet, SC, and what are their key characteristics?
While Murrells Inlet itself is a smaller community, families typically look to nearby schools in the greater Grand Strand area. The most prominent options include St. Andrew Catholic School in Myrtle Beach (Pre-K-8), offering a faith-based education; Lowcountry Preparatory School in Pawleys Island (Pre-K-12), known for its college-prep focus and smaller class sizes; and Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach (K-12), providing a Protestant Christian curriculum. It's important to note that commuting to these schools from Murrells Inlet is common, with drive times ranging from 15 to 30 minutes. There are very few, if any, private school campuses physically located within Murrells Inlet's town limits.
How does South Carolina's tuition tax credit program, like the Educational Credit for Exceptional Needs Children, impact private school affordability for Murrells Inlet residents?
South Carolina offers several financial aid mechanisms that can significantly affect tuition costs for Murrells Inlet families. The Educational Credit for Exceptional Needs Children (ECENC) provides a state income tax credit for expenses related to private school tuition for students with special needs. More broadly, the South Carolina Educational Credit for Tuition (also known as the S.C. Tuition Tax Credit) allows taxpayers to receive a credit for contributions to Scholarship Funding Organizations (SFOs) that provide grants to eligible students for private school tuition. Many local private schools, including those serving the Murrells Inlet area, have partnerships with these SFOs. It's crucial to consult with both the school and a tax advisor to understand eligibility and application processes for these state-specific benefits.
Given Murrells Inlet's coastal environment, do any local private schools offer specialized programs in marine science or environmental studies?
Yes, the unique coastal ecology of the Murrells Inlet and Grand Strand area is leveraged by some schools. Lowcountry Preparatory School in nearby Pawleys Island, for instance, has a strong science department that incorporates local ecosystems into its curriculum. Their proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, salt marshes, and the Huntington Beach State Park provides opportunities for hands-on field studies and projects related to marine biology, environmental science, and conservation. While not all private schools have a formal marine science "major," many integrate these local resources into their science and elective offerings, providing an education connected to the region's natural assets.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in the Murrells Inlet area, and are there long waitlists?
Enrollment timelines for schools like Lowcountry Preparatory, St. Andrew Catholic, and Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach generally begin in the winter (January-February) for the following academic year. Many host open houses from fall through early spring. Due to the limited number of private school seats in the area relative to demand, especially in the lower and middle grades, waitlists are common at the most sought-after institutions. It is highly advisable for Murrells Inlet families to begin the inquiry process at least a year in advance. The process typically involves an application, student assessment or shadow day, records review, and often a family interview. Some schools give priority to siblings of current students and members of their affiliated religious communities.
How do the class sizes and student-to-teacher ratios in Murrells Inlet area private schools compare to those in Horry County public schools?
This is a key differentiator. Private schools serving Murrells Inlet, such as Lowcountry Preparatory School, often boast significantly smaller class sizes, typically ranging from 12 to 18 students, with student-to-teacher ratios as low as 10:1 or 12:1. In contrast, Horry County Schools, which include Murrells Inlet's public options, have average class sizes that are often at or near state maximums, which can be in the mid-to-high 20s for elementary grades and even higher in secondary levels. The smaller, more personalized environment is a primary driver for many families choosing private education in this region, allowing for more individualized attention and differentiated instruction.
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