The Best Private Schools in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Myrtle Beach. 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-regarded private Catholic school serving students from Pre-K through 8th grade. The school offers a rigorous academic program rooted in Catholic tradition with strong emphasis on character development. Features include modern classrooms, dedicated faculty with advanced degrees, comprehensive STEM curriculum, competitive athletic programs, and extensive fine arts offerings. The school maintains small class sizes and has consistently high academic achievement scores.
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Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach
Independent Christian School
Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach is a premier private Christian school serving grades K-12 with a strong college preparatory focus. The school integrates biblical principles throughout its curriculum and offers advanced placement courses, competitive sports programs, and comprehensive fine arts education. Facilities include modern science labs, technology-enhanced classrooms, athletic fields, and performing arts spaces. The school is known for its strong community atmosphere and high college acceptance rates.
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Lowcountry Preparatory School
Independent College Preparatory School
Located in nearby Pawleys Island and serving the greater Myrtle Beach area, Lowcountry Preparatory School is a highly respected independent school offering Pre-K through 12th grade education. The school features a challenging academic program with Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate options, state-of-the-art facilities including science and technology labs, comprehensive athletic programs, and extensive arts education. Known for its rigorous academics and personalized attention, the school maintains small class sizes and has an excellent track record of college placements.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
What are the main types of private schools available in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and how do they differ?
Myrtle Beach offers a few distinct types of private schools catering to different educational philosophies and needs. The primary options include faith-based schools like St. Andrew Catholic School (PK-8) and Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach (K-12), which integrate religious education with a college-prep curriculum. There are also independent college-preparatory schools like Lowcountry Preparatory School (PK-12), which emphasizes a rigorous academic program, smaller class sizes, and often a broader range of Advanced Placement or honors courses. Unlike larger metropolitan areas, Myrtle Beach has a more limited number of private institutions, so understanding these core distinctions—religious affiliation versus independent college-prep—is key to finding the right fit for your family.
How does the tuition for private schools in Myrtle Beach, SC, compare to the state average, and what financial aid options are typically available?
Tuition for Myrtle Beach private schools generally ranges from approximately $7,000 to $12,000 annually for elementary grades, with high school often being higher. This is somewhat below the average for major South Carolina cities like Charleston or Greenville but is a significant household investment for many Grand Strand families. Importantly, South Carolina offers the Educational Credit for Exceptional Needs Children, a tax credit for expenses related to special needs education, which can apply to private school tuition. Additionally, most local schools, including the Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach and Lowcountry Preparatory, offer need-based financial aid and sibling discounts. It's crucial to inquire directly with each school about their specific aid packages and application deadlines.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs do Myrtle Beach private schools offer that leverage the local coastal environment?
Several Myrtle Beach private schools incorporate the unique Lowcountry and coastal setting into their curricula. Lowcountry Preparatory School, for instance, may offer marine biology programs or environmental science studies that utilize the nearby wetlands and Atlantic Ocean as living laboratories. Schools often organize field trips to Huntington Beach State Park or the Murrells Inlet estuary for ecological studies. Furthermore, the local tourism and hospitality industry can influence business and entrepreneurship electives at the high school level. This regional focus provides students with hands-on learning opportunities that are distinctly tied to the Myrtle Beach community and economy.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in the Myrtle Beach area, and are waitlists common?
The enrollment process for Myrtle Beach private schools often begins in the fall or early winter for the following academic year, with many schools hosting open houses from October to January. Key steps usually include a campus tour, submission of an application (often with a fee), student assessment or shadow day, and records review. Due to the limited number of seats, especially in popular early childhood programs at schools like St. Andrew Catholic School, waitlists are not uncommon for certain grade levels. It is highly advisable for parents to initiate inquiries by November to ensure consideration. Rolling admissions may be available if spots remain, but planning ahead is essential in this market.
For families moving to the area, how do the academic and community environments of Myrtle Beach private schools compare to the larger Horry County public school system?
Choosing between private and public schools in Myrtle Beach often comes down to class size, specific academic focus, and community values. Horry County Schools are large, with some high schools enrolling over 2,000 students, offering extensive elective choices and sports programs. In contrast, private schools like those in Myrtle Beach provide much smaller class sizes (often 15-20 students), allowing for individualized attention and a strong sense of community. Academically, private schools often report higher average standardized test scores and college acceptance rates. However, they lack the tax-funded resources for certain facilities or specialized public school programs. The private school community can be particularly appealing for families seeking a consistent, values-aligned environment from kindergarten through high school in a rapidly growing and transient tourist area.
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