Ocean Bay Middle, Myrtle Beach SC

Original Research by School Decision on Ocean Bay Middle

Ocean Bay Middle is a regular public school in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, serving grades six through eight as part of the Horry 01 school district. The school sits within a region that has experienced rapid population growth, where the tourism-driven economy and the redevelopment of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base into the Market Common District have reshaped the surrounding community. The permanent residential population mixes with a massive seasonal visitor flow, and the area’s housing market reflects that demand with home values above the state average and rents that are moderate relative to income.

Academically, the school shows a clear pattern. English language arts is a strength across all three grade levels, with strong majorities of students meeting state standards. The seventh- and eighth-grade results are especially high, with more than three out of four students scoring proficient or above. Mathematics proficiency is also above the majority threshold, though it runs somewhat lower than ELA, with roughly six in ten students meeting the bar in each grade. Science results for sixth graders are similarly strong, with over seven in ten scoring proficient. The only social studies data available is from several years ago and on a different assessment, so it does not reflect current performance. South Carolina has made changes to its ELA and science cut scores in recent years, which means direct year-to-year comparisons should be made with caution, but the single-year picture shows a school where the majority of students are meeting state standards in the core subjects tested.

The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial share of Black and Hispanic students, along with smaller groups of Asian students and students identifying as two or more races. About a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, placing the school in a middle-income range. Data on special education and English learner populations was not available, so a parent seeking that information would want to follow up with the school directly. The district-level brief did not identify any major recent changes or strategic initiatives that would affect the school’s operations.

For families considering this school, the academic profile offers a reliable foundation: solid proficiency rates across subjects, with ELA standing out. The school operates within a fast-growing metropolitan area where housing costs are elevated relative to the state, reflecting the desirability of the coastal location. The community’s character is heavily shaped by tourism and hospitality, but the school itself serves a stable residential population. Parents who want a middle school with consistent, above-majority test performance and a diverse but majority-white student body will find that Ocean Bay Middle fits that description. Those looking for detailed program offerings, such as advanced courses or arts pathways, will need to check directly with the school, as the available data does not include that information.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 665%

School 65% · District 47% · ▲ 18 pts above district

▲ 32 pts above state median · ▲ 16 pts above county median

Grade 760%

School 60% · District 41% · ▲ 20 pts above district

▲ 33 pts above state median · ▲ 20 pts above county median

Grade 861%

School 61% · District 41% · ▲ 21 pts above district

▲ 35 pts above state median · ▲ 22 pts above county median

English language arts

Grade 671%

School 71% · District 58% · ▲ 13 pts above district

▲ 18 pts above state median · ▲ 12 pts above county median

Grade 778%

School 78% · District 62% · ▲ 16 pts above district

▲ 22 pts above state median · ▲ 19 pts above county median

Grade 877%

School 77% · District 60% · ▲ 17 pts above district

▲ 24 pts above state median · ▲ 18 pts above county median

Science

Grade 671%

School 71% · District 55% · ▲ 16 pts above district

▲ 28 pts above state median · ▲ 16 pts above county median

Social studies

Grade 790%

School 90% · District 72% · ▲ 19 pts above district

▲ 26 pts above state median · ▲ 17 pts above county median

This schoolHorry 01, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 6Lower-income66%Higher-income74%7 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income73%Higher-income80%7 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income69%Higher-income84%15 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 6Lower-income60%Higher-income69%9 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income53%Higher-income65%11 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income52%Higher-income69%17 pp gap