St. James Elementary

Summary:

St. James Elementary is a public elementary school in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, serving 844 students in grades PK-4 and part of the Horry 01 school district, which is ranked 9th out of 75 districts in the state.

St. James Elementary consistently outperforms the state and district averages in standardized test scores, with 74.5% of 3rd graders and 76.2% of 4th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 62% and 63.9% for the Horry 01 district, respectively. In mathematics, 79.8% of 3rd graders and 69.1% of 4th graders were proficient or better, compared to 64.9% and 58% for the district. The school has a higher percentage of White students (77.84%) compared to nearby schools like Carolina Forest Elementary (60.67%) and Palmetto Bays Elementary (43.43%), and a lower percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (52.49%) compared to schools like Myrtle Beach Primary (100%), Palmetto Bays Elementary (100%), and Socastee Elementary (100%).

St. James Elementary has consistently ranked among the top elementary schools in South Carolina, with a ranking of 60th out of 638 schools in the 2023-2024 school year and a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. This high performance suggests the school has effective teaching practices and a strong curriculum, but the racial and socioeconomic disparities compared to nearby schools may be an area for the school to address in terms of promoting inclusivity and supporting students from diverse backgrounds.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-4

 9711 St. James Road
       Myrtle Beach, SC  29588


(843) 650-8220

District: Horry 01

SchoolDigger Rank:
60th of 638 South Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,207 Help


Students who attend St. James Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    St. James Intermediate
    St. James Middle
High:    St. James High

Student/teacher ratio:  14.9 Help
Number of students:  844

Racial breakdown:

White:
77.8%
Hispanic:
9.2%
Two or more races:
6.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  52.5% Help


 See top rated South Carolina elementary schools

 Compare St. James Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details St. James Elementary ranks better than 90.6% of elementary schools in South Carolina. It also ranks 2nd among 26 ranked elementary schools in the Horry 01 School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 89.6. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details St. James Elementary has the largest elementary school student body size in the Horry 01 School District.  (See more...)
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at St. James Elementary is $11,207. 20 elementary schools in the Horry 01 School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

St. James Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks St. James Elementary 60th of 638 South Carolina public elementary schools. (See St. James Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Disabled students:
Male students:
White students:


Horry 01:

SchoolDigger ranks Horry 01 9th of 75 South Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for St. James Elementary

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Rank History for all students at St. James Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 72.90 136th 542 74.9%
2004 71.70 152nd 550 72.4%
2005 63.91 217th 557 61.0%
2006 68.80 168th 559 69.9%
2007 64.30 199th 566 64.8%
2008 68.19 178th 577 69.2%
2009 66.30 190th 580 67.2%
2010 68.03 174th 589 70.5%
2011 76.19 115th 597 80.7%
2012 72.85 142nd 594 76.1%
2013 70.21 165th 599 72.5%
2014 74.62 133rd 630 78.9%
2015 73.78 106th 638 83.4%
2016 79.13 106th 619 82.9%
2017 83.28 89th 639 86.1%
2018 89.42 54th 624 91.3%
2019 92.19 35th 643 94.6%
2021 90.13 57th 622 90.8%
2022 86.89 76th 625 87.8%
2023 90.12 59th 644 90.8%
2024 89.60 60th 638 90.6%
See the entire list of South Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at St. James Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 94.14 11th 588 98.1%
2019 97.33 3rd 600 99.5%
2021 96.93 5th 580 99.1%
2022 92.08 26th 600 95.7%
2023 96.78 5th 608 99.2%
2024 91.33 26th 599 95.7%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at St. James Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 94.39 18th 570 96.8%
2019 89.47 41st 588 93.0%
2021 90.32 42nd 554 92.4%
2022 80.93 103rd 573 82.0%
2023 90.67 40th 580 93.1%
2024 88.03 48th 565 91.5%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at St. James Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 93.16 6th 161 96.3%
2022 79.39 22nd 151 85.4%
2023 79.65 28th 174 83.9%
2024 61.48 46th 143 67.8%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at St. James Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 73.26 31st 147 78.9%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at St. James Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 79.82 103rd 571 82.0%
2019 92.11 32nd 590 94.6%
2021 85.86 69th 561 87.7%
2022 89.56 50th 579 91.4%
2023 86.38 67th 582 88.5%
2024 88.38 52nd 568 90.8%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at St. James Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 75.32 95th 457 79.2%
2019 82.61 57th 472 87.9%
2021 78.55 80th 439 81.8%
2022 66.66 148th 455 67.5%
2023 77.41 98th 463 78.8%
2024 78.25 78th 441 82.3%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: South Carolina Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

St. James Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 




Data source: South Carolina Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
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Enrollment information for St. James Elementary

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 786 149 30 0 4 n/a n/a 0 969
1989 572 73 11 4 2 n/a n/a 0 662
1990 597 110 5 1 1 n/a n/a 0 714
1991 650 106 6 4 1 n/a n/a 0 767
1992 699 108 5 1 1 n/a n/a 0 814
1993 648 93 5 5 1 n/a n/a 0 752
1994 711 107 3 4 1 n/a n/a 0 826
1995 835 101 6 4 3 n/a n/a 0 949
1996 835 101 6 4 3 n/a n/a 0 949
1997 552 66 7 6 1 n/a n/a 0 632
1998 410 80 4 5 2 n/a n/a 0 501
1999 410 108 5 7 1 n/a n/a 0 531
2000 467 110 7 11 4 n/a n/a 0 599
2001 507 119 7 19 5 n/a n/a 4 661
2002 584 112 9 20 0 n/a n/a 5 730
2003 584 112 9 20 0 n/a n/a 5 730
2004 616 116 11 29 1 n/a n/a 6 779
2005 707 122 16 36 1 n/a n/a 8 890
2006 810 134 21 57 5 n/a n/a 7 1034
2007 938 162 25 66 7 n/a n/a 0 1198
2008 579 87 19 26 5 n/a n/a 10 726
2009 591 93 20 28 9 n/a n/a 16 757
2010 616 102 10 25 9 n/a n/a 13 775
2011 631 85 11 37 7 6 39 0 816
2012 659 79 11 45 6 10 50 0 860
2013 672 73 19 48 5 6 48 0 871
2014 697 75 16 40 4 6 48 0 886
2015 719 76 14 42 3 4 44 0 902
2016 677 56 11 62 2 9 51 0 868
2017 686 56 13 63 1 5 52 0 876
2018 591 42 11 60 2 2 59 0 767
2019 592 37 13 63 1 3 62 0 771
2020 624 49 10 77 2 4 57 0 823
2021 573 48 10 73 3 3 43 0 753
2022 625 47 13 80 4 3 44 0 816
2023 657 36 13 78 4 3 53 0 844

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at St. James Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 969 52.0 18.6 n/a
1989 662 38.0 17.4 n/a
1990 714 35.9 19.8 n/a
1991 767 40.6 18.8 19.7
1992 814 43.2 18.8 21.5
1993 752 42.0 17.9 25.4
1994 826 43.0 19.2 29.4
1995 949 54.0 17.6 35
1996 949 54.0 17.6 35
1997 632 35.0 18.1 32.3
1998 501 33.0 15.2 36.1
1999 531 32.0 16.6 40.5
2000 599 40.0 15.0 42.6
2001 661 39.1 16.9 45.1
2002 730 42.0 17.4 44
2003 730 42.0 17.4 44
2004 779 46.0 16.9 43.6
2005 890 47.5 18.7 44.1
2006 1034 63.0 16.4 44.6
2007 1198 93.5 12.8 41.9
2008 726 43.0 16.9 37.7
2009 757 43.0 17.6 44.7
2010 775 42.0 18.4 46.7
2011 816 43.0 18.9 49
2012 860 50.0 17.2 48.7
2013 871 52.0 16.7 46.3
2014 886 52.0 17.0 43
2015 902 51.0 17.6 39.1
2016 868 50.0 17.3 38.8
2017 876 50.5 17.3 37.7
2018 767 44.5 17.2 34.9
2019 771 46.0 16.7 34.2
2020 823 49.5 16.6 37.5
2021 753 51.5 14.6 29.1
2022 816 53.5 15.2 21.9
2023 844 56.5 14.9 52.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio St. James Elementary

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 969 52.0 18.6 n/a
1989 662 38.0 17.4 n/a
1990 714 35.9 19.8 n/a
1991 767 40.6 18.8 19.7
1992 814 43.2 18.8 21.5
1993 752 42.0 17.9 25.4
1994 826 43.0 19.2 29.4
1995 949 54.0 17.6 35
1996 949 54.0 17.6 35
1997 632 35.0 18.1 32.3
1998 501 33.0 15.2 36.1
1999 531 32.0 16.6 40.5
2000 599 40.0 15.0 42.6
2001 661 39.1 16.9 45.1
2002 730 42.0 17.4 44
2003 730 42.0 17.4 44
2004 779 46.0 16.9 43.6
2005 890 47.5 18.7 44.1
2006 1034 63.0 16.4 44.6
2007 1198 93.5 12.8 41.9
2008 726 43.0 16.9 37.7
2009 757 43.0 17.6 44.7
2010 775 42.0 18.4 46.7
2011 816 43.0 18.9 49
2012 860 50.0 17.2 48.7
2013 871 52.0 16.7 46.3
2014 886 52.0 17.0 43
2015 902 51.0 17.6 39.1
2016 868 50.0 17.3 38.8
2017 876 50.5 17.3 37.7
2018 767 44.5 17.2 34.9
2019 771 46.0 16.7 34.2
2020 823 49.5 16.6 37.5
2021 753 51.5 14.6 29.1
2022 816 53.5 15.2 21.9
2023 844 56.5 14.9 52.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for St. James Elementary

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YearPersonnel Expenditures from Federal FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from Federal FundsTotal Expenditures from Federal FundsPersonnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $808 (8.5%) $195 (2.0%) $1,003 (10.5%) $7,508 (78.9%) $1,002 (10.5%) $8,509 (89.4%) $9,513
2020 $580 (6.0%) $189 (1.9%) $769 (7.9%) $7,912 (81.4%) $1,044 (10.7%) $8,956 (92.1%) $9,725
2021 $579 (5.8%) $229 (2.3%) $808 (8.1%) $8,207 (82.7%) $908 (9.2%) $9,115 (91.9%) $9,923
2022 $754 (6.7%) $740 (6.5%) $1,494 (13.2%) $8,844 (78.0%) $994 (8.8%) $9,839 (86.8%) $11,332
2023 $965 (8.6%) $438 (3.9%) $1,403 (12.5%) $8,846 (78.9%) $958 (8.5%) $9,804 (87.5%) $11,207

Data source: South Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on St. James Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 35th of 643 Elementary schoolsRanks 59th of 644 Elementary schools
 3.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (St. James Elementary)70.675.7
 5.1%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Horry 01)57.760.7
 3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)49.753.5
 3.8%
3rd Grade Mathematics (St. James Elementary)7876.1
 1.9%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Horry 01)69.362.1
 7.2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)57.753.6
 4.1%
4th Grade Science (St. James Elementary)77.469.4
 8%
   4th Grade Science (Horry 01)6353
 10%
   4th Grade Science (South Carolina)5246.6
 5.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (St. James Elementary)76.874.1
 2.7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Horry 01)58.262
 3.8%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)51.357.2
 5.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (St. James Elementary)78.168.8
 9.3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Horry 01)61.953.3
 8.6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)50.547
 3.5%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students771844
 9.5%
African American3736
 2.7%
American Indian14
 300%
Asian1313
Hispanic6378
 23.8%
Pacific Islander33
White592657
 11%
Two or More Races6253
 14.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients34.2%52.5%
 18.2%


Schools Near St. James Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about St. James Elementary

Yes. St. James Elementary ranks in the top 9.4% of South Carolina elementary schools.

Students who attend St. James Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : St. James Intermediate
Middle : St. James Middle
High : St. James High

Students at St. James Elementary are 78% White, 9% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 4% African American, 2% Asian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 844 students attended St. James Elementary.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the South Carolina Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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