HORRY CO., SC (WBTW)- The South Carolina department of education recently released its annual school drop out rate report. While the state drop out rate increased slightly, more than half of school districts statewide saw a decrease in dropouts.
The dropout rate in Horry County is down district wide, but some high schools in the county saw dozens of drop outs. Conway High School tops that list with 53 students who dropped out in the 2016-2017 school year and Myrtle Beach High School at 47. Statewide, 52 percent of drop outs happen by a student’s 10th grade year.
“They became the sole bread winner for the family or they were behind as to their overall age to their grade level,” said John Washburn.
John Washburn, executive director of accountability and instruction with the district said the district has several initiatives to help students graduate.
Counselors meet with students and families to come up with a graduation plan and students can utilize Horry County’s Online classes to catch up.
“Students have an opportunity to recover a credit that they may have failed previously and do that at the same time while they’re still moving forward,” said Washburn.
Horry County’s main focus is building positive relationships with students.
“There’s a trusted adult for every one of those kids in a school, whether that be a teacher, custodian, cafeteria worker, guidance counselor, administrator it doesn’t matter. We want to make sure those students understand we care about them,” said Washburn.
Washburn said as a former Myrtle Beach High School principal, he knows how much drop out rates affect our area.
“I would let the city council know, and gave them sort of a state of the school address because the success of the school inevitably going to be the success of the area,” said Washburn.
To compare the dropout rate at your child’s school to others in the state click here
