Gifted Education
Academically gifted education in Horry County Schools is considered part of the identified student's total educational program. The State of South Carolina and the District declares by evaluation and eligibility standards that the gifted child has academic needs that must be met in a differentiated environment. “The mission of gifted education is to maximize the potential of gifted and talented students by providing programs and services that match the unique characteristics and needs of these students.”  The attention to the gifted population focuses on rigor and challenge in the instruction and extension of the South Carolina standards.

Elementary Schools

Students who are eligible for the academically gifted program receive differentiated instruction in math and/or English language arts.  Horry County Schools employs a special class model, guided by SC Regulations and best practices.

Middle and High Schools

Honors and/or Accelerated classes are offered to middle school academically gifted students. These classes utilize challenging and rigorous materials and provide differentiated instruction. The instruction is differentiated through content, process, product and time. English language arts honors/accelerated classes and math honors/accelerated classes are available in the middle schools. All middle schools also offer honors science in eighth grade. 

High schools offer honors classes in the core curriculum as well as Advanced Placement and college credit classes.  In addition,  two high schools also offer IB courses and the IB Diplomma Program. The Scholars Academy is a special program for high-achieving students, based on the campus of Coastal Carolina University.