Community Welcomes New Elementary Schools in Carolina Forest, Sparking Mixed Reactions Among Parents

Community Conversations in Myrtle Beach: New Schools on the Horizon!

Hey Myrtle Beach! Exciting news is buzzing around our neck of the woods, especially for families in Carolina Forest. Horry County Schools is gearing up to welcome two brand-new elementary schools next school year—one sprouting up on Carolina Forest Boulevard and the other on Ronald McNair Boulevard! With this addition, we’ll see the number of elementary schools in Carolina Forest rise to five!

What’s Changing?

While the attendance lines for Palmetto Bays Elementary and Waccamaw Elementary will remain the same, some adjustments are coming for Carolina Forest Elementary, Ocean Bay Elementary, and River Oaks Elementary. Parents have been quick to express their thoughts on this news, knowing that more schools are a good thing for our ever-growing community, but also that it’s tough to leave the familiarity of their current schools.

Voices from the Community

One parent, Stephanie Catabia, who has a fourth grader at Ocean Bay Elementary, is feeling a little anxious about the possibility of changing schools next year. She voiced her concerns, stating, “Regardless of the distance, where she’s going to be comfortable, I’d rather her be there.” Stephanie’s daughter has been thriving at Ocean Bay for four years, and the idea of switching—despite the new school being closer to home—is giving her pause. “She knows the teachers, she knows the principal, the assistants, and even the ladies in the lobby. It’s not just a school; it’s our second home,” she shared, emphasizing the connections they’ve made over the years.

Another parent, Lawrence Smith, has a different perspective. His son is set to attend one of the new schools, and he welcomes the change since his son would have been placed at Ocean Bay if the new schools weren’t being built. Lawrence is particularly relieved about the potential reduction in heavy traffic that often plagues the area. “That’s very heavy traffic, so this is very welcome for those of us that don’t want to keep driving over there,” he explained.

A Balancing Act

Lawrence doesn’t mind the new attendance lines, especially since his son is just starting kindergarten. However, he understands the difficult situation that already established families face. “Don’t force parents, because they’re on the wrong side of a zip code, to be forced to go to a school—it’s not a good way to do it,” he said, suggesting that a program or petition could help gauge how many families would prefer to stay put for stability’s sake.

Your Opinion Matters!

Now here’s the kicker: Horry County Schools has opened a feedback form for parents to submit their thoughts on the proposed attendance lines. If you’ve got something to say—now’s your chance! The feedback form is available until November 1, and the hope is to finalize the new lines by the end of the year. They’re also working on picking out school names and mascots, which is a fun part of the process!

So, Myrtle Beach parents, what are your thoughts on these changes? Whether you’re excited about new schools or concerned about switching, your voice is essential in shaping the future of our community’s education. Let’s keep the conversation going as we navigate this transition together!