Ocean Drive Elementary is a quaint school that is bordered by homes on all sides. Our school is unique in so many ways to our staff, students, parents, and community. There are connections made to individuals dating back to the 1950s, when the school was originally built. Through numerous phases of construction, Ocean Drive Elementary has created a learning environment that currently houses approximately 945 students on any given day. Currently, we are at capacity with all spaces utilized. We are an approximately ½ mile from the Atlantic Ocean and an approximately ½ mile from the Intracoastal Waterway. We are only one of two elementary schools in the Horry County Schools District located within the city limits. Although we encompass all of the City of North Myrtle Beach elementary students, we also extend north into Little River to include students all the way to the North Carolina state line east of Highway 17.
The City of North Myrtle Beach, in which the school is located, has a population of approximately 20,000 and continues to grow. The median age is 57.3 in the city as compared to the state of South Carolina median of 38.6. Ocean Drive Elementary is not a Title I school, so we seek funding by writing grants, and partnering with businesses from our community. Community members support our school above and beyond through service, support, and giving.
Ocean Drive Elementary is a Preschool to Fifth Grade school with a diverse population. The school is unique in its relationship with our community. On any given day, we estimate 50 plus visits by volunteers or parents joining their child(ren) for lunch.
One of the biggest challenges we face is a growing student population with very little physical space to grow. Another challenge is the large gap between poverty and wealth. Together, these two challenges are something we monitor in the classrooms as well as outside of the classrooms. Therefore, we work diligently with our advisory board and School Improvement Council in order to create solutions and find ways to increase student learning among these challenges. Once A Chief, Always A Chief.
