Carolina Forest High School facilitates the growth of all students. Our school empowers students to develop world-class skills and life and career characteristics defined by the profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing opportunities in academics, athletics, and humanities. The academic challenges and opportunities provided are student centered and driven by formative data. Comprehensive digital content and proven instructional practices by highly qualified teachers combine to promote occasions for personalized learning.Our focus for the 2023-2024 school year was cultivating a culture of curiosity among our staff and students. We addressed the importance of being curious and not judgemental through asking questions, embracing new ideas, and listening intently. Our faculty and staff worked collaboratively to provide students with opportunities throughout the year that are centered around academic support, college and career readiness, and mental health awareness. CFHS continues to hold firm to our mission statement to ensure that every student is fully prepared to be a successful contributor in a rapidly changing global society.
The 2023-2024 school year ended with 669 graduates; 244 of whom plan to attend a four-year college or university and 284 whom plan to attend a two-year college. Of these college-bound students, 421 received scholarship offers, totaling approximately $14,321,739.00. Among the many talented students in the senior class, Carolina Forest High School was privileged to have 41 Palmetto Fellows Scholarship students, 421 students eligible for the LIFE Scholarship, and 421 students eligible for the HOPE Scholarship. 416 CFHS graduates earned a Seal of Distinction, 32 graduates plan to serve in the United States Armed Forces, and 41 plan to enter immediate employment. The number of students who successfully completed dual-credit courses increased to 279, of which 164 students completed 2 or more courses successfully.
Academic achievements continued to be competitive at the district and state levels, with our Advanced Placement and SAT scores continuing to exhibit high academic success. Our Advanced Placement enrollment and course offerings continue to be competitive within the district and we are in our seventh year of our STEM Project Lead the Way program, offering engineering, biomedical, cybersecurity, and architectural courses. Carolina Forest was again listed as one of South Carolina’s Best High Schools by the U.S. News and World Report magazine and recognized as a Project Lead The Way Distinguished School.
The CFHS athletes had an incredible year with 16 varsity teams qualifying for the 5A State Playoffs, 11 of which won the Region V 5A Championship. Our Girls Tennis team won the SCHSL 5A State Championship; our Boys Volleyball team was the 5A State Runner Up; and our Girls’ Golf team was the 5A Lower State Runner Up. In the fall, we had a boys swimmer place 3rd in the individual state 200 Free and two girls tennis players finish 1st and 3rd in the individual state championship. In the winter, two wrestlers finished 2nd and 3rd in the individual state tournament, and in the spring a girls track member brought home the 5A State Title in High Jump.
Additionally, Carolina Forest High School NJROTC excelled again this year, earning its 6th straight Distinguished Unit Award, ranking it among the top 30% in the nation. Carolina Forest ranked 2nd in the state this year and had 2 cadets qualify for the National Marksmanship Competition.
Our visual and performing arts programs speak for themselves. The CFHS marching band, the largest in Horry County Schools, received 2 Superior with Distinction state ratings, with 3 All-National Band members, 6 All-State Band members, and 31 All-Region band members. The CFHS marching band received the highest award in the state - The SCBDA Outstanding Performance Award.
Carolina Forest has the largest high school orchestra in Horry County with 44 of our students representing in Horry County’s All-County orchestra, 29 students representing at the region level, and 10 students representing at the state level. The orchestra also received the highest rating of Superior with Distinction at the Concert Performance Assessment held by our South Carolina Music Educators association. Additionally, our performing arts program presented 13 high energy performances of the Tony Award winning Matilda the Musical.
Carolina Forest High School continues to strive for excellence in academics, athletics, and performing arts by maintaining academic rigor, competitive spirit, and high expectations for success. This school year, we saw a resurgence in the participation of our student body and school spirit. The 2023-2024 school year was a chance for our faculty, staff, and student body to experience the true essence of CFHS as we spread our Panther Pride throughout the community. We would like to thank our students, parents, teachers, and community members for their continued support as we progress toward our goals. Without their assistance, our continued progress would not be possible.
Gaye Driggers, Principal
Morgan Bane, SIC Chairman
