Milestone hit in construction of new Carolina Forest schools

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF) - Two elementary schools coming to Carolina Forest are a step closer to opening.

Horry County Schools held a topping-off ceremony for the schools Tuesday morning, marking the completion of the framework of the buildings.

HCS leaders signed the final beams that were put into place for the schools. One of the schools sits at the corner of Ronald McNair Boulevard and Christa McAuliffe Street, and the other at the corner of Carolina Forest Boulevard and Stafford Drive.

Officials are proposing the school on Ronald McNair Boulevard be named Pine Island Elementary, with the Pelicans as its mascot. The school on Carolina Forest Boulevard may be named Ten Oaks Elementary, home of the Red Foxes.

HCS will vote to finalize the names and mascots of both schools at a Monday board meeting.

Both schools will have a capacity of 1200 students and are scheduled to open in August 2025. The schools will impact attendance lines in Carolina Forest.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Carolina Forest parents weigh in on proposed attendance lines for new elementary schools

Horry County School Board leaders said the education capital improvement one-cent sales tax helped fund the new schools.

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