Horry County Schools Launches “Rise with Reading” Initiative to Boost Literacy

Horry County Schools unveiled the “Rise with Reading” initiative at a school board meeting on Monday, August 26, 2025, aimed at elevating student reading proficiency to 95% by 2030.

During the meeting, board members reviewed current reading metrics showing approximately 75% of students performing at or above grade level and underscored the need for enhanced parental engagement and targeted support to close the gap.

Superintendent Clifford Jones emphasized the critical role of families in literacy development, noting that parents often lack visibility into classroom instruction and require tailored resources to reinforce learning at home. To address this, the district will create an online Parent Resource Portal offering customized reports and instructional guides aligned with each child’s curriculum and proficiency level.

Board members also proposed a collaboration with the Horry County Library to expand access to reading materials and host family literacy workshops at local library branches. The partnership is expected to provide digital and print resources, as well as trained reading coaches, to support both students and parents.

Communications Director Lisa Bourcier highlighted that the portal and library collaboration will roll out this fall, with initial pilot testing in the Carolina Forest and Conway attendance areas. Data from the pilot will inform district-wide implementation slated for January 2026.

The “Rise with Reading” initiative represents a district-wide commitment to literacy, combining data-driven targets with community partnerships to ensure every student achieves grade-level reading proficiency.