Frequently Asked Questions - Myrtle Beach High

How do I make an appointment to see my Guidance Counselor?
Call the Guidance Office at 843-445-2032 or stop by the Guidance Office before school, after school, at break or during lunch. The Guidance Secretary will schedule a time for you to meet with your Counselor during an elective class, before the school day starts, or at the end of the school day.

How do I obtain a copy of my transcript?
See or call the Guidance Secretary or your Guidance Counselor. Please be sure to specify whether you need an official or unofficial copy of the transcript.

How do I register for the ACT and/or SAT?
We recommend that you meet with your Guidance Counselor to decide which test(s) you should take. MBHS can issue mail-in or online registration information. For more information visit the ACT or SAT websites

Is the SAT or ACT required for admission to Horry Georgetown Technical College?
Both the SAT and ACT can serve as the admissions test into HGTC, however they are not required. HGTC also offers the COMPASS Test as an admissions test and it is free of charge for one time only. For more information about the COMPASS Test, please visit the HGTC website.

How can I update my contact information?
You will need to complete a change of information form in the Guidance Office anytime your phone numbers, mailing address, home address, or e-mail address change.

How and when do I apply to colleges?
You should complete college application in the first quarter of senior year; however your college search should begin no later than the summer of your junior year. You can complete applications online at each school’s website or obtain paper copies for many South Carolina colleges and universities in the MBHS Guidance Office. Also, students must complete a MBHS College Application Coversheet for EVERY college they apply to for admission (this includes PAPER and ONLINE applications). Finally, be sure to pay close attention to application deadlines!

What can Guidance do to help me decide on a career or college major?
MBHS Guidance offers two Career Assessments: South Carolina Career Information System (SCOIS) and Kuder Career Assessment. Both of these surveys can be used to help students make informed choices about possible Career and College Majors.

How do I find out about which scholarships my child may be eligible for?
Myrtle Beach High School receives many scholarship notices throughout the school year which are posted in various locations throughout the school, including the guidance office and the Scholarships link on the MBH Guidance website This listing provides detailed descriptions about each scholarship, including the qualifying criteria. .

Should my child take the ACT or SAT?
Although most colleges will accept both tests, parents and students should learn which college admissions test is required by the colleges which they plan to apply to for admissions. If scores from either test are accepted, the student should consult with their guidance counselor about which test might be the best one for the student. Ultimately, the best test is the one that shows the student in the best light.

When should my child take the ACT or SAT College admissions test?
It is recommended that your student take the college entrance tests at least twice during the spring of their junior year; however they may take both earlier. It is recommended that the student take the PLAN test and/or the PSAT during their sophomore year. These tests are used to predict how a student might perform on the ACT and SAT College admission tests.

What is the difference between my child’s weighted and unweighted GPA?
The unweighted GPA is the traditional grade point average scale which is based on a 4.00 grading scale. The weighted GPA is based on the Unifrom Grading Scale which has been adopted by the SC Department of Education. This scale is based on a 5.87 (maximum) grading scale and offers greater point value for honors level and advanced placement level courses. Unless otherwise specified, colleges are generally provided with both averages.

Frequently Asked Questions from Transition Meetings

1. How many credits do I need to graduate? All diploma candidates must earn 24 units and pass the HSAP (exit exam), in order to receive a SC Diploma.

2. Can I earn a diploma higher than the standard one? Yes. Upon successful completion of prescribed courses and based on SAT/ACT scores, students are eligible for the SC Honors Diploma and/or the Horry County Schools Honor Diploma.

3. Do I have to take PE every year? No. The state of SC only requires one year of PE or ROTC for graduation. However, PE II, III or IV are available electives.

4. Do I have to have a foreign language to graduate? No. You must pass only one foreign language OR a career and technical education class. However, you WILL need 2 or 3 foreign classes for college. MBHS offers Spanish I, II, III, and AP Online; French I, II, III and IV.

5. Do students really have to declare a major? Yes. The new EEDA requires that, beginning with the class of 2011, every student will choose a major within the sixteen career clusters. This process in initiated in the eighth grade. This assists the student, parent/guardian and counselor in developing the four year plan of study.

6. When will I sign up for classes and when will I get my schedule? Students will register for classes during their IGP conferences. Schedules are picked up during the registration date(s), which are set by the district.

7. How will I know what materials are required for each class? Students traditionally purchase standard school supplies (pens, pencils, binders, etc.) during the summer. However, some courses may require alternate or additional materials. Teachers will provide this information during the first few days of class.

8. How long is each class? Myrtle Beach High School runs THREE different type schedules. The first is a 4x4 semester block schedule. Classes are 90 minutes long and run for 90 days (one semester/term). Some students are on a year long schedule. Core academic subjects are taken all year and are 55 minutes long. Their electives are at the beginning or end of the day. The third schedule is a combination of semester block and A/B day (usually electives). Students have four 90 minute classes and they have two electives which alternate (A/B) days.

9. Will I take exams in each class? Yes. Semester class exams are administered at the completion of the course. There are some courses which have state EOC (End-Of-Course) exams: Algebra I/Math Tech 2; English I and Physical Science. These count for 20% of your grade.

10. How many credits do I need to move to the 10^th grade? Freshmen must pass 5 credits to be considered a sophomore (English I, math and 3 additional courses). All students are encouraged to successfully complete ALL courses.

11. How many credits can I earn each year? Students may earn 7-8 credits per year.

12. How many days can I miss from school? All students are allowed to miss 5 days in a semester class and 10 days in a year long class (un-excused).

13. If I am absent from school, how can I get my make- up work? If a syllabus is not provided, parents may call the school and request assignments. We ask that teachers be given a 24 hour notice, when at all possible.

14. If I need help in a class, how can I get it? All MBHS teachers have tutorial schedules. It is up to the individual student and parent(s)/guardian(s) to ask the teacher for his/her schedule.

15. Other than sports, what activities are available? MBHS offers a variety of service clubs, faith-based organizations and performing arts groups (band, theater).

16. Can I take the SAT/ACT in the 9^th grade? It is not recommended that students take the SAT/ACT prior to the completion of 20 or more academic units of credits. These college admission tests examine critical reading, grammar, writing, math and science that are taught during the junior year. Juniors may qualify for scholarship opportunities based on PSAT/PLAN and/or SAT/ACT scores.

17. How often will I get a report card? All Horry County Schools get report cards 4 times per year. MBHS issues report cards to students. They are expected to provide the parent(s)/guardian(s) with this report. Parents are encouraged to make note of the dates on which report cards are sent home. Copies can be obtained from the Guidance office. Parents/Guardians are also able to check daily grades through the Power School portal.

18. Can I leave for lunch? No. MBHS operates on a closed campus system. Students may bring their lunch or they may purchase food from the cafeteria. All students eat in the cafeteria.

19. When can I apply for scholarships? Traditionally, most scholarship opportunities are available to seniors. However, MBHS recommends that ALL students become familiar with the scholarships that are offered to our students by visiting the MBHS web site and viewing the Guidance link or by stopping by the Guidance office to go through the Scholarship drawer. Scholarships are updated weekly.

20. How can I make an appointment with a guidance counselor? The MBHS Guidance Team works by appointments. Students and parents are invited to come in or call (445-2032) to schedule an appointment. Emergencies and scheduled appointments are priority before walk in visits.

21. How often will I see my counselor? MBHS counselors provide classroom guidance services. Freshmen are seen weekly and upper class students are visited monthly. Students are seen individually as needed or recommended.

22. Can I take Driver’s Ed in the 9^th grade? No. Due to limited instructors, Dr. Ed is reserved as an elective for students in grades 10, 11, 12. These students MUST have a SC permit by the first day of class.