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To alleviate overcrowding at Socastee High School, the Horry County Board of Education approved plans for the construction of a new high school on the south end of South Carolina Highway 707 in the fall of 2001. Building began that November. As designs and construction advanced, there was some dispute in the community as to what to call the new high school. Initial plans included the name South Strand High School. Eventually, the name St. James was selected to better reflect the history of the Burgess community and this end of Horry County.
Future site of St. James High School (1994)
St. James High School (May 2024)
St. James officially welcomed its first group of students - about 700 9th- 11th graders - in August 2003. According to the first edition of the school's yearbook, originally called The Predator, the first day of school in the new building wasn't exactly smooth sailing. There were unexpectedly long lines in guidance as students waited to register or get their schedules changed. The lunchroom ran out of food, and an extra lunch shift had to be added.
St. James was designed to be the first comprehensive high school in Horry County, meaning that it would provide both traditional academic pathways as well as full Career and Technology educational options. This included an entire wing of the building dedicated to CTE work spaces. Faculty and staff who were in the building during the first half-decade might still refer to the hallway leading to the student parking lot as the "Cosmetology Hall."
The late Mr. Ronnie Burgess served as the first principal of St. James High School. A graduate of Sumter High School and Wake Forest University, he played as a defensive back for the Green Bay Packers. Before coming to the school, he was previously an administrator and coach at Myrtle Beach High School, and he would go on to work at AAST and Carolina Forest. He is remembered for his school spirit, love of students, and the tailgates he held for faculty, staff, and their families before home football games.
St. James High School Principals
St. James High School Principals
Ronnie Burgess ('03-'06)
Joe Dowling ('06-'10)
Vann Pennell ('10-'22)
Ryan Poston ('22-Present)
Main hallway outside of Guidance (2003)
Main hallway outside of Guidance (2024)
The student commons area known as The Shark was inlaid into the Terazzo floor prior to the school's opening. During the first few years, it was a customary for students to avoid stepping on the mascot. As the school's student population grew and years passed, that tradition faded.
At the time it opened, St. James' technology infrastructure was cutting-edge! The building had four dedicated computer labs. A central control system housed in the Media Center allowed teachers to schedule and play VHS tapes and DVDs on wall-mounted televisions in their classrooms. Teachers could also checkout a portable cart that included 30 laptops, although WiFi was not broadly available in the building until 2009. Since those early years, technology upgrades have allowed for greater access. The Personalized Digital Learning (PDL) initiative launched in 2013, placing a device in the hands of every student. Between 2022 and 2023, large touchscreen panels were installed in every classroom, replacing digital projectors.
The Shark mural in the school's gymnasium was created by St. James High School's 2005 Teacher of Year, art teacher, Mrs. Carol Townsend.
Mrs. Townsend passed away in 2006, but her legacy continues to impact art education at St. James.
Over the years, there have been several beautification projects around the St. James campus.
One of the most notable is the 360-degree mural in the school's Five Points area. This artwork was completed in the summer leading up to the 2012-2013 school year. Christian Rabon, the local artist who created it, had never worked on scaffolding before this project!
One of the most notable is the 360-degree mural in the school's Five Points area. This artwork was completed in the summer leading up to the 2012-2013 school year. Christian Rabon, the local artist who created it, had never worked on scaffolding before this project!
The courtyard between the school's cafeteria and media center remains a popular spot for students to gather during their lunch periods. In 2005, the school's cafeteria was expanded outward to provide more interior seating space. Notice the exterior columns on the left (2003) are now part of the exterior wall (August 2025).
The school's course offerings have changed tremendously. During the 2004-2005 school year, for example, St. James offered just five Advanced Placement classes. Twenty years later, that number has climbed to 23!
The St. James High School Program of Studies has also evolved from a newspaper brochure, to an interactive PDF file, to an easy-to-edit website.
The St. James High School Program of Studies has also evolved from a newspaper brochure, to an interactive PDF file, to an easy-to-edit website.
The St. James High School Alma Mater
To thee St. James, O Alma Mater
Hear our song proclaim!
We pledge our loyalty forever
Sing a proud refrain!
And guide us with compassion
Let knowledge be our flame!
Our love will burn
With passion bright
We honor thee St. James!
At the request of John Washburn, the first director of the Pride of St. James Marching Band, the school's alma mater and fight song were composed by Major Herbert Day, USMC (Ret.) in 2003. Major Day was a long time music director at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, and a recipient of The Order of the Palmetto, the state's highest civilian honor.
For several years, class colors were a staple of school spirit at St. James. Each grade had a traditional color, and students would wear these on pep rally days. Freshmen were WHITE, sophomores were COLUMBIA BLUE, juniors were ROYAL BLUE, and seniors were BLACK. Another pep rally tradition included a special entrance and recognition for 12th graders.
In the fall of 2022, the school's football (also soccer and lacrosse) field was upgraded to an artificial surface
In March 2016, St. James High School was awarded the prestigious Palmetto's Finest award from the SC Association of School Administrators. This annual award recognizes schools for outstanding academic achievement, innovative leadership, and strong relationships with the community they serve. This accomplishment marked the culmination of nearly two years of hard work by the school's students, faculty, staff, administration, and parents.
The school's sign used to feature a seafoam outline that is not one of the official school colors
The sign was recolored and updated with a dynamic digital screen in 2015
Every year, the faculty and staff of SJHS select one of their colleagues to represent them as Teacher of the Year. In just over two decades, St. James has had more faculty members - NINE - named as semi-finalists or finalists for district Teacher of the Year than any other school in Horry County!
In 2022, SJHS teacher Jacob Scheuer was selected as the district's Teacher of the Year.
Our school also has a legacy of athletic excellence. Shark athletes have won team and individual state championships in track and field, baseball, softball, girls golf, wrestling, and swimming.
Dozens of our performing arts students have been recognized with all-state honors in chorus, band, orchestra, and drama.
Dozens of our performing arts students have been recognized with all-state honors in chorus, band, orchestra, and drama.
The tradition of the graduating senior class decorating one of the school's stairwells started as a beautification project in 2015. Many of these dedications include original artwork by Shark students and faculty.
Since that time, every group of 12th graders has had an opportunity to leave their mark on SJHS. "Once a Shark, ALWAYS a Shark!"
Since that time, every group of 12th graders has had an opportunity to leave their mark on SJHS. "Once a Shark, ALWAYS a Shark!"
Since the school's first graduation in 2005, St. James High School has awarded more than 7400 diplomas
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