Barnwell County Schools & Education

Barnwell County, South Carolina

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

30/100

Higher = better

Rating

Below Average

Graduation Rate

82.4%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

82.4%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 84.2%

Per-Pupil Spending

$7,189

National avg $13,239

State avg $7,165

School Score

30/100

Higher = better

State avg 33/100

Student-Teacher Ratio

N/A

National avg 15.8 : 1

Free Lunch (Median)

N/A

National median 48.2%

State School Rank

#30

of 46 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Barnwell County

School Verdict

Barnwell County faces educational challenges with a school score of 30/100 and a graduation rate of 82.4%, falling below typical benchmarks.

Funding Context

At $7,189 per pupil, Barnwell County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Barnwell County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 10% below the South Carolina average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 1.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 0% higher than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Barnwell County, South Carolina

Centralized Town Schooling

Barnwell County serves 1,974 students through a compact network of five public schools. The system is comprised of one elementary, two middle, and two high schools split across two districts.

Steady Investment in Local Schools

The county spends $7,189 per pupil, aligning closely with the South Carolina state average. However, the graduation rate currently sits at 82.4%, which is lower than both the state and national benchmarks.

Barnwell 45 Dominates the Area

Barnwell 45 is the primary provider of education, serving all 1,974 students across four active campuses. There are no charter schools in the county, making Barnwell 45 the central hub for all local families.

Town-Based Education Hubs

Four out of the five schools are located in town settings, resulting in a moderate average school size of 494 students. Barnwell Primary is the largest school with 661 students, providing a centralized start for young learners.

Find Your Neighborhood in Barnwell

Barnwell offers a traditional town-based school experience where most campuses are centrally located. Families can find affordable homes within walking or short-driving distance of the Barnwell 45 campus cluster.

School Overview

Total Schools

5

in Barnwell County

Total Enrollment

1,974

students

School Districts

2

districts

Charter Schools

0

0% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary1
Middle2
High2
Other0

2 School Districts in Barnwell County

Barnwell 45

4 schools
1,974 students

Barnwell 80

1 school
0 students

5 Public Schools in Barnwell County

Barnwell Primary

Barnwell 45

PK–3Primary661 students
Barnwell High

Barnwell 45

9–12High564 students
Barnwell Elementary

Barnwell 45

4–6Middle451 students
Guinyard-Butler Middle

Barnwell 45

7–8Middle298 students
Barnwell County Career Center

Barnwell 80

9–12Vocational0 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$7,189

State avg $7,165

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Barnwell County rate?
Barnwell County has a school score of 30/100, which is considered below average. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Barnwell County?
The high school graduation rate in Barnwell County is 82.4%, which is below the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Barnwell County spend per student?
Barnwell County spends $7,189 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Barnwell County, South Carolina — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Barnwell County, South Carolina?

Barnwell County serves 1,974 students through a compact network of five public schools. The system is comprised of one elementary, two middle, and two high schools split across two districts.

How do schools in Barnwell County perform academically?

The county spends $7,189 per pupil, aligning closely with the South Carolina state average. However, the graduation rate currently sits at 82.4%, which is lower than both the state and national benchmarks.

What are the major school districts in Barnwell County, South Carolina?

Barnwell 45 is the primary provider of education, serving all 1,974 students across four active campuses. There are no charter schools in the county, making Barnwell 45 the central hub for all local families.

What is the school experience like in Barnwell County?

Four out of the five schools are located in town settings, resulting in a moderate average school size of 494 students. Barnwell Primary is the largest school with 661 students, providing a centralized start for young learners.

How can I find homes near good schools in Barnwell County, South Carolina?

Barnwell offers a traditional town-based school experience where most campuses are centrally located. Families can find affordable homes within walking or short-driving distance of the Barnwell 45 campus cluster.

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By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.