Cherokee County Schools & Education
Cherokee County, South Carolina
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
33/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
82.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
82.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 84.2%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,483
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,165
School Score
33/100
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
#23
of 46 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Cherokee County
School Verdict
Cherokee County faces educational challenges with a school score of 33/100 and a graduation rate of 82.0%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $7,483 per pupil, Cherokee County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Cherokee County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 0% below the South Carolina average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 2.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 4% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Cherokee County, South Carolina
Cherokee's Educational Framework
Cherokee County features 16 total public schools, including 10 elementary and three high schools, serving 8,405 students. One unified district manages the majority of these campuses.
Investing Above State Spending Averages
The county spends $7,483 per pupil, which is higher than the state average of $7,165. However, the graduation rate of 82.0% currently trails both the state and national averages.
Cherokee 01 and Local Options
Cherokee 01 is the primary district, managing 15 schools and 7,925 students. The county also offers school choice through one charter school, which makes up about 6% of the local educational landscape.
Town and Country School Spirit
The county's schools are divided between rural areas and town settings, with an average school size of 560 students. Gaffney High is the largest campus by far, enrolling 1,838 students.
Community-Centered Living in Cherokee
Families can find homes near high-capacity schools like Gaffney High or in more secluded rural areas. The county's above-average per-pupil spending demonstrates a commitment to local education.
School Overview
Total Schools
16
in Cherokee County
Total Enrollment
8,405
students
School Districts
1
district
Charter Schools
1
6% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
1 School District in Cherokee County
Cherokee 01
16 Public Schools in Cherokee County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gaffney High | Cherokee 01 | 9–12 | High | 1,838 |
| Gaffney Middle | Cherokee 01 | 6–8 | Middle | 921 |
| B. D. Lee Elementary | Cherokee 01 | PK–5 | Primary | 607 |
| Blacksburg High | Cherokee 01 | 9–12 | High | 553 |
| Grassy Pond Elementary | Cherokee 01 | PK–5 | Primary | 503 |
| Limestone-Central Elementary | Cherokee 01 | PK–5 | Primary | 490 |
| John E. Ewing Middle | Cherokee 01 | 6–8 | Middle | 486 |
| Cherokee Charter School | Charter Institute at Erskine | PK–7 | Charter | 480 |
| Luther L. Vaughan Elementary | Cherokee 01 | PK–5 | Primary | 419 |
| Northwest Elementary | Cherokee 01 | PK–5 | Primary | 419 |
| Blacksburg Primary | Cherokee 01 | PK–2 | Primary | 394 |
| Blacksburg Elementary | Cherokee 01 | 3–5 | Primary | 362 |
| Blacksburg Middle | Cherokee 01 | 6–8 | Middle | 360 |
| Corinth Elementary | Cherokee 01 | PK–5 | Primary | 334 |
| Draytonville Elementary | Cherokee 01 | PK–5 | Primary | 239 |
| Institute of Innovation | Cherokee 01 | 9–12 | Vocational | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,483
State avg $7,165
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Cherokee County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Cherokee County?
How much does Cherokee County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Cherokee County, South Carolina — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Cherokee County, South Carolina?
Cherokee County features 16 total public schools, including 10 elementary and three high schools, serving 8,405 students. One unified district manages the majority of these campuses.
How do schools in Cherokee County perform academically?
The county spends $7,483 per pupil, which is higher than the state average of $7,165. However, the graduation rate of 82.0% currently trails both the state and national averages.
What are the major school districts in Cherokee County, South Carolina?
Cherokee 01 is the primary district, managing 15 schools and 7,925 students. The county also offers school choice through one charter school, which makes up about 6% of the local educational landscape.
What is the school experience like in Cherokee County?
The county's schools are divided between rural areas and town settings, with an average school size of 560 students. Gaffney High is the largest campus by far, enrolling 1,838 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Cherokee County, South Carolina?
Families can find homes near high-capacity schools like Gaffney High or in more secluded rural areas. The county's above-average per-pupil spending demonstrates a commitment to local education.
Counties with Similar School Profile
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.