Laurens County Schools & Education
Laurens County, South Carolina
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
32/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
78.4%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
78.4%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 84.2%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,672
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,165
School Score
32/100
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
#25
of 46 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Laurens County
School Verdict
Laurens County faces educational challenges with a school score of 32/100 and a graduation rate of 78.4%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $7,672 per pupil, Laurens County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Laurens County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 3% below the South Carolina average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 5.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 7% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Laurens County, South Carolina
Dual-District Schooling in Laurens
Laurens County features 18 public schools that serve a total of 8,840 students. The system is split across two districts, providing a mix of 11 elementary schools and specialized secondary campuses.
High Investment Amidst Academic Goals
The county spends $7,672 per pupil, which is notably higher than the state average of $7,165. However, the graduation rate of 78.4% trails the state average, indicating an area where the county is focusing on future improvements.
A Tale of Two Districts
Laurens 55 is the larger of the two districts with 5,344 students, followed by Laurens 56 with 2,715 students. The county also supports two charter schools, making up about 11% of the total educational facilities available.
A Mix of Rural and Town Life
Education here is evenly split between rural and town settings, with schools like Laurens District 55 High serving 1,554 students. The average school size is a manageable 491 students, offering a blend of larger high schools and smaller elementary campuses.
Find Your Community in Laurens
With a variety of town and rural school settings, Laurens County offers options for every lifestyle. Consider homes in the Laurens or Clinton areas to take advantage of the specific programming offered by each of the county's two distinct districts.
School Overview
Total Schools
18
in Laurens County
Total Enrollment
8,840
students
School Districts
2
districts
Charter Schools
2
11% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
2 School Districts in Laurens County
Laurens 55
Laurens 56
18 Public Schools in Laurens County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurens District 55 High | Laurens 55 | 9–12 | High | 1,554 |
| Clinton High | Laurens 56 | 9–12 | High | 781 |
| Gray Court-Owings Elementary/Middle | Laurens 55 | PK–8 | Primary | 763 |
| Clinton Middle | Laurens 56 | 6–8 | Middle | 663 |
| Hickory Tavern Elementary/Middle | Laurens 55 | PK–8 | Primary | 649 |
| Laurens Elementary | Laurens 55 | PK–5 | Primary | 504 |
| Eastside Elementary | Laurens 56 | KG–5 | Primary | 466 |
| E. B. Morse Elementary | Laurens 55 | PK–5 | Primary | 457 |
| Ford Elementary | Laurens 55 | PK–5 | Primary | 416 |
| Laurens Middle | Laurens 55 | 6–8 | Middle | 399 |
| Clinton Elementary | Laurens 56 | KG–5 | Primary | 383 |
| Ware Shoals Primary | Greenwood 51 | PK–4 | Primary | 370 |
| Sanders Middle | Laurens 55 | 6–8 | Middle | 331 |
| Thornwell Charter School | Charter Institute at Erskine | KG–10 | Charter | 299 |
| Joanna Woodson Elementary | Laurens 56 | KG–5 | Primary | 288 |
| Waterloo Elementary | Laurens 55 | PK–5 | Primary | 271 |
| M. S. Bailey Child Development Center | Laurens 56 | PK | Other | 134 |
| Summit Classical School | Charter Institute at Erskine | KG–6 | Charter | 112 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,672
State avg $7,165
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Laurens County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Laurens County?
How much does Laurens County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Laurens County, South Carolina — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Laurens County, South Carolina?
Laurens County features 18 public schools that serve a total of 8,840 students. The system is split across two districts, providing a mix of 11 elementary schools and specialized secondary campuses.
How do schools in Laurens County perform academically?
The county spends $7,672 per pupil, which is notably higher than the state average of $7,165. However, the graduation rate of 78.4% trails the state average, indicating an area where the county is focusing on future improvements.
What are the major school districts in Laurens County, South Carolina?
Laurens 55 is the larger of the two districts with 5,344 students, followed by Laurens 56 with 2,715 students. The county also supports two charter schools, making up about 11% of the total educational facilities available.
What is the school experience like in Laurens County?
Education here is evenly split between rural and town settings, with schools like Laurens District 55 High serving 1,554 students. The average school size is a manageable 491 students, offering a blend of larger high schools and smaller elementary campuses.
How can I find homes near good schools in Laurens County, South Carolina?
With a variety of town and rural school settings, Laurens County offers options for every lifestyle. Consider homes in the Laurens or Clinton areas to take advantage of the specific programming offered by each of the county's two distinct districts.
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.