Marlboro County Schools & Education

Marlboro County, South Carolina

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

11/100

Higher = better

Rating

Below Average

Graduation Rate

78.0%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

78.0%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 84.2%

Per-Pupil Spending

$6,011

National avg $13,239

State avg $7,165

School Score

11/100

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

#46

of 46 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Marlboro County

School Verdict

Marlboro County faces educational challenges with a school score of 11/100 and a graduation rate of 78.0%, falling below typical benchmarks.

Funding Context

At $6,011 per pupil, Marlboro County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Marlboro County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 66% below the South Carolina average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 6.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 16% lower than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Marlboro County, South Carolina

A Compact District Serving 3,500 Students

Marlboro County manages a compact network of seven public schools, including five elementary, one middle, and one high school. A single school district oversees the entire enrollment of 3,549 students. This high concentration of elementary schools highlights a strong focus on early childhood and primary education.

Navigating Challenges in Academic Results

Marlboro County faces some performance hurdles, with a graduation rate of 78.0% and a composite school score of 45.1. Per-pupil expenditure is currently $6,011, which falls below the state average of $7,165 and the national benchmark of $13,000. These metrics indicate a system working to improve outcomes while operating on a leaner budget than many neighbors.

The Marlboro 01 District Focus

Marlboro 01 is the county's only school district, providing a unified path for all 3,549 local students. There are no charter schools within the county, meaning all public education is delivered through traditional district-run campuses. The district's flagship is Marlboro County High, which serves over 1,000 students.

Personalized Learning in a Rural Mix

Schools are set in a mix of rural and town locales, with an average school size of 507 students. Marlboro County High is the largest campus by far with 1,047 students, while Wallace Elementary/Middle offers a more intimate setting for 432 pupils. This layout ensures students transition from smaller primary schools into a larger, centralized high school environment.

Settle Near Dedicated Local Schools

Families looking for a close-knit community will find Marlboro County's unified district approachable and easy to navigate. School quality is a vital factor in any real estate decision, and living near the primary schools in Bennettsville or McColl offers convenient access for young families. Use local school data to help guide your next home purchase in the region.

School Overview

Total Schools

7

in Marlboro County

Total Enrollment

3,549

students

School Districts

1

district

Charter Schools

0

0% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary5
Middle1
High1
Other0

1 School District in Marlboro County

Marlboro 01

7 schools
3,549 students enrolled

7 Public Schools in Marlboro County

Marlboro County High

Marlboro 01

9–12High1,047 students
McColl Elementary/Middle

Marlboro 01

PK–8Primary643 students
Bennettsville Primary

Marlboro 01

PK–3Primary552 students
Blenheim Middle School of Discovery

Marlboro 01

6–8Middle444 students
Wallace Elementary/Middle

Marlboro 01

PK–8Primary432 students
Bennettsville Intermediate

Marlboro 01

4–5Primary225 students
Clio Elementary

Marlboro 01

PK–5Primary206 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$6,011

State avg $7,165

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Marlboro County rate?
Marlboro County has a school score of 11/100, 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 Marlboro County?
The high school graduation rate in Marlboro County is 78.0%, 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 Marlboro County spend per student?
Marlboro County spends $6,011 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 Marlboro County, South Carolina — FAQ

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

Marlboro County manages a compact network of seven public schools, including five elementary, one middle, and one high school. A single school district oversees the entire enrollment of 3,549 students. This high concentration of elementary schools highlights a strong focus on early childhood and primary education.

How do schools in Marlboro County perform academically?

Marlboro County faces some performance hurdles, with a graduation rate of 78.0% and a composite school score of 45.1. Per-pupil expenditure is currently $6,011, which falls below the state average of $7,165 and the national benchmark of $13,000. These metrics indicate a system working to improve outcomes while operating on a leaner budget than many neighbors.

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

Marlboro 01 is the county's only school district, providing a unified path for all 3,549 local students. There are no charter schools within the county, meaning all public education is delivered through traditional district-run campuses. The district's flagship is Marlboro County High, which serves over 1,000 students.

What is the school experience like in Marlboro County?

Schools are set in a mix of rural and town locales, with an average school size of 507 students. Marlboro County High is the largest campus by far with 1,047 students, while Wallace Elementary/Middle offers a more intimate setting for 432 pupils. This layout ensures students transition from smaller primary schools into a larger, centralized high school environment.

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

Families looking for a close-knit community will find Marlboro County's unified district approachable and easy to navigate. School quality is a vital factor in any real estate decision, and living near the primary schools in Bennettsville or McColl offers convenient access for young families. Use local school data to help guide your next home purchase in the region.

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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.