Orangeburg County Schools & Education
Orangeburg County, South Carolina
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
20/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
79.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
79.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 84.2%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,724
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,165
School Score
20/100
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
#37
of 46 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Orangeburg County
School Verdict
Orangeburg County faces educational challenges with a school score of 20/100 and a graduation rate of 79.0%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $6,724 per pupil, Orangeburg County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Orangeburg County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 40% below the South Carolina average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 5.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 6% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Orangeburg County, South Carolina
A Large Network Serving Diverse Needs
Orangeburg County operates an extensive educational infrastructure with 30 public schools serving 11,296 students. The system is primary-focused, with 17 elementary schools complemented by four middle schools and nine high schools. While three districts exist, the vast majority of schools are consolidated under one main administration.
Working to Bridge Performance Gaps
The county reports a graduation rate of 79.0% and a composite school score of 47.1, indicating areas for potential academic growth. Per-pupil expenditure stands at $6,724, which is below both the state and national averages. The local community continues to focus on improving these outcomes through its large network of 30 campuses.
Consolidated District Power with Charter Options
The Orangeburg district is the dominant force in the county, managing 27 schools and nearly 11,000 students. The county also offers school choice through one charter school, representing 3.3% of the total school landscape. Two additional districts exist but currently report zero enrollment, reflecting recent consolidation efforts to streamline education.
A Blend of Rural and Town Campuses
With 20 rural schools and 10 in town settings, Orangeburg offers a diverse mix of locales for its 11,296 students. The average school size is 403 students, providing a middle-ground between intimate rural schools and large city campuses. Orangeburg Wilkinson High is the largest in the county, serving 1,073 students as the primary secondary hub.
Finding the Right Fit in Orangeburg
With 30 different schools to choose from, Orangeburg County offers families many options for where to settle. Whether you prefer a rural primary school or a large town high school, there is a campus to fit your lifestyle. Explore homes near Orangeburg Wilkinson or Lake Marion High to stay connected to the county's main educational hubs.
School Overview
Total Schools
30
in Orangeburg County
Total Enrollment
11,296
students
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
1
3% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
3 School Districts in Orangeburg County
Orangeburg
Orangeburg 80
Orangeburg 81
30 Public Schools in Orangeburg County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orangeburg Wilkinson High | Orangeburg | 9–12 | High | 1,073 |
| Lake Marion High School | Orangeburg | 9–12 | High | 692 |
| William J. Clark Middle | Orangeburg | 6–8 | Middle | 687 |
| Edisto High | Orangeburg | 9–12 | High | 677 |
| Marshall Elementary | Orangeburg | PK–5 | Primary | 651 |
| Edisto Primary | Orangeburg | PK–2 | Primary | 554 |
| Carver Edisto Middle | Orangeburg | 6–8 | Middle | 515 |
| Sheridan Elementary | Orangeburg | PK–5 | Primary | 486 |
| Edisto Elementary | Orangeburg | 3–5 | Primary | 444 |
| Holly Hill-Roberts Middle | Orangeburg | 6–8 | Middle | 418 |
| Whittaker Elementary | Orangeburg | PK–5 | Primary | 415 |
| Robert E. Howard Middle | Orangeburg | 6–8 | Middle | 396 |
| Elloree Elementary | Orangeburg | PK–8 | Primary | 387 |
| Bethune-Bowman Middle/High | Orangeburg | 6–12 | High | 374 |
| Holly Hill Elementary | Orangeburg | PK–5 | Primary | 326 |
| Felton Laboratory Charter School | SC Public Charter School District | KG–8 | Charter | 317 |
| Branchville High | Orangeburg | 6–12 | High | 316 |
| Bethune-Bowman Elementary | Orangeburg | PK–5 | Primary | 288 |
| North Middle/High | Orangeburg | 6–12 | High | 257 |
| Brookdale Elementary | Orangeburg | PK–5 | Primary | 244 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,724
State avg $7,165
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Orangeburg County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Orangeburg County?
How much does Orangeburg County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Orangeburg County, South Carolina — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Orangeburg County, South Carolina?
Orangeburg County operates an extensive educational infrastructure with 30 public schools serving 11,296 students. The system is primary-focused, with 17 elementary schools complemented by four middle schools and nine high schools. While three districts exist, the vast majority of schools are consolidated under one main administration.
How do schools in Orangeburg County perform academically?
The county reports a graduation rate of 79.0% and a composite school score of 47.1, indicating areas for potential academic growth. Per-pupil expenditure stands at $6,724, which is below both the state and national averages. The local community continues to focus on improving these outcomes through its large network of 30 campuses.
What are the major school districts in Orangeburg County, South Carolina?
The Orangeburg district is the dominant force in the county, managing 27 schools and nearly 11,000 students. The county also offers school choice through one charter school, representing 3.3% of the total school landscape. Two additional districts exist but currently report zero enrollment, reflecting recent consolidation efforts to streamline education.
What is the school experience like in Orangeburg County?
With 20 rural schools and 10 in town settings, Orangeburg offers a diverse mix of locales for its 11,296 students. The average school size is 403 students, providing a middle-ground between intimate rural schools and large city campuses. Orangeburg Wilkinson High is the largest in the county, serving 1,073 students as the primary secondary hub.
How can I find homes near good schools in Orangeburg County, South Carolina?
With 30 different schools to choose from, Orangeburg County offers families many options for where to settle. Whether you prefer a rural primary school or a large town high school, there is a campus to fit your lifestyle. Explore homes near Orangeburg Wilkinson or Lake Marion High to stay connected to the county's main educational hubs.
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.