Best Schools in Gaffney, South Carolina
11 schools · 8 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Gaffney?
Use this page to compare every school in Gaffney by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Cherokee Charter Academy
Elementary · Charter Institute at Erskine. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Corinth Elementary
Elementary · Cherokee 01. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Grassy Pond Elementary
Elementary · Cherokee 01. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Gaffney for 2026 are Cherokee Charter Academy (8.4/10), Corinth Elementary (6.5/10), and Grassy Pond Elementary (6.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 11 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
11
in this city
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$140,650
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
11
in this city
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$140,650
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 8.4/10 despite 99% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.3 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Gaffney schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Gaffney
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (11 of 11). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cherokee Charter Academy | 8.4 / 10 |
| 2 | Corinth Elementary | 6.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Grassy Pond Elementary | 6.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Gaffney High | 6.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Northwest Elementary | 6.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Gaffney Middle | 5.7 / 10 |
| 7 | Draytonville Elementary | 5.6 / 10 |
| 8 | Limestone-central Elementary | 4.6 / 10 |
| 9 | Luther L. Vaughan Elementary | 4.1 / 10 |
| 10 | John E. Ewing Middle | 4.0 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.5/10
- Median household income
- $48,995
- Median home value
- $140,650
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 19%
- Avg commute
- 24 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 73%
9% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Gaffney compares
South Carolina rank
#94 of 129
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.6
below South Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$49k
78% of South Carolina median
Schools in this city
11
About Schools in Gaffney, South Carolina
Gaffney, South Carolina is home to 11 schools, including 11 public schools. The city's schools span 8 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.5 out of 10, schools in Gaffney show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Gaffney is Cherokee Charter Academy with a composite score of 8.4/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Gaffney is served by 2 school districts: Cherokee 01, Charter Institute at Erskine. These districts collectively serve 32,858 students.
Gaffney's community shows 19% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $48,995. The poverty rate in the area is 19.9%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
8 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 516 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.4 |
| 2 | 305 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.5 |
| 3 | 504 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.4 |
| 4 | 425 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.1 |
| 5 | 265 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.6 |
| 6 | 475 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.6 |
| 7 | 397 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.1 |
| 8 | 617 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.2 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 852 students · 6th–8th | 5.7 |
| 2 | 405 students · 6th–8th | 4.0 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,878 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 |
Schools in Gaffney
Gaffney, South Carolina · 11 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$48,995
Median Home Value
$140,650
Median Rent
$815/mo
Population
40,958
College Educated
19%
Homeownership
73%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
19.9%
Community Profile
Gaffney has a median household income of $48,995. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $140,650, with a median rent of $815/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.9%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Carolina
- Elementary
- 8
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in South Carolina
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Gaffney, South Carolina
How many schools are in Gaffney, South Carolina?
Gaffney has 11 schools, including 11 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Gaffney, South Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Gaffney is 5.5 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Gaffney, South Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Gaffney on MySchoolScout is Cherokee Charter Academy with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best elementary school in Gaffney, South Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Gaffney on MySchoolScout is Cherokee Charter Academy with a composite score of 8.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Gaffney, South Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Gaffney on MySchoolScout is Gaffney Middle with a composite score of 5.7/10.
What is the best high school in Gaffney, South Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Gaffney on MySchoolScout is Gaffney High with a composite score of 6.2/10.
How many school districts serve Gaffney, South Carolina?
Gaffney is served by 2 school districts: Cherokee 01, Charter Institute at Erskine.
What is the education level in Gaffney, South Carolina?
According to Census data, 19% of adults in Gaffney have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Gaffney, South Carolina?
The median household income in Gaffney is approximately $48,995 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Gaffney, South Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Gaffney is 13.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Gaffney, South Carolina?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, South Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.