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Average

#470 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 40% in state

Barnwell High

High School · Barnwell 45

474 Jackson Street, Barnwell, SC 29812

Enrollment

562

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

6.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Barnwell

#1 of 4

public schools

South Carolina high schools

#127 of 216

In district

#1 of 4

Barnwell 45

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Barnwell High

Barnwell High serves 562 students in grades 9-12 in rural Barnwell, South Carolina, establishing itself as a notable academic performer in the state. With a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1 and 39 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention that contributes to strong educational outcomes. The school's academic achievements are impressive, earning a 7.1/10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #213 out of 1,192 South Carolina high schools, placing it in the 82nd percentile statewide.

Students demonstrate particularly strong performance in English Language Arts, with 77% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics shows room for growth at 52% proficiency, though this still reflects solid student development in a challenging subject area. Located on Jackson Street in Barnwell County, the school serves a community where the median household income is $42,038 and 18% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

Despite economic challenges in the area, with a 29% poverty rate, Barnwell High continues to deliver quality education that helps students succeed academically. The school's rural setting in Barnwell County provides students with a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining strong academic standards that prepare graduates for their next educational and career steps.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Barnwell High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+6.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.1Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected+28.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
College Readiness2.0Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation1.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,593

Barnwell High — Students at Barnwell High score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 43.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 62.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
77%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.8/10.

How Barnwell High Compares

See how Barnwell High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
60th percentile in SC
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
7.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

Location

474 Jackson Street, Barnwell, SC 29812

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Barnwell High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Hunter-Kinard-Tyler High (rated 6.8/10, 19.7 miles away, in nearby Neeses), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Allendale Fairfax High (rated 5.1/10, 17.1 miles away, in nearby Fairfax), a more accessible option. For more schools in Barnwell, see our Barnwell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Barnwell Primary Barnwell 0.8 mi 4.8
Guinyard-Butler Middle Barnwell 1.3 mi 4.7
Barnwell Elementary Barnwell 1.8 mi 5.5
BARNWELL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Blackville 5.7 mi 5.5
Blackville-Hilda High Blackville 10.9 mi
Macedonia Elementary-Middle Blackville 11.0 mi 8.0
WINFIELD HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN KINDERGARTEN Williston 11.4 mi
Williston-Elko High Williston 11.9 mi
Williston-Elko Middle Williston 12.0 mi 8.2
Kelly Edwards Elementary Williston 12.1 mi 8.1
CALVARY FELLOWSHIP MENNONITE Blackville 12.5 mi
Allendale Fairfax High Fairfax 17.1 mi 5.1
Allendale-Fairfax Middle Fairfax 17.1 mi 6.5
Denmark Olar High Denmark 15.3 mi
Denmark-Olar Middle Denmark 15.3 mi 3.9
Denmark-Olar Elementary Denmark 15.3 mi 8.1
Allendale-Fairfax Elementary Fairfax 17.7 mi 7.3
Allendale High Fairfax 18.7 mi
Hunter-Kinard-Tyler High Neeses 19.7 mi 6.8
Hunter-Kinard-Tyler Elementary Neeses 19.7 mi 3.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29812 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$44,494

Median Home Value

$105,100

Median Rent

$656/mo

Population

10,965

College Educated

16%

Homeownership

74.4%

Avg Commute

26.3 min

Poverty Rate

31%

Median Age

40.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Barnwell High has a median household income of $44,494. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $105,100, with a median rent of $656/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
McBee High Mcbee, SC 6.8
Mid-Carolina High Prosperity, SC 6.8
Dixie High Due West, SC 6.6
W.J. Keenan High Columbia, SC 6.6
Clinton High Clinton, SC 6.9
TRINITY COLLEGIATE SCHOOL Darlington, SC 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Barnwell High

What grades does Barnwell High serve?

Barnwell High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Barnwell High?

Barnwell High has an enrollment of approximately 562 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Barnwell High?

The student-teacher ratio at Barnwell High is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Barnwell High rank in SC?

Barnwell High is ranked #470 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Barnwell High's MySchoolScout rating?

Barnwell High has a composite rating of 6.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Barnwell High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Barnwell High has 43.7% math proficiency and 62.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Barnwell High a charter school?

No, Barnwell High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Barnwell High a Title I school?

No, Barnwell High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Barnwell High?

100.0% of students at Barnwell High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,589/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Barnwell). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
562
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Barnwell County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Barnwell 45
District Enrollment
1,952
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,345
District Rank
#1 of 4

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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