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Average

#841 of 1,176 schools in SC

Bethune-bowman Middle/high

High School · Orangeburg

4857 Charleston Highway, Rowesville, SC 29133

Enrollment

367

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

5.4

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Rowesville

#1 of 2

public schools

South Carolina high schools

#199 of 216

In district

#16 of 26

Orangeburg

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Bethune-bowman Middle/high

Bethune-Bowman Middle/High in Rowesville, South Carolina, is a regular public school that serves students from sixth grade through twelfth grade. The school has an enrollment of 367 students and employs 24 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1. Bethune-Bowman Middle/High is located in a rural area, providing a close-knit community setting for its students.

The academic performance at the school currently ranks lower compared to other South Carolina schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.1 out of 10. In terms of proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, 28% of students are proficient or above, while only 16% meet the state standards for math proficiency. Despite these challenges, Bethune-Bowman Middle/High is a community-focused school where teachers can give individual attention to each student due to its favorable student-teacher ratio.

The setting in Rowesville offers a supportive rural environment that fosters strong relationships between students and educators.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Bethune-bowman Middle/high are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Bethune-bowman Middle/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 Progress9.3Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+3 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendImproving
Academics3.4Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18%
Reading/ELA Proficiency28%
Overall Proficiency23%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-12.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College Readiness3.1Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation3.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.6Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,232

Bethune-bowman Middle/high — Students at Bethune-bowman Middle/high score 23% proficient, which is below 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 16.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 28.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 3 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2021*
Math
15%
2022
Math
18%
ELA
28%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Bethune-bowman Middle/high Compares

See how Bethune-bowman Middle/high performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
29th percentile in SC
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

Location

4857 Charleston Highway, Rowesville, SC 29133

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bethune-bowman Middle/high may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Edisto High (rated 8.6/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Cordova), which scores notably higher. Another option is Branchville High (rated 7.7/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Branchville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Orangeburg Wilkinson High (rated 5.9/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Orangeburg), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Rowesville, see our Rowesville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Bethune-Bowman Elementary Rowesville 0.0 mi 2.7
ORANGEBURG CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Orangeburg 7.6 mi 4.4
Whittaker Elementary Orangeburg 8.1 mi 5.2
Brookdale Elementary Orangeburg 8.6 mi 7.7
Mellichamp Elementary Orangeburg 8.1 mi 3.2
Robert E. Howard Middle Orangeburg 8.7 mi 2.5
Felton Laboratory Charter School Orangeburg 8.9 mi 7.2
Orangeburg Wilkinson High Orangeburg 9.8 mi 5.9
OCSD High School for Health Professions Orangeburg 10.2 mi
William J. Clark Middle Orangeburg 10.0 mi 5.6
ST ANDREWS METHODIST KINDERGARTEN Orangeburg 10.4 mi
Marshall Elementary Orangeburg 10.5 mi 2.1
Lockett Elementary Branchville 11.4 mi 8.7
Branchville High Branchville 11.4 mi 7.7
FIRST SOUTHERN METHODIST CHR & WESLEY CHRISTIAN SC Orangeburg 10.5 mi 7.4
Sheridan Elementary Orangeburg 10.8 mi 7.1
Edisto Primary Cordova 10.2 mi 5.9
ORANGEBURG PREPARATORY SCHOOL Orangeburg 11.7 mi 5.3
Edisto High Cordova 11.7 mi 8.6
Carver Edisto Middle Cope 12.5 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29133 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$43,281

Median Home Value

$128,600

Median Rent

$732/mo

Population

1,198

College Educated

8.4%

Homeownership

73.2%

Poverty Rate

14.8%

Median Age

37.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bethune-bowman Middle/high has a median household income of $43,281. It is a community where 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $128,600, with a median rent of $732/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.8%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Lowcountry Acceleration Academy N. Charleston, SC 5.4
Ninety Six High Ninety Six, SC 5.5
C. A. Johnson High Columbia, SC 5.2
Allendale Fairfax High Fairfax, SC 5.1
J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts and Science Magnet Lake City, SC 5.8
Baptist Hill High Hollywood, SC 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bethune-bowman Middle/high

What grades does Bethune-bowman Middle/high serve?

Bethune-bowman Middle/high serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Bethune-bowman Middle/high?

Bethune-bowman Middle/high has an enrollment of approximately 367 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bethune-bowman Middle/high?

The student-teacher ratio at Bethune-bowman Middle/high is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bethune-bowman Middle/high rank in SC?

Bethune-bowman Middle/high is ranked #841 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Bethune-bowman Middle/high's MySchoolScout rating?

Bethune-bowman Middle/high has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Bethune-bowman Middle/high?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bethune-bowman Middle/high has 16.5% math proficiency and 28.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bethune-bowman Middle/high a charter school?

No, Bethune-bowman Middle/high is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bethune-bowman Middle/high a Title I school?

No, Bethune-bowman Middle/high is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bethune-bowman Middle/high?

100.0% of students at Bethune-bowman Middle/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

County Safety
High (3,220/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
367
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Orangeburg County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Orangeburg
District Enrollment
10,620
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,571
District Rank
#16 of 26

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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