Excellent
#87 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 7% in state
Buford High
High School · Lancaster 01
4290 Tabernacle Road, Lancaster, SC 29720
Enrollment
554
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
8.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
554
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
8.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#87 of 1,176
In Lancaster
#2 of 14
public schools
In district
#3 of 22
Lancaster 01
Academic performance
9.6 / 10
Excellent
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Buford High
High School in Lancaster · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Buford Elementary
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Buford Middle
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Buford High
Buford High is a public high school in Lancaster, SC, part of Lancaster 01. Buford High serves approximately 554 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Buford High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #87 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for Buford High show 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
What's said publicly about Buford High
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
- This school 8.3 · Excellent
- District avg 7.1
- SC avg 7.3
What Parents Should Know
Buford High sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
34% of students at Buford High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Buford High — Students at Buford High score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 test records from SC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.2/10.
How Buford High Compares
See how Buford High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
4290 Tabernacle Road, Lancaster, SC 29720
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Buford High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Andrew Jackson High (rated 7.4/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Kershaw), with a comparable rating. Another option is Parkwood High (rated 7.0/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Monroe), a more accessible option. Additionally, Lancaster High (rated 5.4/10, 9.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lancaster, see our Lancaster schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Buford Elementary Lancaster | 0.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Buford Middle Lancaster | 0.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Prospect Elementary Monroe | 7.1 mi | 6.7 |
| A. R. Rucker Middle Lancaster | 7.1 mi | 2.6 |
| CAROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lancaster | 8.2 mi | 5.9 |
| TENDERHEARTS Lancaster | 8.6 mi | — |
| Parkwood Middle Monroe | 9.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Parkwood High Monroe | 10.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Clinton Elementary Lancaster | 8.4 mi | 2.6 |
| Discovery Charter of Lancaster Lancaster | 9.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Lancaster High Lancaster | 9.1 mi | 5.4 |
| North Elementary Lancaster | 9.1 mi | 6.0 |
| South Middle Lancaster | 9.7 mi | 2.8 |
| Heath Springs Elementary Heath Springs | 11.3 mi | 4.4 |
| Brooklyn Springs Elementary Lancaster | 9.8 mi | 2.9 |
| McDonald Green Elementary Lancaster | 10.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Western Union Elementary Waxhaw | 12.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Andrew Jackson High Kershaw | 12.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Andrew Jackson Middle Kershaw | 12.8 mi | 3.8 |
| Erwin Elementary Lancaster | 11.1 mi | 3.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29720 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,039
Median Home Value
$212,800
Median Rent
$845/mo
Population
51,603
College Educated
22.2%
Homeownership
77.7%
Avg Commute
30 min
Poverty Rate
17.4%
Median Age
41.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Academic Magnet High North Charleston, SC | 8.3 |
| Edisto High Cordova, SC | 8.3 |
| CARDINAL NEWMAN SCHOOL Columbia, SC | 8.4 |
| Woodland High Dorchester, SC | 8.4 |
| Lewisville High Richburg, SC | 8.2 |
| Hannah Pamplico High Pamplico, SC | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Buford High
What grades does Buford High serve?
Buford High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Buford High?
Buford High has an enrollment of approximately 554 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Buford High?
The student-teacher ratio at Buford High is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Buford High rank in SC?
Buford High ranks #87 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Buford High's MySchoolScout rating?
Buford High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Buford High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Buford High has 59% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Buford High a charter school?
No, Buford High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Buford High a Title I school?
No, Buford High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buford High?
55.8% of students at Buford 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 554
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Lancaster County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.8%
- Phone
- (803) 286-7068
- 4-Year Graduation
- 87.0%
Resources & Links
District
Lancaster 01- District Enrollment
- 15,298
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,216
- District Rank
- #3 of 22
Other Schools in This District
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