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Very Good

#255 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 22% in state

Fairfield Central High

High School · Fairfield 01

836 US Highway 321 Bypass South, Winnsboro, SC 29180

Enrollment

629

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

7.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Winnsboro

#2 of 6

public schools

South Carolina high schools

#81 of 216

In district

#2 of 7

Fairfield 01

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Fairfield Central High

Fairfield Central High serves 629 students in grades 9-12 in Winnsboro, South Carolina, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing high schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranking 77th out of 1,192 South Carolina schools, the school places in the 94th percentile statewide for academic achievement. The school maintains a favorable 11.2-to-1 student-teacher ratio with 56 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom.

Academic performance shows particular strength in English Language Arts, where 72% of students score proficient or above, while mathematics achievement stands at 52% proficient or above across grade levels. Fairfield Central High operates in a community where the median household income is $36,654 and the median home value is $111,500. About 14% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the school serves a region with a 25.5% poverty rate, making its strong academic performance particularly noteworthy given the socioeconomic challenges many students face.

The school sits along US Highway 321 Bypass South in a rural area near Winnsboro, providing students with a close-knit educational environment while remaining accessible to the broader Fairfield County community of approximately 12,000 residents.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Fairfield Central 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 Progress9.4Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.26 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.9Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Overall Proficiency62%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected+26.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
College Readiness3.0Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation3.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,286

Fairfield Central High — Students at Fairfield Central High score 62% 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 45.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 68.7%
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
47%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
77%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
72%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How Fairfield Central High Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
78th percentile in SC
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
56 teachers

Location

836 US Highway 321 Bypass South, Winnsboro, SC 29180

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fairfield Central High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Blythewood High (rated 8.1/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Blythewood), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Dutch Fork High (rated 8.1/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Irmo), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Westwood High (rated 6.5/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Blythewood), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Winnsboro, see our Winnsboro schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Fairfield Middle Winnsboro 0.2 mi 7.3
Midlands STEM Institute Winnsboro 0.9 mi 6.2
Fairfield Magnet for Math and Science Winnsboro 2.6 mi 9.7
Fairfield Elementary Winnsboro 3.2 mi 4.2
Kelly Miller Elementary Winnsboro 3.1 mi 5.5
RICHARD WINN ACADEMY Winnsboro 4.1 mi 6.0
Geiger Elementary Ridgeway 9.0 mi 6.2
Muller Road Middle Blythewood 11.4 mi 5.8
Bethel-Hanberry Elementary Blythewood 11.8 mi 5.8
Blythewood High Blythewood 12.4 mi 8.1
McCrorey-Liston School of Technology Blair 11.4 mi 7.0
Langford Elementary Blythewood 13.6 mi 7.2
Oak Pointe Elementary Irmo 15.1 mi 6.2
Westwood High Blythewood 14.7 mi 6.5
Round Top Elementary Blythewood 14.4 mi 5.4
Dutch Fork High Irmo 15.3 mi 8.1
Dutch Fork Middle Irmo 15.4 mi 5.6
Blythewood Middle Blythewood 14.7 mi 5.1
River Springs Elementary Irmo 15.9 mi 6.0
Sandlapper Elementary Columbia 16.5 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29180 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$41,604

Median Home Value

$113,600

Median Rent

$917/mo

Population

11,862

College Educated

15.5%

Homeownership

69.6%

Avg Commute

29.1 min

Poverty Rate

21.8%

Median Age

42.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Fairfield Central High has a median household income of $41,604. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $113,600, with a median rent of $917/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Andrew Jackson High Kershaw, SC 7.5
Andrews High Andrews, SC 7.5
Blacksburg High Blacksburg, SC 7.5
Charleston Charter School for Math and Science Charleston, SC 7.5
Whale Branch Early College High Seabrook, SC 7.5
Abbeville High Abbeville, SC 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fairfield Central High

What grades does Fairfield Central High serve?

Fairfield Central High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Fairfield Central High?

Fairfield Central High has an enrollment of approximately 629 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fairfield Central High?

The student-teacher ratio at Fairfield Central High is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fairfield Central High rank in SC?

Fairfield Central High is ranked #255 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Fairfield Central High's MySchoolScout rating?

Fairfield Central High has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Fairfield Central High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fairfield Central High has 45.3% math proficiency and 68.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Fairfield Central High a charter school?

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

Is Fairfield Central High a Title I school?

No, Fairfield Central High is not currently a Title I school.

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

100.0% of students at Fairfield Central 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

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
High (2,025/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
629
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
56
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Fairfield County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Fairfield 01
District Enrollment
2,229
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$22,949
District Rank
#2 of 7

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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