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
Enrollment
629
Student-Teacher
11.2:1
Score
7.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Fairfield Central High — Students at Fairfield Central High score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.4/10.
How Fairfield Central High Compares
See how Fairfield Central High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 57% (2019) to 72% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (803) 635-1441
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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