Skip to main content

Average

#523 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 44% in state

Gaffney High

High School · Cherokee 01

149 Twin Lake Road, Gaffney, SC 29341

Enrollment

1,878

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

6.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Gaffney

#3 of 11

public schools

South Carolina high schools

#144 of 216

In district

#3 of 14

Cherokee 01

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Gaffney High

Gaffney High serves 1,878 students in grades 9-12 in the town of Gaffney, South Carolina. With 107 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 17.6:1 student-teacher ratio, providing reasonable class sizes for this large high school community. Academically, Gaffney High ranks #529 out of 1,192 schools statewide, placing it in the 56th percentile among South Carolina high schools.

The school shows solid performance in English Language Arts, with 70% of students scoring proficient or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, as 41% of students currently achieve proficiency. These results reflect the school's ongoing focus on student development across all academic areas.

The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $50,487 and 23% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a poverty rate of 16.5%, Gaffney High serves students from varied socioeconomic backgrounds, creating opportunities for rich peer interactions and community connections. Located at 149 Twin Lake Road, Gaffney High sits in Cherokee County's friendly town setting, where median home values of $160,700 reflect an accessible community for families seeking quality public education in upstate South Carolina.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.0Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41%
Reading/ELA Proficiency70%
Overall Proficiency56%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected+8.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College Readiness5.2Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation8.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.9Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,030

Gaffney High — Students at Gaffney High score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 40.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 70.0%
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
39%
ELA
65%
2021*
Math
40%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
41%
ELA
70%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Gaffney High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.5/10
56th percentile in SC
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
107 teachers

Location

149 Twin Lake Road, Gaffney, SC 29341

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gaffney High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Blacksburg High (rated 7.5/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Blacksburg), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Broome High (rated 6.9/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Spartanburg), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Gaffney, see our Gaffney schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Limestone-Central Elementary Gaffney 1.4 mi 4.1
B. D. Lee Elementary Gaffney 1.4 mi 3.2
Gaffney Middle Gaffney 2.3 mi 6.7
Luther L. Vaughan Elementary Gaffney 3.2 mi 5.4
John E. Ewing Middle Gaffney 3.1 mi 3.8
Grassy Pond Elementary Gaffney 4.7 mi 4.2
Corinth Elementary Gaffney 4.5 mi 5.3
Cherokee Charter Academy Gaffney 4.5 mi 6.8
Northwest Elementary Gaffney 5.2 mi 5.4
Draytonville Elementary Gaffney 6.0 mi 4.1
Cowpens Elementary Cowpens 8.2 mi 8.6
Blacksburg Elementary Blacksburg 9.8 mi 6.3
Blacksburg Middle Blacksburg 10.0 mi 4.0
Mayo Elementary Mayo 9.9 mi 6.8
Boiling Springs Elementary Shelby 12.0 mi 8.8
Blacksburg High Blacksburg 10.1 mi 7.5
Clifdale Middle Spartanburg 10.7 mi 6.1
Broome High Spartanburg 10.7 mi 6.9
Pacolet Elementary Pacolet 12.3 mi 5.6
Chesnee Middle Chesnee 11.0 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29341 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,631

Median Home Value

$171,300

Median Rent

$857/mo

Population

19,564

College Educated

27%

Homeownership

72%

Avg Commute

22.6 min

Poverty Rate

16.8%

Median Age

37.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gaffney High has a median household income of $55,631. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $171,300, with a median rent of $857/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.8%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Westwood High Blythewood, SC 6.5
Belton Honea Path High Honea Path, SC 6.4
Gilbert High Gilbert, SC 6.6
Lugoff-Elgin High Lugoff, SC 6.6
Midland Valley High Graniteville, SC 6.4
North Myrtle Beach High Little River, SC 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gaffney High

What grades does Gaffney High serve?

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

How many students attend Gaffney High?

Gaffney High has an enrollment of approximately 1,878 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gaffney High?

The student-teacher ratio at Gaffney High is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gaffney High rank in SC?

Gaffney High is ranked #523 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Gaffney High's MySchoolScout rating?

Gaffney High has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Gaffney High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gaffney High has 40.0% math proficiency and 70.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gaffney High a charter school?

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

Is Gaffney High a Title I school?

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

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

76.8% of students at Gaffney 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
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,436/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,878
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
107
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Cherokee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Cherokee 01
District Enrollment
7,712
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,668
District Rank
#3 of 14

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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.