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Average

#424 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 36% in state

Pickens High

High School · Pickens 01

150 Blue Flame Drive, Pickens, SC 29671

Enrollment

1,281

Student-Teacher

16.2:1

Score

6.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Pickens

#3 of 6

public schools

South Carolina high schools

#120 of 216

In district

#5 of 23

Pickens 01

Academic growth

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Pickens High

Pickens High serves 1,281 students in grades 9-12 in Pickens County, South Carolina, maintaining a manageable student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1 with 79 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #265 out of 1,192 South Carolina high schools, placing it in the 78th percentile statewide. Students at Pickens High show particular strength in English Language Arts, with an impressive 86% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.

Mathematics presents more of a growth opportunity, with 51% of students meeting proficiency standards. The school's overall academic score of 8.5 out of 10 reflects its commitment to student achievement and educational excellence. The school draws from a stable community where the median household income is $63,430 and the median home value is $183,800.

With a poverty rate of 11.8% among the ZIP code's 19,318 residents, the area represents a working-class community where 18% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Pickens High is situated in a town on the fringe of an urban area, offering students access to both small-town community values and broader metropolitan opportunities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.5Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.9Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51%
Reading/ELA Proficiency86%
Overall Proficiency69%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected+14.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College Readiness5.7Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation10.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,622

Pickens High — Students at Pickens High score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 46.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 75.3%
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
51%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
78%
2022
Math
51%
ELA
86%

* 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: 9.5/10.

How Pickens High Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
64th percentile in SC
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
9.5/10
Above average
Environment
2.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
79 teachers

Location

150 Blue Flame Drive, Pickens, SC 29671

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pickens High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Youth Leadership Academy (rated 8.4/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Liberty High (rated 7.6/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Liberty), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Lakes and Bridges Charter School (rated 7.4/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Easley), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Pickens, see our Pickens schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Hagood Elementary Pickens 0.9 mi 3.6
Pickens Middle Pickens 1.5 mi 6.2
Pickens Elementary Pickens 2.4 mi 7.1
SOARING EAGLES CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Pickens 2.4 mi
LAKEVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pickens 2.9 mi 4.3
Youth Leadership Academy Pickens 3.0 mi 8.4
Ambler Elementary Pickens 4.6 mi 4.5
Liberty Elementary Liberty 8.1 mi 5.7
Liberty Middle Liberty 8.2 mi 5.6
McKissick Academy of Science and Technology Easley 7.2 mi 6.5
Six Mile Elementary Six Mile 8.0 mi 3.9
Richard H. Gettys Middle Easley 8.6 mi 5.3
Liberty High Liberty 9.7 mi 7.6
East End Elementary Easley 8.7 mi 4.2
West End Elementary Easley 9.4 mi 5.2
Liberty Primary Liberty 11.1 mi 6.1
Lakes and Bridges Charter School Easley 9.6 mi 7.4
EASLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Easley 10.0 mi 5.7
Forest Acres Elementary Easley 10.2 mi 4.6
Dacusville Elementary Easley 9.8 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29671 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,429

Median Home Value

$202,100

Median Rent

$917/mo

Population

19,210

College Educated

16.8%

Homeownership

83.4%

Avg Commute

32.2 min

Poverty Rate

12%

Median Age

41.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pickens High has a median household income of $65,429. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $202,100, with a median rent of $917/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.0%. The average commute for residents is 32 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
Broome High Spartanburg, SC 6.9
Camden High Camden, SC 6.9
Greenwood High Greenwood, SC 6.9
Hartsville High Hartsville, SC 6.9
May River High Bluffton, SC 6.9
Woodruff High Woodruff, SC 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pickens High

What grades does Pickens High serve?

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

How many students attend Pickens High?

Pickens High has an enrollment of approximately 1,281 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pickens High?

The student-teacher ratio at Pickens High is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pickens High rank in SC?

Pickens High is ranked #424 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Pickens High's MySchoolScout rating?

Pickens High has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Pickens High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pickens High has 46.3% math proficiency and 75.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pickens High a charter school?

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

Is Pickens High a Title I school?

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

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

60.7% of students at Pickens 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,365/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,281
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
79
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Pickens County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pickens 01
District Enrollment
16,223
Schools in District
24
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,485
District Rank
#5 of 23

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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