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Excellent

#2 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 1% in state

Whale Branch Early College High

High School · Beaufort 01

169 Detour Road, Seabrook, SC 29940

Enrollment

450

Student-Teacher

9.8:1

Score

9.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Seabrook

#1 of 3

public schools

South Carolina high schools

#1 of 216

In district

#1 of 32

Beaufort 01

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Whale Branch Early College High

Whale Branch Early College High stands out as one of South Carolina's premier public high schools, ranking #3 out of 1,192 schools statewide and earning an impressive 8.6 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. This exceptional 9th through 12th grade school serves 450 students with an outstanding student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, supported by 46 full-time equivalent teachers who help create a personalized learning environment. The school's academic excellence shines through its test performance, with 77% of students achieving proficient or above levels in both English Language Arts and Math across all grade levels.

This consistent strength across core subjects reflects the school's commitment to preparing students for post-secondary success, particularly fitting given its early college designation. Despite being located in a community where only 19% of residents hold bachelor's degrees, Whale Branch Early College High demonstrates that dedicated educators and focused programming can help students achieve remarkable academic outcomes. The school's 9.3 out of 10 academic score places it in the 100th percentile statewide, showcasing its ability to maximize student potential.

Situated on Detour Road in Seabrook, this rural school serves the Beaufort County community with distinction, proving that geographic location doesn't limit educational excellence when combined with strong leadership and innovative programming.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, Whale Branch Early College High offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Whale Branch Early College 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 Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change+4.32 pts/yr
Data Period2010–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.7Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Overall Proficiency77%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected+40.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile95th
College Readiness9.5Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,232
Chronic Absenteeism25.1%

Whale Branch Early College High — Students at Whale Branch Early College High score 77% 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 58.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 65.1%
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2010
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2013
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2018
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2019
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
87%
2022
Math
77%
ELA
77%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Whale Branch Early College High Compares

See how Whale Branch Early College High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.6/10
100th percentile in SC
Academic
9.7/10
9.7/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average
Sports
16
8 boys' · 8 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
46 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year
25.1%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics16sports offered
8 boys'·8 girls'·23 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2020-21
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2020-21
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

169 Detour Road, Seabrook, SC 29940

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Whale Branch Early College High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Battery Creek High (rated 8.8/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Beaufort), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Beaufort High (rated 7.9/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Beaufort), a more accessible option. For more schools in Seabrook, see our Seabrook schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Whale Branch Middle Seabrook 1.2 mi 4.8
Whale Branch Elementary Seabrook 1.3 mi 4.0
AGAPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lobeco 2.7 mi 7.3
Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary Beaufort 5.1 mi 4.1
AMIKIDS BEAUFORT Seabrook 5.4 mi
Battery Creek High Beaufort 6.2 mi 8.8
Robert Smalls Leadership Academy Beaufort 6.8 mi 7.0
Broad River Elementary Beaufort 6.9 mi 6.5
BEAUFORT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Beaufort 7.8 mi 4.3
Beaufort Elementary Beaufort 7.5 mi 6.7
Bridges Preparatory School Beaufort 7.6 mi 8.3
Coosa Elementary Beaufort 8.2 mi 8.8
Riverview Charter School Beaufort 9.4 mi 7.8
Beaufort Middle Beaufort 9.2 mi 5.3
Mossy Oaks Elementary Beaufort 9.3 mi 6.5
Beaufort High Beaufort 9.3 mi 7.9
Lowcountry Montessori School Beaufort 10.1 mi 6.1
BEAUFORT ACADEMY Beaufort 9.1 mi 7.4
ST PETERS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Beaufort 9.8 mi 7.7
Lady's Island Middle Beaufort 10.0 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29940 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,642

Median Home Value

$118,000

Population

3,594

College Educated

21.3%

Homeownership

87.2%

Poverty Rate

20.1%

Median Age

56.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Whale Branch Early College High has a median household income of $50,642. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $118,000. The area has a poverty rate of 20.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Greenville Technical Charter High School Greenville, SC 9.5
Brashier Middle College Charter High Simpsonville, SC 9.4
Greer Middle College Charter High Taylors, SC 9.4
Calhoun County High St. Matthews, SC 9.1
Johnsonville High Johnsonville, SC 8.9
Mayo High For Math Science & Technology Darlington, SC 8.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Whale Branch Early College High

What grades does Whale Branch Early College High serve?

Whale Branch Early College High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Whale Branch Early College High?

Whale Branch Early College High has an enrollment of approximately 450 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Whale Branch Early College High?

The student-teacher ratio at Whale Branch Early College High is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Whale Branch Early College High rank in SC?

Whale Branch Early College High is ranked #2 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Whale Branch Early College High's MySchoolScout rating?

Whale Branch Early College High has a composite rating of 9.6 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 Whale Branch Early College High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whale Branch Early College High has 58.5% math proficiency and 65.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Whale Branch Early College High a charter school?

No, Whale Branch Early College High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Whale Branch Early College High a Title I school?

No, Whale Branch Early College High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Whale Branch Early College High?

100.0% of students at Whale Branch Early College 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
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
450
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
46
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Beaufort County
Chronic Absenteeism
25.1%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Beaufort 01
District Enrollment
21,489
Schools in District
32
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,232
District Rank
#1 of 32

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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