Photo: The original uploader was Festiva76 at English Wikipedia. · Public domainAiken’s public schools outscore 62% of South Carolina districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Aiken, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Math proficiency in Aiken’s districts is 34%, below the South Carolina average (41%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within South Carolina, not nationally.
From South Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Aiken’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 131 South Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Aiken’s, its schools beat 44%, lower than their 62% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 48% of tested students were proficient in reading and 34% in math, against 52% and 41% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,241 per student, against $15,090 across South Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then two middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
South Aiken Baptist Christian School (private), St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic School (private), Town Creek Christian Academy (private), St. John's Methodist Kindergarten (private), Aiken's First Baptist Church Preschool (private), South Aiken Presbyterian Kindergarten (private), First Presbyterian Church Preschool (private) and Second Baptist Christian Preparatory School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Aiken’s grade
B: better than 62% of South Carolina school districts, #95 of 169 South Carolina towns. Graduation is above the South Carolina average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Aiken, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Aiken · depends on your address
M. B. Kennedy Middle
Grades 6–8 · 643 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Aiken Intermediate
Grades 6 · 427 students · 17:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Aiken · depends on your address
M. B. Kennedy Middle
Grades 6–8 · 643 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Schofield Middle
Grades 7–8 · 356 students · 14:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Aiken · depends on your address
M. B. Kennedy Middle
Grades 6–8 · 643 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Schofield Middle
Grades 7–8 · 356 students · 14:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Aiken · depends on your address
South Aiken High
Grades 9–12 · 1,349 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Aiken High
Grades 9–12 · 1,097 students · 14:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Aiken · depends on your address
South Aiken High
Grades 9–12 · 1,349 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Aiken High
Grades 9–12 · 1,097 students · 14:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Aiken · depends on your address
South Aiken High
Grades 9–12 · 1,349 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Aiken High
Grades 9–12 · 1,097 students · 14:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Aiken · depends on your address
South Aiken High
Grades 9–12 · 1,349 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Aiken High
Grades 9–12 · 1,097 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Aiken’s public schools are run by Aiken County School District, which also serves Burnettown, Jackson, Monetta and New Ellenton and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Aiken vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Carolina towns that share Aiken’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Aiken | B | Aiken County |
Every school in Aiken
17 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with South Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Aiken’s schools
Are Aiken’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of South Carolina: the public schools Aiken children attend outscore 62% of South Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #95 of 169 South Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 44%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Aiken in?
Aiken County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 22,916 students in 40 schools (2024–25).
Where do Aiken kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: South Aiken High and Aiken High.
What is Aiken’s graduation rate?
89% of the class of 2023 in Aiken County School District graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina.
How much does Aiken spend per student?
$13,241 in Aiken County School District (FY2024), against $15,090 across South Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Aiken?
Yes: South Aiken Baptist Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 289 students), St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic School (Catholic, grades K–8, 217 students), Town Creek Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 133 students), St. John's Methodist Kindergarten (religious, grades PK–K, 126 students), Aiken's First Baptist Church Preschool (religious, grades PK–K, 123 students), South Aiken Presbyterian Kindergarten (religious, grades PK–K, 98 students), First Presbyterian Church Preschool (religious, grades PK–K, 76 students) and Second Baptist Christian Preparatory School (religious, grades PK–5, 56 students).
Parents talk
What Aiken families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Aiken → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within South Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.