Banksia Hall · Photo: Bill Fitzpatrick · CC BY-SA 3.0Barnwell’s public schools score below 66% of South Carolina districts on tests and graduation
In Barnwell, 32% of tested students are proficient in math, below the South Carolina average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Barnwell, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 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 100% 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.
Barnwell’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 41% of tested students were proficient in reading and 32% in math, against 52% and 41% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
80–84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina (the state reports Barnwell’s rate as a range). Districts ↓
Spending, and where it came from
The district spent $16,344 per student in FY2024, against $15,090 across South Carolina. 29% of its revenue that year was federal (South Carolina 13%), in the last year of pandemic relief. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 7 the district’s path is Guinyard-Butler Middle, then Barnwell High. See the path ↓
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 Barnwell’s grade
C: better than 34% of South Carolina school districts, #138 of 169 South Carolina towns. Both inputs trail the South Carolina average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Barnwell, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Barnwell
Barnwell Primary
Grades PK–3 · 680 students · 13:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Barnwell
Barnwell Primary
Grades PK–3 · 680 students · 13:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Barnwell
Barnwell Primary
Grades PK–3 · 680 students · 13:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Barnwell
Barnwell Primary
Grades PK–3 · 680 students · 13:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Barnwell
Barnwell Elementary
Grades 4–6 · 425 students · 15:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Barnwell
Barnwell Elementary
Grades 4–6 · 425 students · 15:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Barnwell
Barnwell Elementary
Grades 4–6 · 425 students · 15:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Barnwell
Guinyard-Butler Middle
Grades 7–8 · 335 students · 17:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Barnwell
Guinyard-Butler Middle
Grades 7–8 · 335 students · 17:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Barnwell
Barnwell High
Grades 9–12 · 557 students · 14:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Barnwell
Barnwell High
Grades 9–12 · 557 students · 14:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Barnwell
Barnwell High
Grades 9–12 · 557 students · 14:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Barnwell
Barnwell High
Grades 9–12 · 557 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Barnwell’s public schools are run by Barnwell County School District, which also serves Blackville, Elko, Hilda and Kline 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.
Well below the state in reading
Barnwell vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Carolina towns that share Barnwell’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Barnwell | C | Barnwell County |
Every school in Barnwell
4 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 Barnwell’s schools
Are Barnwell’s schools good?
On South Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Barnwell children attend score below 66% of South Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #138 of 169 South Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 31%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Barnwell in?
Barnwell County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,123 students in 9 schools (2024–25).
Where do Barnwell kids go to high school?
Barnwell High, with 557 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Barnwell’s graduation rate?
80–84% of the class of 2023 in Barnwell County School District graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina.
How much does Barnwell spend per student?
$16,344 in Barnwell County School District (FY2024), against $15,090 across South Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Barnwell families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Barnwell → 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.