Cedar Bluff · Photo: Bill Fitzpatrick · CC BY-SA 3.0Buffalo’s public schools score below 77% of South Carolina districts on tests and graduation
25% of students in Buffalo’s public schools are proficient in math, below the South Carolina average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Buffalo, 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.
Buffalo’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 18 South Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Buffalo’s, its schools beat 56%, higher than their 23% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 39% of tested students were proficient in reading and 25% in math, against 52% and 41% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
80% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,938 per student, against $15,090 across South Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 7% since 2020–21. 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 Buffalo’s grade
C−: better than 23% of South Carolina school districts. 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 Buffalo, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Buffalo · depends on your address
Sims Middle
Grades 6–8 · 606 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Union
Jonesville Elementary/Middle
Grades PK–8 · 557 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Jonesville
7th grade in Buffalo · depends on your address
Sims Middle
Grades 6–8 · 606 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Union
Jonesville Elementary/Middle
Grades PK–8 · 557 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Jonesville
8th grade in Buffalo · depends on your address
Sims Middle
Grades 6–8 · 606 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Union
Jonesville Elementary/Middle
Grades PK–8 · 557 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Jonesville
9th grade in Buffalo
Union County High
Grades 9–12 · 1,024 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Union
10th grade in Buffalo
Union County High
Grades 9–12 · 1,024 students · 21:1 students per teacher · in Union
Buffalo’s public schools are run by Union County School District, which also serves Carlisle, Jonesville, Lockhart and Union. 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
Buffalo vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Carolina towns that share Buffalo’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | C− | Union County |
Every school in Buffalo
6 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 Buffalo’s schools
Are Buffalo’s schools good?
On South Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Buffalo children attend score below 77% of South Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 56%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Buffalo in?
Union County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,542 students in 6 schools (2024–25).
Where do Buffalo kids go to high school?
Union County High in Union, with 1,024 students; its own test results earn a B+.
What is Buffalo’s graduation rate?
80% of the class of 2023 in Union County School District graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina.
How much does Buffalo spend per student?
$13,938 in Union County School District (FY2024), against $15,090 across South Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Buffalo families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Buffalo → 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.