Photo: Excel23 · CC BY-SA 4.0Central’s public schools outscore 76% of South Carolina districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Central, 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.
Central’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 177 South Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Central’s, its schools beat 71%, lower than their 76% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 56% and math 45% in spring 2022, against 52% and 41% statewide; 85% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,476 per student, against $15,090 across South Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then five middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. 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 Central’s grade
A−: better than 76% of South Carolina school districts, #62 of 169 South Carolina towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the South Carolina average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Central, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Central
Central Academy of the Arts
Grades PK–5 · 499 students · 14:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Central
Central Academy of the Arts
Grades PK–5 · 499 students · 14:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Central
Central Academy of the Arts
Grades PK–5 · 499 students · 14:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Central
Central Academy of the Arts
Grades PK–5 · 499 students · 14:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Central
Central Academy of the Arts
Grades PK–5 · 499 students · 14:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Central
Central Academy of the Arts
Grades PK–5 · 499 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Central’s public schools are run by Pickens County School District, which also serves Clemson, Easley, Liberty and Norris 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.
Above the state in reading
Central vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Carolina towns that share Central’s borders.
Every school in Central
10 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 Central’s schools
Are Central’s schools good?
By South Carolina’s own tests, yes: the public schools Central children attend outscore 76% of South Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #62 of 169 South Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 71%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Central in?
Pickens County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 16,313 students in 23 schools (2024–25).
Where do Central kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Easley High, Pickens High, D. W. Daniel High and Liberty High.
What is Central’s graduation rate?
85% of the class of 2023 in Pickens County School District graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina.
How much does Central spend per student?
$12,476 in Pickens County School District (FY2024), against $15,090 across South Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Central families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Central → 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.