Cornwell Inn · Photo: Bill Fitzpatrick · CC BY-SA 3.0Chester’s public schools score below 67% of South Carolina districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 31% of Chester’s students scored proficient, below the South Carolina average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Chester, 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.
Chester’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 41% of tested students were proficient in reading and 31% in math, against 52% and 41% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
81% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,618 per student, against $15,090 across South Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then three middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Academy for Teaching and Learning is 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 Chester’s grade
C: better than 33% of South Carolina school districts, #140 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 Chester, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Chester · depends on your address
Chester Middle
Grades 6–8 · 479 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Great Falls High
Grades 6–12 · 375 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Great Falls
Lewisville Middle
Grades 6–8 · 295 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Richburg
7th grade in Chester · depends on your address
Chester Middle
Grades 6–8 · 479 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Great Falls High
Grades 6–12 · 375 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Great Falls
Lewisville Middle
Grades 6–8 · 295 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Richburg
8th grade in Chester · depends on your address
Chester Middle
Grades 6–8 · 479 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Great Falls High
Grades 6–12 · 375 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Great Falls
Lewisville Middle
Grades 6–8 · 295 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Richburg
9th grade in Chester · depends on your address
Chester Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 699 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Lewisville High
Grades 9–12 · 431 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Richburg
Great Falls High
Grades 6–12 · 375 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Great Falls
10th grade in Chester · depends on your address
Chester Senior High
Grades 9–12 · 699 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Lewisville High
Grades 9–12 · 431 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Richburg
Great Falls High
Grades 6–12 · 375 students · 11:1 students per teacher · in Great Falls
Chester’s public schools are run by Chester County School District, which also serves Fort Lawn, Great Falls, Lowrys and Richburg. 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
Chester vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Carolina towns that share Chester’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Chester | C | Chester County |
Every school in Chester
11 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 Chester’s schools
Are Chester’s schools good?
On South Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Chester children attend score below 67% of South Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #140 of 169 South Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 32%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Chester in?
Chester County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,523 students in 11 schools (2024–25).
Where do Chester kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Chester Senior High, Lewisville High and Great Falls High.
What is Chester’s graduation rate?
81% of the class of 2023 in Chester County School District graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina.
How much does Chester spend per student?
$16,618 in Chester County School District (FY2024), against $15,090 across South Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Chester families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Chester → 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.