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Duncan-Main-St-scPhoto: Brian Stansberry · CC BY 4.0
A−
Schools in Duncan · Spartanburg School District 5

Duncan’s public schools outscore 82% of South Carolina districts

50% of students in Duncan’s public schools are proficient in math, above the South Carolina average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Duncan, 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.

#43of 169 South Carolina townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
58%
▲ 6 pts vs SC 52%
2021–22
Math proficiency
50%
▲ 9 pts vs SC 41%
2021–22
Graduate on time
86%
▲ 2 pts vs SC 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.3K
▼ 12% vs SC $15.1K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.8
SC 14.3 · smaller classes
Schools in town
5
4,910 students on the public path
In brief

Duncan’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 58% and math 50% in spring 2022, against 52% and 41% statewide; 86% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,331 per student, against $15,090 across South Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Beech Springs Middle, then James F. Byrnes 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Duncan’s grade

A Test scoresB Graduation

A−: better than 82% of South Carolina school districts, #43 of 169 South Carolina towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the South Carolina average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

South Carolina school districts we grade (92)Better than 82%
Lower resultsHigher results
South Carolina towns with similar household incomes (196)Better than 85%
A−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 5,189 test results and a graduating class of 760 could put Duncan anywhere from A− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Duncan’s students in the tested grades sat them (5,059 in math, 5,319 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Duncan, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressC+
6–8Beech Springs MiddleSpartanburg School District 5B−
9–12James F. Byrnes HighSpartanburg School District 5B+

Duncan’s public schools are run by Spartanburg School District 5, which also serves Greer, Lyman, Reidville and Wellford. 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.

Spartanburg School District 5Grades PK–12 · 14 schools · 11,066 students · 13.8 per teacher (SC 14.3)
$13,331SC $15,090 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading58%
State average 52.1% · 5319 students tested
Math50%
State average 41% · 5059 students tested

Duncan vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the South Carolina towns that share Duncan’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
DuncanA−Spartanburg School District 5
LymanA−Spartanburg School District 5
GreerA−Greenville County PK–12 · Spartanburg School District 5 PK–12
WellfordA−Spartanburg School District 5

All 3 neighbors share Spartanburg School District 5 with Duncan, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Duncan

5 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).

District schools in Duncanby address
Duncan Elementary School of the Arts
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C+
670 students11:1Rate it →
Tyger River Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
473 students12:1Rate it →
Beech Springs Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
B−
584 students11:1Rate it →
James F. Byrnes High
High · Grades 9–12
B+
2,391 students19:1Rate it →
James Byrnes Freshman Academy
Secondary · Grades 9
A+
792 students15:1Rate it →

Questions about Duncan’s schools

Are Duncan’s schools good?

By South Carolina’s own tests, yes: the public schools Duncan children attend outscore 82% of South Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #43 of 169 South Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 85%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Duncan in?

Spartanburg School District 5, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 11,066 students in 14 schools (2024–25).

Where do Duncan kids go to high school?

James F. Byrnes High, with 2,391 students; its own test results earn a B+.

What is Duncan’s graduation rate?

86% of the class of 2023 in Spartanburg School District 5 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina.

How much does Duncan spend per student?

$13,331 in Spartanburg School District 5 (FY2024), against $15,090 across South Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Duncan families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Duncan → 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.