Photo: Florence Conventions and Visitors Bureau · CC BY-SA 4.0Florence’s public schools outscore 72% of South Carolina districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Florence, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 35% of students in Florence’s public schools are proficient in math, below the South Carolina average (41%). 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.
Florence’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 51% of tested students were proficient in reading and 35% in math, against 52% and 41% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,216 per student, against $15,090 across South Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Eight elementary schools, then two middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Florence Christian School (private), The King's Academy (private), Montessori School of Florence (private), St. Anthony Catholic School (private), Calvary Baptist Kindergarten (private) and Highland Park Kindergarten (private) are 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 Florence’s grade
B+: better than 72% of South Carolina school districts, #81 of 169 South Carolina towns. Graduation is above the South Carolina average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Florence, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Florence · depends on your address
McLaurin Elementary
Grades PK–2 · 552 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Child Development Center at Woods Road
Grades PK · 189 students · 12:1 students per teacher
R.N. Beck Child Development Center
Grades PK · 168 students · 12:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Florence · depends on your address
John W. Moore Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,056 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Williams Middle
Grades 6–8 · 792 students · 12:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Florence · depends on your address
John W. Moore Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,056 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Williams Middle
Grades 6–8 · 792 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Florence · depends on your address
John W. Moore Middle
Grades 6–8 · 1,056 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Williams Middle
Grades 6–8 · 792 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Florence · depends on your address
West Florence High
Grades 9–12 · 1,827 students · 17:1 students per teacher
South Florence High
Grades 9–12 · 1,580 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Wilson High
Grades 9–12 · 1,373 students · 15:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Florence · depends on your address
West Florence High
Grades 9–12 · 1,827 students · 17:1 students per teacher
South Florence High
Grades 9–12 · 1,580 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Wilson High
Grades 9–12 · 1,373 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Florence’s public schools are run by Florence School District 1, which also serves Quinby and Timmonsville. 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.
Close to the state in reading
Florence vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Carolina towns that share Florence’s borders.
Every school in Florence
21 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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Advantage Academy).
Questions about Florence’s schools
Are Florence’s schools good?
By South Carolina’s own tests, yes: the public schools Florence children attend outscore 72% of South Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #81 of 169 South Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 69%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Florence in?
Florence School District 1, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 15,861 students in 23 schools (2024–25).
Where do Florence kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: West Florence High, South Florence High and Wilson High.
What is Florence’s graduation rate?
93% of the class of 2023 in Florence School District 1 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina.
How much does Florence spend per student?
$14,216 in Florence School District 1 (FY2024), against $15,090 across South Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Florence?
Yes: Florence Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 638 students), The King's Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 337 students), Montessori School of Florence (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 144 students), St. Anthony Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 132 students), Calvary Baptist Kindergarten (religious, grades PK–K, 123 students) and Highland Park Kindergarten (religious, grades PK–K, 57 students).
Parents talk
What Florence families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Florence → 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.