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Gaffney HIstorical DistrictPhoto: Bill Fitzpatrick · CC BY-SA 3.0
C
Schools in Gaffney · Cherokee County School District

Gaffney’s public schools score below 73% of South Carolina districts on tests and graduation

In Gaffney, 27% of tested students are proficient in math, below the South Carolina average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Gaffney, 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.

#148of 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
42%
▼ 10 pts vs SC 52%
2021–22
Math proficiency
27%
▼ 14 pts vs SC 41%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80%
▼ 4 pts vs SC 84%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.8K
▼ 2% vs SC $15.1K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.2
SC 14.3
Schools in town
4
3,661 students on the public path
In brief

Gaffney’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 42% of tested students were proficient in reading and 27% 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 $14,757 per student, against $15,090 across South Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then two middle and one high school

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Gaffney’s grade

C Test scoresC− Graduation

C: better than 27% of South Carolina school districts, #148 of 169 South Carolina towns. Both inputs trail the South Carolina average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

South Carolina school districts we grade (92)Better than 27%
Lower resultsHigher results
South Carolina towns with similar household incomes (159)Better than 31%
C−CA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 4,004 test results and a graduating class of 623 could put Gaffney anywhere from C− to C. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Gaffney’s students in the tested grades sat them (3,933 in math, 4,074 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–5B. D. Lee ElementaryCherokee County School DistrictD
6–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressC− to C
9–12Gaffney HighCherokee County School DistrictA−

Gaffney’s public schools are run by Cherokee County School District, which also serves Blacksburg. 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.

Cherokee County School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 14 schools · 7,525 students, up 3% since 2020–21 · 14.2 per teacher (SC 14.3)
$14,757SC $15,090 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading42%
State average 52.1% · 4074 students tested
Math27%
State average 41% · 3933 students tested

Gaffney vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
GaffneyCCherokee County

Every school in Gaffney

4 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 Gaffneyby address
B. D. Lee Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–5
D
603 students15:1Rate it →
Gaffney Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
C
851 students12:1Rate it →
John E. Ewing Middle
Middle · Grades 6–8
C−
380 students12:1Rate it →
Gaffney High
High · Grades 9–12
A−
1,827 students18:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Institute of Innovation).

Questions about Gaffney’s schools

Are Gaffney’s schools good?

On South Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Gaffney children attend score below 73% of South Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #148 of 169 South Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 31%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Gaffney in?

Cherokee County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 7,525 students in 14 schools (2024–25).

Where do Gaffney kids go to high school?

Gaffney High, with 1,827 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Gaffney’s graduation rate?

80% of the class of 2023 in Cherokee County School District graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina.

How much does Gaffney spend per student?

$14,757 in Cherokee County School District (FY2024), against $15,090 across South Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Gaffney families are saying about school.

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Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Gaffney → 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.