Photo: Evanoco · CC BY-SA 4.0Hartsville’s public schools score below 51% of South Carolina districts on tests and graduation
Reading proficiency in Hartsville’s districts is 41%, below the South Carolina average (52%). The grade covers the public school district serving Hartsville, 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.
Hartsville’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 41% of tested students were proficient in reading and 33% in math, against 52% and 41% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,954 per student, against $15,090 across South Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and one high school
From grade 6 the district’s path is Hartsville Middle, then Hartsville High. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Butler Academy, FPC Early Childhood Education Program (private) and First Baptist (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 Hartsville’s grade
B−: better than 49% of South Carolina school districts, #124 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 Hartsville, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Hartsville
Bay Road Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 563 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Hartsville
Bay Road Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 563 students · 14:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Hartsville
Hartsville Middle
Grades 6–8 · 801 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Hartsville
Hartsville Middle
Grades 6–8 · 801 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Hartsville
Hartsville Middle
Grades 6–8 · 801 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Hartsville
Hartsville High
Grades 9–12 · 1,129 students · 15:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Hartsville
Hartsville High
Grades 9–12 · 1,129 students · 15:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Hartsville
Hartsville High
Grades 9–12 · 1,129 students · 15:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Hartsville
Hartsville High
Grades 9–12 · 1,129 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Hartsville’s public schools are run by Darlington County School District, which also serves Darlington, Lamar and Society Hill. 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
Hartsville vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Carolina towns that share Hartsville’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Hartsville | B− | Darlington County |
Every school in Hartsville
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 Hartsville’s schools
Are Hartsville’s schools good?
On South Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Hartsville children attend score below 51% of South Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #124 of 169 South Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 46%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Hartsville in?
Darlington County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 8,793 students in 18 schools (2024–25).
Where do Hartsville kids go to high school?
Hartsville High, with 1,129 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Hartsville’s graduation rate?
89% of the class of 2023 in Darlington County School District graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina.
How much does Hartsville spend per student?
$17,954 in Darlington County School District (FY2024), against $15,090 across South Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Hartsville?
Yes: FPC Early Childhood Education Program (religious, grades PK–K, 84 students) and First Baptist (religious, grades PK–K, 67 students). Hartsville also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Hartsville families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Hartsville → 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.