Lakewood’s public schools score below 82% of South Carolina districts on tests and graduation
21% of students in Lakewood’s public schools are proficient in math, below the South Carolina average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Lakewood, 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 97% 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.
Lakewood’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 184 South Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Lakewood’s, its schools beat 12%, lower than their 18% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 37% of tested students were proficient in reading and 21% in math, against 52% and 41% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
77% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,531 per student, against $15,090 across South Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
13 elementary schools, then seven middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 11% since 2020–21. 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.
What’s behind Lakewood’s grade
C−: better than 18% of South Carolina school districts, #155 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 Lakewood, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Lakewood
Lakewood High
Grades 9–12 · 1,013 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Sumter
10th grade in Lakewood
Lakewood High
Grades 9–12 · 1,013 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Sumter
11th grade in Lakewood
Lakewood High
Grades 9–12 · 1,013 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Sumter
12th grade in Lakewood
Lakewood High
Grades 9–12 · 1,013 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Sumter
Lakewood’s public schools are run by Sumter County Consolidated School District, which also serves Mayesville, Pinewood and Sumter. 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
Lakewood vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Carolina towns that share Lakewood’s borders.
Every school in Lakewood
20 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 Lakewood’s schools
Are Lakewood’s schools good?
On South Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Lakewood children attend score below 82% of South Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #155 of 169 South Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 12%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lakewood in?
Sumter County Consolidated School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 13,871 students in 24 schools (2024–25).
Where do Lakewood kids go to high school?
Lakewood High in Sumter, with 1,013 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is Lakewood’s graduation rate?
77% of the class of 2023 in Sumter County Consolidated School District graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina.
How much does Lakewood spend per student?
$14,531 in Sumter County Consolidated School District (FY2024), against $15,090 across South Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Lakewood families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lakewood → 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.