Photo: Calatayudboy · CC BY-SA 4.0Lancaster’s public schools outscore 71% of South Carolina districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Lancaster, 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.
Lancaster’s schools, in brief
Above the state in math, below in reading
Reading proficiency is 52% and math 45% in spring 2022, against 52% and 41% statewide; 83% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,299 per student, against $15,090 across South Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Two elementary schools, then five middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 11% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Discovery Charter of Lancaster is 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 Lancaster’s grade
B+: better than 71% of South Carolina school districts, #83 of 169 South Carolina towns. Test scores are above the South Carolina average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Lancaster, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Lancaster · depends on your address
North Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 645 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Clinton Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 412 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Lancaster · depends on your address
North Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 645 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Clinton Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 412 students · 12:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Lancaster · depends on your address
North Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 645 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Clinton Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 412 students · 12:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Lancaster · depends on your address
North Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 645 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Clinton Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 412 students · 12:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Lancaster · depends on your address
North Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 645 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Clinton Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 412 students · 12:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Lancaster · depends on your address
North Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 645 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Clinton Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 412 students · 12:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Lancaster · depends on your address
North Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 645 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Clinton Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 412 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Lancaster
Lancaster High
Grades 9–12 · 1,390 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Lancaster
Lancaster High
Grades 9–12 · 1,390 students · 16:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Lancaster
Lancaster High
Grades 9–12 · 1,390 students · 16:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Lancaster
Lancaster High
Grades 9–12 · 1,390 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Lancaster’s public schools are run by Lancaster County School District, which also serves Heath Springs, Kershaw and Van Wyck. 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
Lancaster vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Carolina towns that share Lancaster’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lancaster | B+ | Lancaster County |
Every school in Lancaster
9 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 (Lancaster County School District Career Center).
Questions about Lancaster’s schools
Are Lancaster’s schools good?
By South Carolina’s own tests, yes: the public schools Lancaster children attend outscore 71% of South Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #83 of 169 South Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 72%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lancaster in?
Lancaster County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 15,417 students in 22 schools (2024–25).
Where do Lancaster kids go to high school?
Lancaster High, with 1,390 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is Lancaster’s graduation rate?
83% of the class of 2023 in Lancaster County School District graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina.
How much does Lancaster spend per student?
$13,299 in Lancaster County School District (FY2024), against $15,090 across South Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Lancaster families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lancaster → 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.