Laurel Bay’s public schools outscore 74% of South Carolina districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Laurel Bay, 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.
Laurel Bay’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 53% and math 44% in spring 2022, against 52% and 41% statewide; 87% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,357 per student, against $15,090 across South Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then eight middle and six high schools
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.
What’s behind Laurel Bay’s grade
B+: better than 74% of South Carolina school districts, #69 of 169 South Carolina towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the South Carolina average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Laurel Bay, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Laurel Bay
Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 416 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Beaufort
Kindergarten in Laurel Bay
Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 416 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Beaufort
1st grade in Laurel Bay
Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 416 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Beaufort
2nd grade in Laurel Bay
Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 416 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Beaufort
3rd grade in Laurel Bay
Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 416 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Beaufort
4th grade in Laurel Bay
Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 416 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Beaufort
5th grade in Laurel Bay
Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 416 students · 9:1 students per teacher · in Beaufort
Laurel Bay’s public schools are run by Beaufort County School District, which also serves Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head Island and Port Royal and others. 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
Laurel Bay vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Carolina towns that share Laurel Bay’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Laurel Bay | B+ | Beaufort County |
| Beaufort | B+ | Beaufort County |
Every school in Laurel Bay
15 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 Laurel Bay’s schools
Are Laurel Bay’s schools good?
By South Carolina’s own tests, yes: the public schools Laurel Bay children attend outscore 74% of South Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #69 of 169 South Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 73%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Laurel Bay in?
Beaufort County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 21,050 students in 32 schools (2024–25).
Where do Laurel Bay kids go to high school?
One of 6 high schools, depending on your address: May River High, Bluffton High, Hilton Head Island High, Beaufort High, Battery Creek High and Whale Branch Early College High.
What is Laurel Bay’s graduation rate?
87% of the class of 2023 in Beaufort County School District graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina.
How much does Laurel Bay spend per student?
$17,357 in Beaufort County School District (FY2024), against $15,090 across South Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Laurel Bay families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Laurel Bay → 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.