Hagood Mill · Photo: Bill Fitzpatrick · CC BY-SA 3.0Pickens’s public schools outscore 76% of South Carolina districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Pickens, 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.
Pickens’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 56% and math 45% in spring 2022, against 52% and 41% statewide; 85% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,476 per student, against $15,090 across South Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Pickens Middle, then Pickens High. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Missionary Christian School (private) 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 Pickens’s grade
A−: better than 76% of South Carolina school districts, #62 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 Pickens, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Pickens · depends on your address
Hagood Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 567 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Pickens Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 493 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Pickens · depends on your address
Hagood Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 567 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Pickens Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 493 students · 13:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Pickens · depends on your address
Hagood Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 567 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Pickens Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 493 students · 13:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Pickens · depends on your address
Hagood Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 567 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Pickens Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 493 students · 13:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Pickens · depends on your address
Hagood Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 567 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Pickens Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 493 students · 13:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Pickens · depends on your address
Hagood Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 567 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Pickens Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 493 students · 13:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Pickens · depends on your address
Hagood Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 567 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Pickens Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 493 students · 13:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Pickens
Pickens Middle
Grades 6–8 · 566 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Pickens
Pickens Middle
Grades 6–8 · 566 students · 14:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Pickens
Pickens Middle
Grades 6–8 · 566 students · 14:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Pickens
Pickens High
Grades 9–12 · 1,226 students · 15:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Pickens
Pickens High
Grades 9–12 · 1,226 students · 15:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Pickens
Pickens High
Grades 9–12 · 1,226 students · 15:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Pickens
Pickens High
Grades 9–12 · 1,226 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Pickens’s public schools are run by Pickens County School District, which also serves Central, Clemson, Easley and Liberty 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.
Above the state in reading
Pickens vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Carolina towns that share Pickens’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Pickens | A− | Pickens County |
Every school in Pickens
5 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 Pickens’s schools
Are Pickens’s schools good?
By South Carolina’s own tests, yes: the public schools Pickens children attend outscore 76% of South Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #62 of 169 South Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 74%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Pickens in?
Pickens County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 16,313 students in 23 schools (2024–25).
Where do Pickens kids go to high school?
Pickens High, with 1,226 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Pickens’s graduation rate?
85% of the class of 2023 in Pickens County School District graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina.
How much does Pickens spend per student?
$12,476 in Pickens County School District (FY2024), against $15,090 across South Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Pickens?
Yes: Missionary Christian School (religious, grades K–11, 55 students).
Parents talk
What Pickens families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Pickens → 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.