Sumter County Courthouse · Photo: The original uploader was Pollinator at English Wikipedia. · CC BY-SA 3.0Sumter’s public schools score below 82% of South Carolina districts on tests and graduation
21% of students in Sumter’s public schools are proficient in math, below the South Carolina average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Sumter, 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.
Sumter’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 185 South Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Sumter’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 ↓
Seven elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 11% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Liberty STEAM Charter School, Wilson Hall (private), Westside Christian Academy (private), Sumter Christian School (private), Trinity Day School (private), Berea Junior Academy (private) and Temple Christian High School (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 Sumter’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 Sumter, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Sumter · depends on your address
Alice Drive Middle
Grades 6–8 · 783 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Bates Middle
Grades 6–8 · 481 students · 13:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Sumter · depends on your address
Alice Drive Middle
Grades 6–8 · 783 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Bates Middle
Grades 6–8 · 481 students · 13:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Sumter · depends on your address
Alice Drive Middle
Grades 6–8 · 783 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Bates Middle
Grades 6–8 · 481 students · 13:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Sumter
Sumter High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,122 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Sumter
Sumter High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,122 students · 17:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Sumter
Sumter High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,122 students · 17:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Sumter
Sumter High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,122 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Sumter’s public schools are run by Sumter County Consolidated School District, which also serves Mayesville and Pinewood. 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
Sumter vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Carolina towns that share Sumter’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Sumter | C− | Sumter County Consolidated |
Every school in Sumter
17 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 (Sumter Career and Technology Center).
Questions about Sumter’s schools
Are Sumter’s schools good?
On South Carolina’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Sumter 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 Sumter in?
Sumter County Consolidated School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 13,871 students in 24 schools (2024–25).
Where do Sumter kids go to high school?
Sumter High School, with 2,122 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Sumter’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 Sumter 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.
Are there private schools in Sumter?
Yes: Wilson Hall (religious, grades PK–12, 803 students), Westside Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–8, 346 students), Sumter Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 214 students), Trinity Day School (religious, grades PK–K, 87 students), Berea Junior Academy (religious, grades PK–7, 15 students) and Temple Christian High School (religious, grades 7–12, 13 students). Sumter also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Sumter families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Sumter → 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.