Best High Schools in Cayce, SC

There is just one high school serving the city of Cayce, South Carolina: Brookland-Cayce High, which is part of the Lexington 02 school district and serves grades 9 through 12 with an enrollment of about 1,212 students.

For parents, the most important takeaway is that Brookland-Cayce High is a school with clear strengths in English but significant struggles in math and student engagement. The school has been improving its overall state ranking over the past three years, climbing from 191st to 171st out of roughly 235-245 schools, and its star rating improved from 1 star to 2 stars. English 1 proficiency is a standout at 78.45%, which is more than 17 points above the state average of 60.91%. However, Algebra 1 proficiency is just 31.42%, a staggering 33 points below the state average, and U.S. History proficiency trails the state by about 20 points. The year-over-year data shows dramatic swings, with English 1 jumping by 32 points while Algebra 1 dropped by nearly 18 points, suggesting inconsistent performance that may reflect changing cohorts or new instructional approaches.

Beyond test scores, there are concerning metrics around student outcomes. The graduation rate is 71.9%, nearly 15 points below the state average of 86.7%, and the dropout rate of 5.8% is almost three times the state rate. Chronic absenteeism affects about one in three students (32.7%), which is 10 points higher than the state average and likely a major factor in the academic struggles. On a positive note, the school spends a substantial $13,658 per student and maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.2 to 1, meaning the resources are there. The challenge is translating that funding into better math outcomes and keeping students engaged and in school. While the school is essentially at parity with its district overall, the district itself ranks in the lower-middle tier of South Carolina, so systemic challenges are at play. The recent ranking improvement and English gains offer hope, but sustained progress in math and attendance will be critical for Brookland-Cayce High to continue its upward trajectory.