Best Public Schools in Easley, SC

The city of Easley, South Carolina, is served by 12 public schools spanning elementary through high school, with the majority belonging to the Pickens 01 district, alongside two schools in the higher-performing Anderson 01 district and one charter school.

Families in Easley will find a stark contrast in school quality depending on the district. The standout performer is Hunt Meadows Elementary, which ranks in the 85th percentile statewide and boasts the lowest chronic absenteeism (9.9%) in the area, with ELA proficiency nearly 16 points above the state average. Its district partner, Concrete Primary, also shows strong attendance. Within Pickens 01, Forest Acres Elementary is the top choice, ranking in the 71st percentile with strong ELA scores, while McKissack Academy of Science & Technology also performs above state averages in math. At the secondary level, Richard H. Gettys Middle outperforms Dacusville Middle in nearly every subject, though both struggle with math proficiency in the 28-44% range. Easley High posts a solid 90.5% graduation rate and strong English scores, but its chronic absenteeism rate of 34.4% is a significant concern.

The most troubling outlier is Lakes and Bridges Charter School, which ranks in the bottom 10% statewide despite spending the most per student ($16,547) and having the smallest class sizes—a clear sign that resources alone don't drive results. Similarly, Crosswell Elementary spends above average yet ranks in the 45th percentile with weak science scores. Meanwhile, Dacusville Elementary and East End Elementary offer solid mid-tier options. The overarching pattern is clear: Anderson 01 schools deliver top-tier results with moderate spending, while Pickens 01 schools show inconsistent performance, and secondary-level absenteeism emerges as the city's most pressing systemic challenge.