Summary:
Gilbert, South Carolina, is home to a single public high school, Gilbert High, which serves grades 9 through 12 and is part of the Lexington 01 school district, a highly rated district ranking in the 81st percentile statewide.
For parents, Gilbert High is a school on a clear upward trajectory. Over the past two years, it has jumped from the 59th to the 80th percentile in state rankings, now earning a 4-star rating. The school’s standout strength is English, with a remarkable 90.2% proficiency rate in English 1 for the 2025-2026 school year—far exceeding both the district (72%) and state (61%) averages. English 2 proficiency is also strong at 86.8%, above the state average. Graduation rates are excellent at 91.8%, and the dropout rate is just 1.0%, less than half the state average. However, there are areas of concern. Chronic absenteeism is notably high at 26.1%, exceeding both district and state rates, which suggests a significant portion of students may be disengaged. Additionally, math performance lags, with Algebra 1 proficiency at 73.3%, slightly below the state average. The school’s per-student spending is $16,009 with a favorable 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio.
The most striking finding is the dramatic 20-point single-year improvement in English 1 scores, which appears to be the primary driver of the school’s ranking surge. Yet, performance in other subjects like English 2 and U.S. History remains at or slightly below district averages, creating a paradox where one exceptional subject masks relative mediocrity elsewhere. This volatility, combined with high absenteeism, suggests that while the students who attend are performing well, the school may need to focus on improving engagement and math instruction to ensure consistent, broad-based success for all students.
Thank you for your feedback!