Best Public Schools in Hartsville, SC

Hartsville, South Carolina is served by nine public schools—six elementary schools (including an early childhood center and a K-8 charter academy), one middle school, and two high schools—enrolling roughly 4,428 students across the Darlington 01, School Public Charter School District, and the independent Governor's School for Science and Mathematics district.

For parents, the standout traditional school is Carolina Elementary, which earns a 4-star rating and ranks in the 76th percentile statewide. Its 4th grade math proficiency (85%) and science proficiency (77.5%) far exceed district and state averages, and its chronic absenteeism rate of 5.8% is the lowest in the area—nearly four times better than the state average. Butler Academy, a K-8 charter, also impresses with the best 5th grade ELA scores (76.8%) and strong Algebra 1 results (93.62% proficiency), despite spending the least per student ($15,317). North Hartsville Elementary showed the most improvement, jumping from the 40th to 60th percentile in one year. At the high school level, the Governor's School for Science and Mathematics is elite—100% graduation, 0% dropout, and 100% proficiency on U.S. History—but it serves a highly selective population. In contrast, Hartsville High is struggling, with an 80.9% graduation rate, a 5.0% dropout rate (more than double the state), and a declining state ranking from the 38th to 16th percentile over three years.

Concerning trends emerge at Thornwell School for the Arts, which spends the most per student ($21,716) yet has the highest chronic absenteeism (32.7%) and weak test scores—only 29% proficiency in 5th grade math. Southside Early Childhood Center also faces a 32.2% absenteeism rate, a concern for early learners. Hartsville Middle shows a troubling math slide (34% in 6th grade down to 27.5% in 8th grade), though its Algebra 1 scores are exceptional. Bay Road Elementary sits near the middle of the pack. The clearest pattern: schools with lower absenteeism—like Carolina and Butler—achieve better outcomes, making attendance a critical district-wide priority.