Summary:
The city of Laurens, South Carolina is home to 6 schools serving students from elementary through high school, including 3 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school. The schools in the Laurens 55 district face several challenges, including consistently low academic performance, high rates of chronic absenteeism, and a student population that qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch at 100%.
Laurens District 55 High School is the largest school in the district with 1,540 students, but it has consistently ranked in the bottom half of South Carolina high schools, with a 4-year graduation rate of 85.4% and a dropout rate of 2.3%, both below state averages. In contrast, Sanders Middle School has the smallest student population with 289 students and has also consistently ranked in the bottom half of South Carolina middle schools, with relatively low proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Mathematics.
Across the district, the chronic absenteeism rate is 22.5%, significantly higher than the state average. Spending per student varies, ranging from $12,998 at Laurens District 55 High School to $15,689 at Sanders Middle School. The district's academic performance is generally below state averages, raising concerns about equity and the ability of the schools to effectively support their high-needs student population.
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