Summary:
Moore, South Carolina, is served by three public schools—two elementary schools and one middle school—that together educate approximately 2,199 students across two different districts in Spartanburg County. The educational landscape here presents a striking contrast: the elementary schools are standout performers, while the middle school struggles to maintain similar academic momentum.
River Ridge Elementary is the clear academic leader, ranking in the 86th percentile statewide and showing a dramatic 36-percentile-point improvement over two years. Its 3rd graders post exceptional proficiency rates—84.4% in ELA and 84.5% in math—both far exceeding state averages. Anderson Mill Elementary also impresses, ranking in the 78th percentile despite belonging to the lower-rated Spartanburg 06 district (2 stars). Its 4th grade math proficiency of 78% is a remarkable 30 points above its district average. Both elementary schools outperform their districts significantly, showing that individual school quality can diverge sharply from district reputation.
The transition to R. P. Dawkins Middle reveals a concerning drop-off. While River Ridge's 5th graders achieve 74% ELA proficiency, Dawkins' 6th graders fall to 49.4%; math proficiency plunges from 68.5% to 36.4%—a 32-point decline. Dawkins also has the highest chronic absenteeism rate (22.7%) and the lowest per-student spending ($12,074). Interestingly, the school reports 100% proficiency in Algebra 1, suggesting it excels with advanced students while struggling with grade-level instruction. For parents, the message is clear: Moore offers exceptional elementary education, particularly at River Ridge, but families should be prepared for potential academic challenges when their children reach middle school.
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