Best Public Schools in Pelion, SC

Pelion, South Carolina, is served by four public schools within the Lexington 01 school district, enrolling about 2,351 students across two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. While the district itself ranks in the top 20% of the state, the Pelion schools collectively underperform relative to district and state averages, with notable challenges in mathematics and chronic absenteeism.

Pelion Middle is the clear standout, showing the most dramatic improvement—climbing from the 22nd to the 44th percentile in state rankings over three years. Its Algebra 1 pass rate of 92.11% far exceeds district (78.25%) and state (73.95%) averages, suggesting a strong advanced math program. However, general math proficiency remains weak, with 6th-grade math at just 30.5% proficiency. In contrast, Pelion High struggles the most academically, ranking in the bottom half of high schools statewide. Its English 1 proficiency (51.1%) and U.S. History proficiency (55.9%) are roughly 10-16 points below district averages, and its graduation rate of 80.6% lags the district by 8.5 points. Among elementary schools, Pelion Elementary outperforms Forts Pond Elementary in nearly every subject, though both fall well below state averages—particularly in math, where 5th-grade proficiency drops to 29.1% and 28.6%, respectively.

The most pressing issue across all four schools is chronic absenteeism, which ranges from 34.1% at Pelion Elementary to a staggering 48.1% at Pelion High—more than double the district average of 22.7%. This likely drives much of the academic underperformance. Additionally, despite per-student spending between $15,624 and $17,826, outcomes remain below state norms, suggesting a disconnect between resources and results. The positive news is Pelion Middle's upward trajectory, which could serve as a model for other schools. For parents, the key takeaway is that while the district is strong, Pelion schools face systemic challenges—especially in math and attendance—that require targeted intervention.