Summary:
Shaw Afb, South Carolina is served by two elementary schools within the Sumter 01 district, together educating roughly 839 students in grades 2 through 5. Shaw Heights Elementary (grades 2-3) and High Hills Elementary (grades 4-5) form a complementary pathway, with students transitioning from Shaw Heights into High Hills as they advance.
Shaw Heights is the stronger academic performer, outpacing High Hills in both reading and math. In 2025-2026, Shaw Heights achieved 63.8% proficiency in 3rd-grade ELA and 56.5% in math, compared to High Hills' 58.3% (4th grade ELA) and 36.4% (4th grade math). Shaw Heights also benefits from a more favorable 13.4:1 student-teacher ratio and higher per-student spending ($13,052 vs. $11,449), suggesting a strategic investment in younger grades. However, High Hills shows notable strengths in 5th grade, exceeding district averages in both ELA (53.9% vs. 49%) and math (34.5% vs. 28.9%). Both schools outperform their district averages in most subjects, making them relative bright spots within Sumter 01, despite the district's low overall ranking.
A key concern is the sharp decline in math proficiency as students progress: from 56.5% in 3rd grade to 36.4% in 4th and 34.5% in 5th—a 22-point drop that may signal curriculum alignment issues during the school transition. ELA consistently outperforms math at both schools, with gaps exceeding 19 points. Chronic absenteeism runs around 28-29% at both schools, well above the state average of 22.3%, likely impacting achievement. Shaw Heights has also experienced a significant historical decline, falling from a 3-star rating in 2014-2015 to its current unranked status. For parents, Shaw Heights offers stronger early-grade outcomes and more resources, while High Hills provides competitive 5th-grade results, though both schools trail state averages in most subjects, particularly science, where High Hills' 4th-grade proficiency (37.1%) lags the state by 14.5 points.
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