Summary:
Dillon 03 is a small, rural South Carolina school district serving about 1,492 students across three schools: Latta Elementary (PK-5), Latta Middle (6-8), and Latta High (9-12). The district holds a 3-star rating and ranks in the 65th percentile statewide, though performance varies significantly by school level.
Latta Middle is the district’s standout, ranking in the 60th percentile among South Carolina middle schools and showing consistent 3-star ratings for three straight years. Its math program is a clear strength—every grade level exceeds state averages, and 8th graders taking Algebra 1 achieved 91.43% proficiency, dramatically outpacing both the state (73.95%) and the district’s own high school (47.61%). In contrast, Latta High has declined sharply from the 65th to the 41st percentile over two years, dropping from 3 stars to 2 stars. While its graduation rate (87.5%) and English 2 proficiency (82.36%) remain solid, English 1 proficiency is critically low at 48.54%, and Algebra 1 results suggest a major transition problem from middle school math. Latta Elementary shows a troubling pattern of declining performance as students advance: 3rd graders beat state averages in both ELA and math, but by 5th grade they fall significantly behind (math: 39.8% vs. 49.1%).
Chronic absenteeism is below the state average across all schools, though Latta High’s rate (20.2%) approaches the state’s 22.3% and may be contributing to its decline. A notable spending paradox exists: Latta Elementary spends $13,812 per student—62% more than Latta Middle’s $8,512—yet shows the weakest relative performance. The district’s hidden strength is U.S. History, where Latta High remains competitive with the state. For parents, the key takeaway is that Latta Middle offers excellent math preparation, but the high school’s rapid decline and the elementary school’s grade-level slide warrant close attention.
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