Summary:
The Kershaw 01 school district in South Carolina serves approximately 3,458 high school students across three schools—Lugoff-Elgin High, Camden High, and North Central High—spanning grades 9-12 in a mix of suburban and rural communities.
Lugoff-Elgin High is the clear academic leader, ranking 75th in the state (69th percentile) with a 4-star rating, and it outperforms both district and state averages in nearly every subject—especially English 2, where 88.8% of students are proficient. North Central High is the most improved, jumping 58 spots in state ranking over two years, and it excels in U.S. History with a 73.5% proficiency rate, the highest in the district. However, Camden High lags behind, ranking 142nd (42nd percentile) and scoring below state averages in most subjects, including a concerning 53.1% proficiency in Algebra 1—more than 11 points below the state average.
Notable challenges affect all three schools. Chronic absenteeism is a serious issue at North Central High, where 32.5% of students are chronically absent—far above the state average of 22.3%—even as its test scores improve. Graduation rates also trail the state average of 86.7%, with North Central High lowest at 79.7%. Interestingly, North Central High spends the most per student ($14,932) and has the best student-teacher ratio (14.8:1), yet Lugoff-Elgin High achieves better outcomes while spending 41% less per student. Algebra 1 is a district-wide weakness, with all schools falling below the state proficiency rate of 64.6%. English 2 is a universal strength, with all three schools exceeding the state average, suggesting solid literacy programs. Parents should weigh these trade-offs carefully: Lugoff-Elgin High offers the strongest overall academics, while North Central High shows promise but struggles with attendance and graduation, and Camden High needs targeted support in math and ranking recovery.
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