High Schools in Lancaster 01

The Lancaster 01 school district in South Carolina is home to four high schools serving grades 9 through 12, with a combined enrollment of roughly 4,384 students across a mix of suburban and rural communities. The district as a whole earns a 4-star rating and ranks in the 69th percentile statewide, with all four schools showing improvement in their state rankings over the past two years.

For parents, the standout choice is clearly Indian Land High, which ranks 16th in the state (93rd percentile, 5 stars) and leads the district in nearly every academic category. Its English 1 and English 2 proficiency rates are 90.47% and 93.89%, respectively, far outpacing the district averages, and it boasts the highest graduation rate at 92.8% with a low 1.2% dropout rate. Buford High and Andrew Jackson High are the two smaller, more rural schools, and both perform solidly—Buford ranks 68th with a 91.8% graduation rate, while Andrew Jackson has shown the most dramatic improvement, jumping 35 spots to 66th place. Lancaster High is the clear outlier, ranking 190th (22nd percentile, 1 star) with significantly lower test scores and a graduation rate of just 80.6%.

One of the most striking findings is the inverse relationship between spending and performance: Indian Land spends the least per student ($10,826) yet achieves the best results, while Buford spends the most ($16,220) without outperforming Indian Land. Lancaster High also struggles with a 41.9% chronic absenteeism rate—nearly double the district average—which likely drives much of its academic challenges. On a positive note, all four schools improved their rankings from 2023-2024 to 2025-2026, suggesting district-wide initiatives are working, though Lancaster High is benefiting far less than its peers. For parents, Indian Land is the clear top choice, while Buford and Andrew Jackson offer strong, consistent alternatives in smaller settings.