Summary:
The three elementary schools in the Spartanburg 03 district—Cowpens Elementary, Pacolet Elementary, and Cannons Elementary—serve grades PK-5 in a district ranked in the 87th percentile statewide, with all three schools exceeding state averages in most subjects.
For parents, Cannons Elementary is the standout for consistency, holding a 4-star rating for three straight years and ranking highest at 135th in the state. It also has the most favorable student-teacher ratio (12.1:1) and the highest per-student spending ($18,776), which appears to pay off in balanced, strong scores across all grades. Pacolet Elementary is the most improved, jumping 55 spots in state ranking to a 4-star rating, and it achieves results comparable to Cannons while spending nearly $2,000 less per student—a sign of efficiency. Pacolet also has the lowest chronic absenteeism (17.8%) and posts exceptional 3rd-grade scores (79% ELA, 75.8% math). Cowpens Elementary is the area of concern: it’s the only 3-star school, ranks lowest (229th), and has the highest chronic absenteeism at 24.7%, which likely drags down its otherwise decent 5th-grade performance.
Key takeaways: Pacolet’s 5th-grade math is a red flag—a 27.5-point drop from 4th grade to 48.3% proficiency, below the state average. Science scores soared district-wide, with Cannons jumping 20 points in one year. Attendance clearly tracks with achievement: Pacolet’s low absenteeism aligns with its strong results, while Cowpens’ high rate correlates with its weaker standing. If you value consistency and small classes, Cannons is the top pick; if you want a rising school with efficient spending, Pacolet is compelling; Cowpens offers the most room for growth, especially if attendance improves.
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