Summary:
Spartanburg 05 is a mid-sized South Carolina school district serving roughly 10,300 students across 14 schools—8 elementary, 4 middle, 1 high school, and 1 freshman academy—and consistently outperforms state averages in most subjects and grade levels.
For parents, the standout elementary options are Reidville Elementary and River Ridge Elementary. Reidville is the district's most consistent high performer, with 4-star ratings across all three years of data, 80.6% 5th grade ELA proficiency, and the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the district at 12.9%. River Ridge shows the most dramatic improvement, jumping from the 50th to the 86th percentile in just two years, with exceptional 3rd grade scores (84.4% ELA, 84.5% math). At the middle school level, Abner Creek Middle leads the pack at the 80th percentile statewide, while Florence Chapel Middle and D. R. Hill Middle post near-perfect Algebra 1 proficiency rates for accelerated students. On the other end, Berry Shoals Elementary ranks lowest in the district (38th percentile), with 4th grade science proficiency at just 35.8%, and Wellford Academy of Science and Technology shows inconsistent subject performance despite spending the most per student ($15,229).
Key takeaways for families: James F. Byrnes High posts a strong 91.2% graduation rate, but Algebra 1 proficiency remains a persistent challenge (45.8% in 2025-2026, well below the state's 64.6%). Meanwhile, James Byrnes Freshman Academy achieves near-perfect English 2 scores (100%), which may warrant a closer look. Chronic absenteeism strongly tracks with performance—top schools like Reidville (12.9%) and Abner Creek Academy (16.8%) have the lowest rates, while D. R. Hill Middle (26.3%) and the high school (23.1%) struggle most. Middle school math proficiency hovers around 38-60% across the district, indicating roughly half of students are not yet proficient. Overall, this is a solid district with excellent elementary options and strong acceleration programs, but families should weigh school-specific math outcomes and attendance patterns when choosing.
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