Macedonia Elementary-Middle

Macedonia Elementary-Middle in Blackville, SC, is a small PK-8 school serving 349 students in the Barnwell district, and it currently ranks among the lowest-performing schools in the state.

For parents, the most important thing to know is that test scores here are significantly below both district and state averages in every subject and grade level. In English Language Arts, proficiency rates range from 20% in 5th grade to 36.7% in 4th grade, compared to state averages of 56-65%. The math scores are even more concerning, with proficiency rates ranging from 0% in 5th grade to 23.4% in 4th grade, versus state averages of 41-59%. The 0% proficiency rate in 5th grade math is particularly alarming—not a single student scored proficient on the state assessment. Science scores also lag far behind, with proficiency rates of 16.7% in 4th grade and 8.3% in 6th grade, compared to state averages above 51%. The school's PK-8 structure is unique in the area, meaning it must address both elementary and middle school needs, which may spread resources thin.

When comparing to nearby schools, the differences are stark. Kelly Edwards Elementary, just 8 miles away in the same district, achieves 67.5% proficiency in 5th grade ELA and 51.2% in 5th grade math—a 51-point gap in math. Richard Carroll Elementary in Bamberg County more than doubles Macedonia's 3rd grade scores, with 70.2% ELA and 49.4% math proficiency. Even Denmark-Olar Elementary, serving a similar rural demographic, outperforms Macedonia in most subjects. The consistent underperformance across all grades and subjects suggests that systemic, school-wide reform is needed. While the school faces significant challenges, the success of nearby schools in similar contexts shows that better outcomes are possible with the right instructional strategies and support.