Summary
Barnwell Elementary in Barnwell, SC, is a unique school serving 425 students in grades 4 through 6, functioning as a middle school within the Barnwell district. Despite the district holding a 1-star rating, this school stands out as a relative bright spot, particularly in English Language Arts, and has made remarkable progress in getting students to show up every day.
One of the most encouraging stories here is attendance. After a spike to 18.4% chronic absenteeism in 2022-2023, the rate plummeted to just 8.7% in 2023-2024—far better than the district (20.6%) and state (22.5%) averages. That improvement coincides with increased per-student spending, which has nearly doubled to over $13,700, and a steady climb in ELA proficiency. In the most recent school year, 4th, 5th, and 6th graders posted ELA scores of 58.1%, 53.7%, and 55%, respectively—well above district averages and approaching state levels. When compared to nearby schools, Barnwell's 6th-grade ELA (55%) significantly outpaces Guinyard-Butler Middle's 7th and 8th-grade scores (41.8% and 46.5%), and it also beats Williston-Elko Middle's 6th-grade ELA (36.2%).
However, math remains a clear challenge. Proficiency rates are 10-20 percentage points behind the state average across all grades, with only 28.4% of 5th graders proficient compared to 53.7% in ELA. There's also a slight dip in performance from 4th to 5th grade before a recovery in 6th, suggesting the transition into this middle-school environment may need extra support. Still, the overall trajectory is positive. Barnwell outperforms its district in all eight reported test categories, and its 6th-grade math (31.5%) beats Williston-Elko Middle's 27.5%. While the school lags the state in most subjects, its consistent improvement in ELA and attendance makes it a promising option for families in the area.
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