Summary
Cross High is a small public school in rural Cross, SC, serving 273 students in grades 7 through 12 as part of the Berkeley 01 school district. The school has shown remarkable progress over the past five years, climbing from the 11th percentile statewide in 2020-2021 to the 48th percentile in 2025-2026—a jump of 73 positions that signals a positive trajectory for this tight-knit community school.
One of the school's standout strengths is its exceptional performance in Algebra 1, where 84% of students scored proficient in 2024-2025, outpacing both the district (65.63%) and state (73.95%) averages. Cross High also invests heavily in its students, spending $23,136 per pupil—nearly double what larger nearby schools like Cane Bay High ($12,494) and Berkeley High ($12,313) spend—while maintaining a low 9.4:1 student-to-teacher ratio. The school also outperforms Timberland High, a nearby rural school in the same district, across most end-of-course exams, including English 1 (55.77% vs. 36.21%) and U.S. History (51.02% vs. 37.43%).
However, parents should be aware of some challenges. Chronic absenteeism sits at 33.9%, well above the district (23.9%) and state (22.3%) averages, and the dropout rate of 3.2% is higher than both the district (1.3%) and state (2.1%). The middle school grades (7th and 8th) show significant struggles in mathematics, with proficiency rates ranging from just 6.6% to 23.7%. There's also a notable gender gap, with male students ranking at the 52nd percentile while female students rank at the 27th percentile. On a positive note, the graduation rate improved to 87.3% in 2023-2024, exceeding the state average, before settling at 84.9% in 2024-2025. While the school's overall outcomes remain below district averages in some subjects, its strong Algebra program, dedicated resources, and steady improvement make it a school worth watching.
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