Summary
Blacksburg High in Blacksburg, SC, is a small high school serving about 482 students in grades 9-12 within the Cherokee 01 district, and it has recently become one of the most improved schools in the state.
This school has been on a remarkable upward trajectory. Just a few years ago, it ranked in the bottom 20% of South Carolina high schools, but it has since climbed to the 61st percentile, earning a solid 3-star rating. This improvement is especially notable given that roughly three-quarters of its students come from low-income households. In fact, the school now ranks in the 72nd percentile specifically for its performance with these students, a dramatic turnaround. It also stands out within its own district: Gaffney High, the other high school in the same district, ranks in the bottom 11% of schools. Blacksburg High's graduation rate of 91% far exceeds Gaffney's 79.6%, and its dropout rate is less than half the district average. The school also achieves these results with a much smaller student-teacher ratio (13.3:1) and significantly lower per-student spending than nearby schools like York Comprehensive High or Clover High.
While the overall news is positive, there are important challenges. Chronic absenteeism remains a serious concern, with over a third of students missing significant school days—a rate much higher than the state average. Additionally, while the school excels with many student groups, its highest-achieving students (those in Gifted and Talented programs) are currently underperforming compared to their peers statewide, and math proficiency, while improving, still trails the state average. The school's English scores, however, are a clear strength, nearly matching or exceeding state averages. For parents, this is a school that is clearly heading in the right direction and doing impressive work with its students, but one where attendance and support for advanced learners are areas to watch.
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