Newberry High

Newberry High serves approximately 837 students in grades 9-12 in Newberry, SC, as part of the Newberry 01 school district, and has seen its statewide ranking fall to the 9th percentile in 2025-2026.

Newberry High is currently rated 0 stars, a significant drop from its 2-star rating just three years ago. The most striking concern is the wide gap in test proficiency compared to nearby schools. For example, in English 1, only about 36% of Newberry High students are proficient, while Spring Hill High and Chapin High in the Lexington 05 district see proficiency rates above 82%. Even within its own district, the contrast is stark: Mid-Carolina High and Whitmire Community School (High) both rank in the top 30% of the state with 4-star ratings, while Newberry High sits in the bottom 10%. This decline is broad-based, affecting nearly all student groups, with particularly sharp drops for Hispanic students and those from low-income families. The school spends about $14,242 per student—more than higher-performing schools like Spring Hill and Chapin—which suggests that funding alone isn't the issue.

There are some bright spots to build on. Newberry High consistently outperforms the state average in Algebra 1, with about 71% proficiency over the past three years. The graduation rate has also improved to 85.5%, and the dropout rate has fallen to 1.7%, below the state average. Chronic absenteeism has dropped from 27.7% to 19.6%, showing that efforts to keep students engaged may be working. However, the school still faces serious challenges, especially for students with disabilities, who rank in the bottom 1% statewide. The success of other schools in the same district proves improvement is possible, and Newberry High's strengths in math and student retention offer a foundation for future progress.