Summary:
Zip code 29016, encompassing the Blythewood area of South Carolina, is served by two public high schools, Blythewood High and Westwood High, both part of the Richland 02 school district, which ranks in the middle tier of districts statewide.
For parents, the most important takeaway is that these two schools offer very different experiences despite being in the same district. Blythewood High is the clear standout, with a much higher state ranking (85th vs. 160th), a stellar 93.9% graduation rate, and a low 14.5% chronic absenteeism rate. It also outperforms Westwood High in nearly every subject, particularly in U.S. History (74% vs. 51% proficiency) and English 1 (66% vs. 47%). In contrast, Westwood High struggles with an 82.3% graduation rate and a chronic absenteeism rate of 28.7%—nearly double the state average. Interestingly, Westwood actually spends more per student ($13,394 vs. $12,801), yet sees worse outcomes, suggesting that resource efficiency and student engagement matter more than raw spending.
Both schools share some common ground. They both excel in English 2, with proficiency rates above the state average, indicating strong advanced literacy programs. However, both saw a notable decline in Algebra 1 proficiency between the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, with Blythewood High dropping from 65.8% to 54.8%. Additionally, while Blythewood High remains the top choice, its state ranking has slipped over three years (from 51st to 85th), while Westwood High has stayed stagnant. For families, Blythewood High is the stronger academic option, but Westwood High may need additional support to improve student attendance and graduation outcomes.
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