Summary:
Zip code 29033 in Cayce, South Carolina, is served by three public schools—Brookland-Cayce High, Cayce Elementary, and Cyril B. Busbee Creative Arts Academy—all part of the Lexington 02 district, which ranks in the bottom third of South Carolina districts. These schools serve a combined 2,631 students and face significant challenges, particularly in math proficiency and chronic absenteeism, though there are notable bright spots in English and advanced math.
Comparing the three schools, Cyril B. Busbee Creative Arts Academy stands out for its exceptional Algebra 1 performance, with 99.99% of students scoring proficient—far above the district and state averages—though its 6th and 7th-grade math scores remain below state levels. Brookland-Cayce High shows a dramatic 32-point improvement in English 1 proficiency (now 78.45%, above the state average), but its Algebra 1 proficiency (31.42%) and graduation rate (71.9%) lag well behind state averages. Cayce Elementary is the lowest-ranked school in the area (8th percentile) with math proficiency rates roughly half the state average and the highest chronic absenteeism at 29.0%.
Chronic absenteeism is a critical issue across all three schools, with rates above the state average of 22.3%, and Brookland-Cayce High reaching 32.7%. Interestingly, the two schools with the highest per-student spending (over $16,000) are the lowest-ranked, suggesting funding alone isn't solving the academic gaps. The data reveals a cumulative struggle from elementary through high school, but English Language Arts is a clear strength that the district can build upon. For parents, this area offers a mixed picture: strong English instruction and an exceptional Algebra program at the middle school, but persistent math deficits, high absenteeism, and low graduation rates that require careful consideration.
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