Summary:
Middle Schools in zip code 29033 consist of a single public school, Cyril B. Busbee Creative Arts Academy, serving grades 6 through 8 with 442 students in the Lexington 02 district.
For parents considering this area, the most important takeaway is that Cyril B. Busbee Creative Arts Academy offers a unique arts-focused environment with relatively small class sizes (a 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio) and high per-student spending of $16,055. However, academic performance in core subjects lags behind state averages. In the 2025-2026 school year, 6th-grade ELA proficiency was 39.5% versus the state's 56.3%, and 6th-grade math was just 20.6% compared to 40.9% statewide. The school has consistently ranked around the 28th percentile in South Carolina and holds a 1-star rating. One bright spot is a clear upward trend in math as students advance: proficiency climbs from 20.6% in 6th grade to 29.5% in 7th and 44.1% in 8th grade, nearly matching the state average of 44.2%.
A striking anomaly is the school's 99.99% proficiency rate on the Algebra 1 EOCEP exam for 2024-2025, far exceeding the district's 60.42% and the state's 73.95%. This likely reflects a small, highly advanced group of 8th graders, contrasting with the general math scores and suggesting a two-tiered academic experience. Chronic absenteeism is a concern, with 25.9% of students missing significant school time—better than the district's 26.2% but worse than the state's 22.3%. While the school's high spending and arts designation may appeal to families seeking a creative environment, the below-average test scores and stable low ranking indicate systemic challenges that parents should weigh carefully against the school's unique offerings.
Thank you for your feedback!