Summary:
Zip code 29067, encompassing the Kershaw, SC area, is home to two public high schools—North Central High and Andrew Jackson High—that together serve roughly 1,120 students in grades 9-12, with each school operating under a different district: Kershaw 01 and Lancaster 01, respectively.
For parents comparing the two, Andrew Jackson High is the stronger overall performer. It ranks 66th in the state (4 stars) versus North Central High's 86th place (3 stars), and it boasts a higher graduation rate (85.3% vs. 79.7%), a lower dropout rate (1.3% vs. 2.0%), and better Algebra 1 proficiency (69.79% vs. 57.93%). Andrew Jackson also enjoys a more favorable student-teacher ratio (11.4:1 vs. 14.8:1) and spends slightly more per student ($15,668 vs. $14,932). However, the picture is not one-sided. North Central High actually outperforms Andrew Jackson in English 2 (85.81% vs. 84.31%) and U.S. History (73.5% vs. 63.08%), showing clear strengths in humanities subjects. Both schools struggle with chronic absenteeism—North Central at 32.5% and Andrew Jackson at 26.2%, both well above the state average of 22.3%—which is a key concern for families.
Encouragingly, both schools are on upward trajectories in their state rankings, with North Central improving 58 positions and Andrew Jackson 35 positions since 2023-2024. North Central's path has been more volatile, including a significant dip in 2023-2024 before rebounding, while Andrew Jackson has shown steady, consistent improvement. Math remains a shared weakness, with both schools falling below the state average in Algebra 1, though Andrew Jackson is closer to the mark. Ultimately, families in 29067 have two viable options: Andrew Jackson offers more consistent academics and better graduation outcomes, while North Central demonstrates notable strengths in social studies and English, albeit with more variability and higher absenteeism challenges.
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