Best Public Schools in Zip Code 29117

Zip code 29117 in Orangeburg, SC, is served by a single educational option: Felton Laboratory Charter School, a K-8 charter school within the School Public Charter School District that enrolls 279 students.

For families in this area, Felton Laboratory Charter School presents a mixed picture. The school shows a clear strength in English Language Arts, particularly in 6th grade where 72.4% of students scored proficient—well above both the district (58%) and state (56.3%) averages. However, mathematics is a significant weakness, with proficiency rates dropping from 57.1% in 3rd grade to just 24.1% in 4th grade and remaining in the low-to-mid 20s through 8th grade. This 32-point drop between 3rd and 4th grade suggests a potential curriculum transition issue. The school's overall state ranking has remained stable in the lower third of South Carolina schools (31st-33rd percentile) over three years, despite dramatic year-over-year score fluctuations that likely reflect small class sizes. Chronic absenteeism stands at 22.2%, slightly above the district average of 18.4% but nearly matching the state average.

With per-student spending of $14,208 and a student-teacher ratio of 20.8:1, the school's resources appear adequate, yet academic outcomes don't fully reflect this investment. The volatility in scores—such as 3rd grade ELA dropping 37 points in one year—makes it difficult to predict performance from year to year. Notably, the school outperforms state averages in 4th and 6th grade ELA, suggesting pockets of instructional excellence that could be replicated. As the only school in this zip code, its performance is especially consequential for local families, who have no alternative public school options within their immediate area.