Summary:
Zip code 29138 in Saluda, South Carolina, is served by five schools in the Saluda 01 district, enrolling approximately 2,525 students across elementary, middle, and high school grades. The district overall ranks in the bottom quarter of South Carolina districts, but individual schools vary dramatically in performance.
The standout success is Hollywood Elementary, which earned 3 stars and ranks in the 59th percentile statewide—a remarkable achievement given the district's 1-star rating. Its 4th-grade English proficiency (71%) is nearly 30 points higher than Saluda Elementary's (42.1%), despite serving similar populations. Saluda Elementary is the district's most concerning trend, having fallen from the 14th to the 4th percentile in just two years, now earning 0 stars. Saluda Middle shows a notable bright spot with 100% proficiency on the Algebra 1 exam, though this likely reflects a small, select group of test-takers given its 6th-grade math proficiency is just 20.5%. Saluda High posts a strong 92.8% graduation rate—well above the state average—despite test scores that lag state benchmarks.
Mathematics is a district-wide weakness, with proficiency gaps of 15-36 points below state averages in most grades. However, chronic absenteeism is a clear strength: every school is below the state average of 22.3%, with Saluda Middle leading at 15.1%. Per-student spending ranges from $11,070 at Saluda Middle to $13,545 at Hollywood Elementary, but higher spending doesn't guarantee better outcomes. The district's challenge is replicating Hollywood Elementary's success while urgently addressing Saluda Elementary's rapid decline. Notably, Saluda Primary (PK-2) has no test data available, leaving early learning outcomes unmeasured.
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