Best Public Schools in Zip Code 29316

Zip code 29316 in Boiling Springs, SC, is served by 5 schools in the Spartanburg 02 district—4 elementary schools (PK-5) and 1 high school (9-12), with no middle schools in the area, totaling 5,878 students.

For parents, the standout elementary option is Sugar Ridge Elementary, which leads the pack with the highest state ranking (72nd percentile), the best overall test scores—especially in 5th grade ELA (76.2% proficient) and math (63.3%)—and the lowest chronic absenteeism among elementary schools at 15.1%. Shoally Creek Elementary is the most improved, climbing from the 57th to 66th percentile over three years, with strong 4th grade ELA scores (73.9%). James H. Hendrix Elementary offers the lowest chronic absenteeism (13.1%) and highest per-student spending ($13,888), but its test scores sit mid-pack. Boiling Springs Elementary is the weakest performer, having dropped from the 74th to 48th percentile, with a notable 4th grade slump (ELA at 50.8% vs. 71.4% district average). At the high school level, Boiling Springs High is a strong anchor with a 78th percentile ranking, a 90.3% graduation rate, and exceptional U.S. History scores (82.5% vs. 62.6% state), though it spends $3,400-$4,400 less per student than the elementary schools.

The biggest red flag is the Algebra 1 collapse at the high school, plummeting from 87.3% to 36.4% proficiency in one year—now 28 points below the state average—which may signal transition challenges given the lack of local middle schools. However, the district overall is top-tier (5 stars, 91st percentile), and ELA performance is consistently strong across all grades. Chronic absenteeism is a bright spot, with all schools below the state average of 22.3%. While elementary rankings are generally declining, the district’s high rating and strong literacy instruction provide a solid foundation, though parents should watch the widening gap between Sugar Ridge and Boiling Springs Elementary.