Summary:
Zip code 29325 in Clinton, South Carolina, is served by 5 schools—2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 1 high school, and 1 K-12 charter school—enrolling roughly 2,800 students across the Laurens 56 district and the Charter Institute at Erskine.
Families in this area face a stark choice at the elementary level. Eastside Elementary is the clear standout, ranking in the 73rd percentile statewide with 4 stars and exceeding state averages in every grade for both ELA (72-76%) and math (54-64%). In contrast, Clinton Elementary has fallen to the 18th percentile (1 star), with 4th grade math proficiency at just 20.6%—roughly half the state average. The middle school years are a critical intervention point: Clinton Middle struggles in math (31-35% proficiency) while Thornwell Charter School is the only school in the area exceeding state averages in middle school math (47.7-52.5%). At the high school level, Clinton High performs below state averages in most subjects, though its English 2 proficiency (82.7%) nearly matches the state average.
Thornwell Charter stands out for its exceptional graduation rate of 93.1% and zero dropout rate, despite spending the least per student ($12,988). Meanwhile, Clinton High spends the most ($16,352) yet has a 26.3% chronic absenteeism rate and a declining state ranking. Math is the universal weakness across all schools, with proficiency lagging ELA by 20 points or more in many grades. The dramatic gap between Eastside and Clinton Elementary—both similar in size and in the same district—suggests instructional quality or school climate differences worth investigating. For parents, school choice in this zip code can dramatically impact outcomes, making it essential to compare options carefully.
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