Best High Schools in Zip Code 29334

Zip code 29334, encompassing the Duncan, South Carolina area, is served by a single public high school, James F. Byrnes High, which educates students in grades 9 through 12 and is part of the highly regarded Spartanburg 05 district.

For parents, the most important takeaway is that James F. Byrnes High is a large school (2,391 students) with a solid overall reputation, consistently earning a 3-star rating and ranking in the 60th-64th percentile statewide over the past three years. Its graduation rate of 91.2% is a clear strength, matching the district and exceeding the state average of 86.7%. The school also performs well in English, with proficiency rates in English 2 (around 82-83%) that beat the state average. However, there are significant challenges. The most glaring issue is mathematics: Algebra 1 proficiency has been volatile and far below both district and state averages, though it showed dramatic improvement from 14.7% to 45.8% in the most recent year. Additionally, chronic absenteeism is a red flag at 23.1%, higher than both the district (19.1%) and state (22.3%) rates, which likely impacts academic performance. With a student-teacher ratio of 19.1:1 and per-student spending of $11,324, the school has moderate resources that may not be sufficient to address these issues fully.

Compared to its district, James F. Byrnes High consistently underperforms in nearly every academic metric, particularly in Algebra 1 where the gap has been as large as 60 percentage points. The only area where it matches the district is the graduation rate. This suggests that while the school is a solid choice for students strong in literacy, those needing extra support in math may face challenges. The recent improvement in Algebra 1 is a promising sign that interventions are working, but the school still trails the state by nearly 19 points. Overall, parents should view this as a mid-tier school with a strong graduation record and notable English programs, but should be aware of the math struggles and attendance issues that could affect student success.