Summary:
Zip code 29369 in Moore, South Carolina, serves approximately 2,199 students across three schools—two elementary schools and one middle school—with no high school options available within the immediate area, requiring families to look outside the zip code for grades 9-12.
Families in this area encounter a distinct split between two districts. River Ridge Elementary belongs to Spartanburg 05, a top-tier district ranked in the 84th percentile, while Anderson Mill Elementary and R. P. Dawkins Middle fall under Spartanburg 06, which ranks in the 36th percentile. Despite this district disparity, both elementary schools perform similarly well. River Ridge is the standout, earning a 4-star rating and climbing from the 50th to the 86th percentile in just two years, with strong proficiency rates in 3rd grade math (84.5%) and ELA (84.4%). Anderson Mill also holds a 4-star rating and ranks in the 78th percentile, notably outperforming its district peers—for example, 78% of its 4th graders are proficient in math versus 47.6% district-wide. The middle school, however, represents a significant drop-off. R. P. Dawkins has a 3-star rating, ranks in the 50th percentile, and has declined from the 64th percentile in the prior year. Its proficiency rates fall to 36-57% in math and ELA, and its chronic absenteeism rate of 22.7% exceeds the state average.
Key takeaways for parents include a notable elementary-to-middle school performance decline, which may warrant extra attention during that transition. Science proficiency is a consistent weakness across all three schools, even at high-performing River Ridge. Interestingly, spending does not predict success—Anderson Mill spends the most per student ($13,870) yet trails River Ridge, which spends $843 less. On a positive note, R. P. Dawkins reports a 100% proficiency rate on the Algebra 1 End-of-Course exam, though this likely reflects a select group of advanced students. Overall, the elementary options in this zip code are strong, but families should carefully consider middle school choices and possibly explore schools outside the area for grades 9-12.
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