Best High Schools in Zip Code 29483

Zip code 29483 in Summerville, South Carolina, is served by two public high schools—Summerville High and Cane Bay High—both covering grades 9-12 and offering distinct academic profiles for families in this growing suburban area.

For parents comparing the two, Cane Bay High is the clear academic leader. It ranks 73rd in the state (70th percentile, 4 stars) versus Summerville High's 98th place (60th percentile, 3 stars). Cane Bay also posts a higher graduation rate (91.4% vs. 89.8%), a lower dropout rate (1.2% vs. 1.5%), and lower chronic absenteeism (26.6% vs. 30.3%). It outperforms Summerville in every tested subject, including a notable edge in Algebra 1 (51.72% vs. 42.85% proficiency) and English 1 (68.10% vs. 60.93%). Cane Bay benefits from higher per-student spending ($12,494 vs. $10,700) and a better student-teacher ratio (17.6:1 vs. 19:1), which may help explain its stronger outcomes. Interestingly, Cane Bay achieves this despite being in the lower-ranked Berkeley 01 district (31st in the state), while Summerville sits in the higher-ranked Dorchester 02 district (20th).

The most pressing concern for both schools is math proficiency. Both fall well below the state average of 64.58% in Algebra 1, with Summerville's 42.85% representing a staggering 26-point drop from the prior year. Chronic absenteeism is also a systemic issue—both schools exceed the state average of 22.3%, and Summerville's 30.3% means nearly one in three students is chronically absent. On a positive note, both schools excel in English 2 proficiency (87.12% and 87.68% vs. 83.79% state average) and beat the state graduation rate. While Cane Bay High currently offers the stronger overall academic profile, both schools provide solid literacy outcomes and graduation rates above state norms, making them viable options depending on family priorities.