Best Public Schools in Zip Code 29554

Zip code 29554 in Hemingway, SC, is served by 6 public schools—2 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools—spanning grades PK-12 across the Georgetown 01 and Williamsburg 01 districts, with a total enrollment of 1,548 students.

For parents, the most striking story is the divide between the two districts. The Carvers Bay Early College and Career High stands out as the area's most reliable performer, with an 88.8% graduation rate (above the state's 86.7%) and a remarkably low 0.3% dropout rate. In contrast, Hemingway High presents a paradox: it has the highest chronic absenteeism in the area (52.8%—more than half of students) yet posts the strongest test scores, including an 84.77% Algebra 1 proficiency rate that beats the state average by nearly 11 points. This suggests that when Hemingway High students do attend, they perform well, but attendance is a critical barrier. At the middle school level, Carvers Bay Middle STEAM Academy is the weakest link, ranking in the 9th percentile statewide with math proficiency around 20%—roughly half the state average. Meanwhile, Hemingway MB Lee Middle offers the most personalized environment with a 10:1 student-teacher ratio, though it still struggles academically.

At the elementary level, Pleasant Hill Elementary STREAM Academy is the clear standout, with exceptional 4th grade results (86.9% ELA and 76.3% math proficiency) that far exceed district and state averages. However, Hemingway Elementary lags behind, with chronic absenteeism at 41% and math proficiency that drops dramatically between grade levels. Across all schools, math is a systemic weakness, and year-over-year test scores swing wildly, indicating instability. The good news is that all schools maintain favorable student-teacher ratios (10.0-14.1:1), and per-student spending is relatively high—ranging from $18,559 at Carvers Bay Middle to $24,748 at Hemingway High—though spending alone doesn't guarantee results, as evidenced by Hemingway MB Lee Middle's struggles despite above-average funding.