Summary:
Zip code 29625 in Anderson, South Carolina, is served by 6 public schools—3 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools—spanning two districts, Anderson 05 and Anderson 04, with a total enrollment of 5,204 students.
The academic landscape here is sharply divided by district. Pendleton High, part of the top-ranked Anderson 04 district (4th in the state), is the clear standout, boasting a 92.6% graduation rate, a 0.7% dropout rate, and test scores that beat state averages—including 63.5% proficiency in English 1 versus 40.4% at Westside High. In contrast, the five schools in Anderson 05 generally struggle. New Prospect Elementary is the most concerning, ranking in the 15th percentile statewide despite spending the most per student ($15,768), with math proficiency as low as 28.3% in 5th grade. Robert Anderson Middle also faces serious challenges, with only 26-34% of students proficient in math and a chronic absenteeism rate of 37.8%—the highest in the area. Westside High has a 79.5% graduation rate and a 5.0% dropout rate, both well below state averages.
There are bright spots, however. Centerville Elementary improved dramatically, jumping from the 25th to the 49th percentile in one year, with 5th-grade math proficiency rising from 31.7% to 55.2%. Whitehall Elementary performs near state averages in ELA but lags in math. A notable anomaly: Robert Anderson Middle reports a 98% proficiency rate in Algebra 1, likely because only advanced students take that course. Chronic absenteeism is a widespread issue, exceeding the state average at every school. For parents, the choice is clear: Pendleton High offers the strongest outcomes, while families in Anderson 05 should weigh the improving Centerville Elementary against the persistent struggles at New Prospect Elementary and Robert Anderson Middle.
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