Summary:
Zip code 29628 is home to just one elementary school, John C. Calhoun Elementary, a small PK-5 school in Calhoun Falls, SC, serving 119 students within the Abbeville 60 district.
For parents considering this school, the most important takeaway is that it offers an exceptionally personalized learning environment. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 8.6:1 and per-student spending of $24,135—well above state averages—your child would receive a high level of individual attention and resources. The school also boasts a strong attendance culture, with a chronic absenteeism rate of just 12.4%, far better than the district (16.3%) and state (22.3%) averages. However, academic performance is inconsistent. The most recent 5th grade data shows the school outperforming both its district and state in ELA (75% vs. 60.8% and 62.5%) and math (50% vs. 43.2% and 48.1%). In contrast, 4th grade scores lag significantly, with math proficiency at just 33.3%—21 points below the state average—and ELA at 57.2% versus the state's 65.4%.
The school's state ranking has been volatile, swinging from the 67th percentile (3 stars) in 2023-2024 to the 28th percentile (1 star) in 2025-2026. This dramatic shift is likely due to the small cohort size—with only 119 students, the performance of a single class can heavily skew results. While the strong 5th grade showing suggests effective instruction at that level, the 4th grade struggles point to a possible grade-specific issue or simply a weaker cohort. Given the high spending and low class sizes, the mixed results are surprising, making this a school to watch closely. If you have a child entering 5th grade, the outlook is promising; for 4th grade, you may want to ask the school about targeted support and intervention strategies.
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