Best Public Schools in Zip Code 29642

Zip code 29642 in the Easley, South Carolina area contains 5 schools—4 elementary schools and 1 high school—serving approximately 4,502 students across two different districts, Pickens 01 and Anderson 01, with no middle schools located within the zip code itself.

For families prioritizing elementary education, Hunt Meadows Elementary stands out as the clear academic leader, ranking 95th in the state with the best test scores across nearly every subject and grade level, including an impressive 83.1% 5th grade ELA proficiency and the lowest chronic absenteeism in the area at just 9.9%. Forest Acres Elementary is a strong consistent performer with excellent ELA scores (80.4% in 4th grade) and a 4-star rating, though its math scores show some year-over-year volatility. Concrete Primary excels in early education with a 10.7% chronic absenteeism rate, nearly half the state average. However, West End Elementary is the area of concern, ranking lowest with a critical weakness in 5th grade math at just 31.3% proficiency—a dramatic 39.8-point drop from its 3rd grade math scores—despite spending the most per student at $11,465.

At the high school level, Easley High maintains a strong 90.5% graduation rate and exceptional English 2 proficiency at 89.01%, but its 34.4% chronic absenteeism rate is a significant red flag—3.5 times higher than Hunt Meadows and well above the state average. The district divide is striking: the two Anderson 01 schools consistently outperform their Pickens 01 counterparts, reflecting Anderson 01's 3rd-place state ranking versus Pickens 01's 17th-place ranking. Notably, spending does not correlate with performance, as West End spends the most yet performs the lowest, while Concrete Primary spends the least and achieves excellent attendance outcomes. Families should also note the middle school gap—all elementary students must leave the zip code for grades 6-8—and monitor attendance closely at Easley High despite its strong graduation metrics.