Summary:
Zip code 29671 in Pickens, South Carolina, is home to three public elementary schools—Hagood Elementary, Pickens Elementary, and Ambler Elementary—all serving grades PK-5 within the Pickens 01 district, which ranks in the top quarter of South Carolina districts.
Ambler Elementary is the clear standout, ranking in the 89th percentile statewide and outperforming its local peers by 15-30 percentage points in nearly every subject and grade. For example, 4th grade math proficiency at Ambler is 77.3%, compared to 53.0% at Pickens Elementary and just 45.0% at Hagood Elementary. Ambler also has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (13.6%) and consistent scores across all grades, suggesting a strong, well-implemented instructional program. Pickens Elementary is the steady middle performer, hovering around the 50th-62nd percentile with moderate proficiency rates and a slightly higher absenteeism rate of 21.8%. Hagood Elementary, the largest school, is the most concerning: its state ranking has dropped 118 positions over two years to the 47th percentile, and its math proficiency falls sharply from 58.3% in 3rd grade to 35.3% in 5th grade.
Notably, spending per student does not predict success—Pickens Elementary spends the most ($13,291) with the smallest class sizes, yet Ambler Elementary achieves far better results with mid-range spending ($12,835). Chronic absenteeism appears to be a more actionable factor, as the school with the lowest absenteeism rate has the highest achievement. For parents, Ambler Elementary is the top choice in this area, while Hagood Elementary may warrant closer attention given its declining trends and widening achievement gaps.
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