Summary:
Zip code 29687 in Taylors, South Carolina, is served by two high schools—Eastside High and Greer Middle College Charter High—which together educate roughly 2,025 students in grades 9-12 through two very different educational models.
For families weighing their options, the choice comes down to a large traditional school versus a small, elite charter. Greer Middle College Charter High is the standout academic performer, ranking 7th in the state (97th percentile) with a 5-star rating. It posts a perfect 100% proficiency rate on the English 2 exam, a 0% dropout rate, and a 96.9% graduation rate—all while spending about $1,900 less per student than its counterpart. Its chronic absenteeism rate of just 6.5% is remarkably low. In contrast, Eastside High is a solid, stable choice, ranking 49th in the state (80th percentile) with a 4-star rating. It graduates 95.1% of its students and excels in English and U.S. History, but its 25.5% chronic absenteeism rate is nearly four times higher than the charter's, and its Algebra 1 proficiency dropped sharply from 81.5% to 64.3% in one year—a clear area for concern.
Both schools outperform their respective districts, though the gap is far wider for the charter. Greer Middle College Charter High graduates students at a 96.9% rate versus its district's 77.4%, while Eastside High (95.1%) beats its Greenville 01 district average of 90.6%. The charter's "middle college" model—allowing students to take college courses—appears to drive exceptional engagement and results, while Eastside offers a more comprehensive traditional experience. Ultimately, Taylors families have access to two high-quality schools that both exceed state averages, with the main trade-off being size, structure, and academic intensity.
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