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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Cherokee County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 7,376 students in Cherokee County, SC (there are 1 private school, serving 91 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Cherokee County, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Cherokee County, SC are Gaffney High School, Blacksburg High School and Corinth Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Cherokee County, SC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Cherokee County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public school average of 54% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Cherokee County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Gaffney High School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
149 Twin Lake Road
Gaffney, SC 29341
(864) 206-2000
Gr: 9-12 | 1,827 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #22.
Blacksburg High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
201 West Ramseur Drive
Blacksburg, SC 29702
(864) 206-2378
Gr: 9-12 | 482 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #33.
Corinth Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
128 Corinth Road
Gaffney, SC 29340
(864) 206-6600
Gr: PK-5 | 292 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #44.
Northwest Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
840 Green River Road
Gaffney, SC 29341
(864) 206-6727
Gr: PK-5 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #55.
Grassy Pond Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1146 Boiling Springs Highway
Gaffney, SC 29341
(864) 206-6671
Gr: PK-5 | 519 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #66.
Cherokee Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3206 Cherokee Avenue
Gaffney, SC 29340
(864) 489-7198
Gr: PK-9 | 633 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #77.
Draytonville Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2373 Wilkinsville Highway
Gaffney, SC 29340
(864) 206-6783
Gr: PK-5 | 264 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #88.
Blacksburg Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
402 Hardin Street
Blacksburg, SC 29702
(864) 206-6518
Gr: 3-5 | 323 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #99.
Gaffney Middle School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
805 East Frederick Street
Gaffney, SC 29340
(864) 206-6129
Gr: 6-8 | 851 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1010.
Blacksburg Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
101 London Street
Blacksburg, SC 29702
(864) 206-6829
Gr: 6-8 | 363 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1111.
Limestone-central Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
727 Pacolet Highway
Gaffney, SC 29341
(864) 206-6620
Gr: PK-5 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1212.
John E. Ewing Middle School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
171 East Junior High Road
Gaffney, SC 29340
(864) 206-2449
Gr: 6-8 | 380 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #1313.
Luther L. Vaughan Elementary School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
192 Vaughan Road
Gaffney, SC 29341
(864) 206-6054
Gr: PK-5 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #1414.
B. D. Lee Elementary School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
401 Overbrook Drive
Gaffney, SC 29341
(864) 206-6432
Gr: PK-5 | 603 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: n/an/a
Blacksburg Primary
1010 East Cherokee Street
Blacksburg, SC 29702
(864) 206-6936
Gr: PK-2 | 363 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: n/an/a
Institute Of Innovation
Vocational School
175 Campus Drive
Gaffney, SC 29341
(864) 206-2576
Gr: 9-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Cherokee County, SC?
The top-ranked public schools in Cherokee County, SC include Gaffney High School, Blacksburg High School and Corinth Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Cherokee County?
15 public schools are located in Cherokee County.
What percentage of students in Cherokee County go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Cherokee County are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Cherokee County?
Cherokee County public schools minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Cherokee County are often viewed compared to one another?

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