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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Laurens County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 8,363 students in Laurens County, SC (there are 4 private schools, serving 318 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Laurens County, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Laurens County, SC are Clinton High School, Laurens District 55 High School and Clinton Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Laurens County, SC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 32% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Laurens County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public school average of 54% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Laurens County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Clinton High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
18132 Highway 72 East
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-0817
Gr: 9-12 | 811 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #22.
Laurens District 55 High School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
5058 Highway 76 West
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 682-3151
Gr: 9-12 | 1,434 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #33.
Clinton Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
800 Chestnut Street
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-0812
Gr: K-5 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #44.
Eastside Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
103 Old Colony Road
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-0827
Gr: K-5 | 462 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #55.
Thornwell Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
203 West Calhoun Street
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 808-0801
Gr: K-12 | 525 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #66.
Waterloo Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
10457 Highway 221 South
Waterloo, SC 29384
(864) 677-5610
Gr: PK-5 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #77.
Joanna-woodson Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
510 South Ellis Street
Joanna, SC 29351
(864) 697-6480
Gr: K-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Clinton Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
800 North Adair Street
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-0807
Gr: 6-8 | 580 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Hickory Tavern Elementary Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
163 Neely Ferry Road
Gray Court, SC 29645
(864) 575-2126
Gr: PK-8 | 623 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1010.
Laurens Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
301 Henry Street
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-3067
Gr: PK-5 | 465 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1111.
E. B. Morse Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
200 Parkview Drive
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-7777
Gr: PK-5 | 447 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1212.
Gray Court-owings Elementary Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
9210 Highway 14
Gray Court, SC 29645
(864) 876-2131
Gr: PK-8 | 715 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1313.
Laurens Middle School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1035 West Main Street
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-2400
Gr: 6-8 | 373 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1414.
Ford Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
601 Lucas Avenue
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-3986
Gr: PK-5 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1515.
Sanders Middle School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
609 Green Street
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-0354
Gr: 6-8 | 250 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: n/an/a
M. S. Bailey Child Development Center
625 Elizabeth Street
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-0836
Gr: PK | 139 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 49%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Laurens County, SC?
The top-ranked public schools in Laurens County, SC include Clinton High School, Laurens District 55 High School and Clinton Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Laurens County?
17 public schools are located in Laurens County.
What percentage of students in Laurens County go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Laurens County are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Laurens County?
Laurens County public schools minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Laurens County are often viewed compared to one another?

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