For the 2025 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 8,363 students in Laurens County, SC (there are 4 private schools, serving 360 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 Thornwell Charter 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 30% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 41%), 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 53% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Laurens County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Clinton High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
18132 Highway 72 East
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-0817
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-0817
Grades: 9-12
| 760 students
Rank: #22.
Laurens District 55 High School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
5058 Highway 76 West
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 682-3151
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 682-3151
Grades: 9-12
| 1,540 students
Rank: #33.
Thornwell Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
203 West Calhoun Street
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 808-0801
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 808-0801
Grades: K-11
| 371 students
Rank: #44.
Summit Classical School
Charter School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
600 East Florida Street
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 200-0535
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 200-0535
Grades: K-7
| 80 students
Rank: #55.
Clinton Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
800 Chestnut Street
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-0812
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-0812
Grades: K-5
| 401 students
Rank: #66.
Eastside Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
103 Old Colony Road
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-0827
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-0827
Grades: K-5
| 482 students
Rank: #77.
Clinton Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
800 North Adair Street
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-0807
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-0807
Grades: 6-8
| 629 students
Rank: #88.
Joanna Woodson Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
510 South Ellis Street
Joanna, SC 29351
(864) 697-6480
Joanna, SC 29351
(864) 697-6480
Grades: K-5
| 300 students
Rank: #99.
Hickory Tavern Elementary Middle School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
163 Neely Ferry Road
Gray Court, SC 29645
(864) 575-2126
Gray Court, SC 29645
(864) 575-2126
Grades: PK-8
| 621 students
Rank: #1010.
Laurens Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
301 Henry Street
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-3067
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-3067
Grades: PK-5
| 499 students
Rank: #1111.
E. B. Morse Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
200 Parkview Drive
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-7777
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-7777
Grades: PK-5
| 432 students
Rank: #1212.
Waterloo Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
10457 Highway 221 South
Waterloo, SC 29384
(864) 677-5610
Waterloo, SC 29384
(864) 677-5610
Grades: PK-5
| 257 students
Rank: #1313.
Gray Court-owings Elementary Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
9210 Highway 14
Gray Court, SC 29645
(864) 876-2131
Gray Court, SC 29645
(864) 876-2131
Grades: PK-8
| 755 students
Rank: #1414.
Laurens Middle School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1035 West Main Street
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-2400
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-2400
Grades: 6-8
| 395 students
Rank: #1515.
Ford Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
601 Lucas Avenue
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-3986
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-3986
Grades: PK-5
| 418 students
Rank: #1616.
Sanders Middle School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
609 Green Street
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-0354
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-0354
Grades: 6-8
| 289 students
Rank: n/an/a
625 Elizabeth Street
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-0836
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-0836
Grades: PK
| 134 students
Laurens County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
9210 Hwy 14
Gray Court, SC 29645
(864) 876-2131
Gray Court, SC 29645
(864) 876-2131
Grades: PK-5
| 570 students
9210 Hwy 14
Gray Court, SC 29645
(864) 876-2171
Gray Court, SC 29645
(864) 876-2171
Grades: 6-8
| 229 students
163 Neely Ferry Rd
Gray Court, SC 29645
(864) 575-2126
Gray Court, SC 29645
(864) 575-2126
Grades: PK-5
| 435 students
163 Neely Ferry Rd
Gray Court, SC 29645
(864) 575-4301
Gray Court, SC 29645
(864) 575-4301
Grades: 6-8
| 286 students
301 North Bell Street
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-0831
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-0831
Grades: 6
| 221 students
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 Thornwell Charter 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 53% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Laurens County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Laurens County include: Clinton High School vs. Laurens District 55 High School, Laurens District 55 High School vs. Clinton High School, Gray Court-owings Elementary Middle School vs. Hickory Tavern Elementary Middle School
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