Summary:
The city of Barnwell, South Carolina is home to two middle schools: Barnwell Elementary and Guinyard-Butler Middle. Both schools serve students in grades 5-8 and are part of the Barnwell 45 school district. However, the data indicates that these schools are struggling, with consistently low test scores and high-poverty student populations.
Neither Barnwell Elementary nor Guinyard-Butler Middle appear to be standout performers, as both schools have proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Math that are significantly below the state averages across all grade levels. Guinyard-Butler Middle does show a high proficiency rate in Algebra 1/Mathematics for the Technologies 2 End-of-Course exam, suggesting some success in preparing students for advanced math courses. However, the school's overall academic performance, as reflected in its declining statewide ranking, remains a concern.
Both schools serve a high-poverty student population, with 100% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. This socioeconomic factor likely contributes to the schools' academic challenges. Additionally, the schools have limited resources, spending around $14,000 per student and maintaining student-teacher ratios of 15:1 and 16.6:1. Addressing the root causes of these challenges, such as providing targeted interventions, professional development for teachers, and additional support for students, will be crucial for improving educational outcomes in these Barnwell middle schools.
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