Summary:
The city of Winnsboro, South Carolina is home to 6 schools serving students from elementary through high school, including 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 1 high school, and 1 alternative school. While the district as a whole faces challenges with low proficiency rates and achievement gaps, one school stands out as a clear standout - Fairfield Magnet for Math and Science, an elementary school that consistently ranks among the top in the state.
Fairfield Magnet for Math and Science boasts significantly higher test scores than the district and state averages, with 70.3% of 3rd graders proficient in English Language Arts compared to 41.3% for the district and 53.8% statewide. In math, 74% of 3rd graders at the school were proficient, far exceeding the 38.5% district average and 54.5% state average. This strong performance continues through the upper elementary grades as well. In contrast, many other Winnsboro schools struggle with proficiency rates 10-20 percentage points below state levels, indicating significant achievement gaps between the schools.
Beyond the standout Fairfield Magnet, the Winnsboro school district faces other challenges, including high rates of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating high levels of economic disadvantage, and relatively low spending per student. However, there are some bright spots, such as Fairfield Middle School, which has shown improvement in recent years, moving from a 1-star to a 2-star rating. Overall, addressing the disparities in performance and improving outcomes for all students should be a key priority for the Fairfield 01 and Charter Institute at Erskine districts.
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