Is Lee Central High a good school?

Lee Central High ranks in the bottom 8.1% of South Carolina high schools.

How many students attend Lee Central High?

In the 2023-24 school year, 417 students attended Lee Central High.

What is the racial makeup of Lee Central High?

Students at Lee Central High are 92% African American, 5% White, 2% Hispanic.

What schools feed into Lee Central High?

Lee Central High is fed by the following schools: Elementary : Dennis Elementary Elementary : Lower Lee Elementary Elementary : West Lee Elementary Middle : Lee Central Middle

Lee Central High

Summary:

Lee Central High is a public high school located in Bishopville, South Carolina, serving around 450 students in grades 9-12, with a predominantly African American student body of over 92%. The school is part of the Lee 01 school district, which is ranked 73rd out of 75 districts in the state and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Lee Central High consistently ranks among the lowest-performing high schools in South Carolina, with statewide rankings between 190 and 227 out of around 210-235 high schools over the past decade. The school's performance on end-of-course exams (EOCEPs) is significantly below the state average, with proficiency rates ranging from 11% to 75% across different subjects and years, compared to the state averages of 58% to 86%. This low academic performance is likely exacerbated by the school's 100% free and reduced-price lunch rate, indicating that all students come from low-income households. In contrast, nearby schools like McBee High and Hartsville High have more diverse student populations and better academic outcomes.

Despite the higher per-student spending at Lee Central High compared to the state average, the school's persistent challenges suggest that additional resources and targeted interventions may be needed to address the root causes of its underperformance. Exploring best practices from the higher-performing nearby schools, such as School Governor's School for Science and Mathematics and Crestwood High, could provide valuable insights to help improve student outcomes at Lee Central High and address the broader socioeconomic disparities in the region.

Detail:

Public 9-12

1800 Wisacky Highway
Bishopville, SC 29010

(803) 428-4010

District: Lee 01

SchoolDigger Rank:
216^th of 235 South Carolina High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $15,273

Feeder schools for Lee Central High:

Elementary:	Dennis Elementary
	Lower Lee Elementary
	West Lee Elementary
Middle:	Lee Central Middle

Student/teacher ratio: 7.3

Number of students: 417

Racial breakdown:

African American:

92.1%

White:

5.0%

Hispanic:

1.9%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 100%

See top rated South Carolina high schools

Compare Lee Central High to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Lee Central High ranks worse than 91.9% of high schools in South Carolina. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 9.86. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Lee Central High who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (92.1%), White (5%), Hispanic (1.9%). (See more...)

Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Lee Central High is 7.3. (See more...)

Compare Lee Central High employs 57 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Lee Central High is $15,273.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Lee Central High:

SchoolDigger ranks Lee Central High 216^th of 235 South Carolina public high schools. (See Lee Central High in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

African American students:

Lee 01:

SchoolDigger ranks Lee 01 73^rd of 75 South Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Lee Central High

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Rank History for all students at Lee Central High

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	SC State Percentile
2005	17.50	178^th	187	4.8%
2006	25.96	176^th	191	7.9%
2007	21.52	182^nd	191	4.7%
2008	16.38	167^th	185	9.7%
2009	15.33	172^nd	188	8.5%
2010	12.46	182^nd	199	8.5%
2011	12.96	179^th	199	10.1%
2012	4.52	195^th	202	3.5%
2013	2.68	199^th	203	2.0%
2014	13.77	190^th	210	9.5%
2015	7.28	227^th	232	2.2%
2016	7.05	225^th	231	2.6%
2017	3.91	218^th	223	2.2%
2018	4.61	208^th	216	3.7%
2019	6.94	215^th	225	4.4%
2021	2.67	225^th	227	0.9%
2022	4.75	221^st	226	2.2%
2023	10.60	214^th	237	9.7%
2024	9.86	216^th	235	8.1%

See the entire list of South Carolina High School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Lee Central High

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	SC State Percentile
2018	6.78	209^th	214	2.3%
2019	9.12	207^th	217	4.6%
2021	4.95	211^th	213	0.9%
2022	5.51	219^th	220	0.5%
2023	15.98	197^th	226	12.8%
2024	13.61	209^th	229	8.7%

See the entire list of Best South Carolina High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Lee Central High

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	SC State Percentile
2018	7.29	195^th	210	7.1%
2019	7.64	201^st	213	5.6%
2021	2.97	213^th	213	0.0%
2022	3.09	218^th	220	0.9%
2023	9.71	206^th	223	7.6%
2024	4.50	221^st	225	1.8%

See the entire list of Best South Carolina High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Lee Central High

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	SC State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2018	6.14	135^th	137	1.5%
2019	18.28	123^rd	143	14.0%

See the entire list of Best South Carolina High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Lee Central High

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	SC State Percentile
2018	2.43	211^th	213	0.9%
2019	5.19	212^th	218	2.8%
2021	2.46	215^th	215	0.0%
2022	8.69	209^th	224	6.7%
2023	9.05	214^th	229	6.6%
2024	20.90	182^nd	228	20.2%

See the entire list of Best South Carolina High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Lee Central High

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	SC State Percentile
2018	16.09	167^th	183	8.7%
2019	18.60	157^th	184	14.7%
2021	8.48	176^th	178	1.1%
2022	17.55	174^th	190	8.4%
2023	25.13	157^th	199	21.1%
2024	23.38	170^th	194	12.4%

See the entire list of Best South Carolina High Schools for African American Students!

Data source: test scores: South Carolina Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Data source: South Carolina State Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Lee Central High

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
2001	50	817	0	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	869
2002	31	769	0	6	0	n/a	n/a	0	806
2003	31	769	0	6	0	n/a	n/a	0	806
2004	30	793	1	4	1	n/a	n/a	0	829
2005	25	698	0	8	0	n/a	n/a	1	732
2006	27	709	0	9	0	n/a	n/a	1	746
2007	20	728	0	9	0	n/a	n/a	0	757
2008	17	668	0	11	0	n/a	n/a	1	697
2009	11	667	1	11	0	n/a	n/a	1	691
2010	14	660	0	11	0	n/a	n/a	0	685
2011	18	605	0	7	0	0	0	0	630
2012	20	589	0	8	0	0	0	0	617
2013	27	553	0	11	1	0	2	0	594
2014	29	541	0	11	1	0	2	0	584
2015	33	594	0	9	1	0	4	0	641
2016	41	623	0	7	0	0	3	0	674
2017	30	605	0	9	0	0	3	0	647
2018	29	568	0	13	0	0	0	0	610
2019	30	523	0	13	0	0	0	0	566
2020	24	487	0	13	0	0	2	0	526
2021	19	474	0	13	0	0	5	2	513
2022	27	443	0	6	0	0	3	2	481
2023	22	415	0	10	1	0	2	0	450
2024	21	384	0	8	0	0	4	0	417

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Lee Central High

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2001	869	59.5	14.6	69.7
2002	806	57.0	14.1	63.3
2003	806	57.0	14.1	63.3
2004	829	50.0	16.6	65.3
2005	732	46.0	15.9	76.7
2006	746	44.0	17.0	91.3
2007	757	69.0	11.0	86.1
2008	697	53.0	13.2	86.4
2009	691	40.0	17.3	77.8
2010	685	33.0	20.7	79.4
2011	630	37.0	17.0	87.6
2012	617	32.0	19.2	75.7
2013	594	31.0	19.1	80
2014	584	31.0	18.8	82
2015	641	39.0	16.4	81.4
2016	674	37.0	18.2	97.3
2017	647	35.0	18.4	100
2018	610	34.0	17.9	100
2019	566	24.0	23.5	100
2020	526	24.5	21.4	100
2021	513	22.0	23.3	100
2022	481	43.0	11.1	100
2023	450	44.0	10.2	100
2024	417	57.0	7.3	100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Lee Central High

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2001	869	59.5	14.6	69.7
2002	806	57.0	14.1	63.3
2003	806	57.0	14.1	63.3
2004	829	50.0	16.6	65.3
2005	732	46.0	15.9	76.7
2006	746	44.0	17.0	91.3
2007	757	69.0	11.0	86.1
2008	697	53.0	13.2	86.4
2009	691	40.0	17.3	77.8
2010	685	33.0	20.7	79.4
2011	630	37.0	17.0	87.6
2012	617	32.0	19.2	75.7
2013	594	31.0	19.1	80
2014	584	31.0	18.8	82
2015	641	39.0	16.4	81.4
2016	674	37.0	18.2	97.3
2017	647	35.0	18.4	100
2018	610	34.0	17.9	100
2019	566	24.0	23.5	100
2020	526	24.5	21.4	100
2021	513	22.0	23.3	100
2022	481	43.0	11.1	100
2023	450	44.0	10.2	100
2024	417	57.0	7.3	100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Lee Central High

Year	Personnel Expenditures from Federal Funds	Non-Personnel Expenditures from Federal Funds	Total Expenditures from Federal Funds	Personnel Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Non-Personnel Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$2,605 (20.2%)	$404 (3.1%)	$3,010 (23.3%)	$7,871 (60.9%)	$2,047 (15.8%)	$9,918 (76.7%)	$12,928
2020	$3,559 (24.5%)	$473 (3.3%)	$4,032 (27.7%)	$8,267 (56.9%)	$2,243 (15.4%)	$10,510 (72.3%)	$14,541
2022	$910 (6.7%)	$981 (7.2%)	$1,891 (13.9%)	$8,172 (59.9%)	$3,586 (26.3%)	$11,757 (86.1%)	$13,649
2023	$1,168 (7.6%)	$694 (4.5%)	$1,863 (12.2%)	$10,404 (68.1%)	$3,006 (19.7%)	$13,410 (87.8%)	$15,273

Data source: South Carolina Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Lee Central High

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 215^th of 225 High schools	Ranks 214^th of 237 High schools	5.3%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
End of Course Algebra 1/Mathematics for the Technologies 2 (Lee Central High)	27.4	30.7	3.3%
End of Course Algebra 1/Mathematics for the Technologies 2 (Lee 01)	33.8	35.5	1.7%
End of Course Algebra 1/Mathematics for the Technologies 2 (South Carolina)	68.6	68.3	0.3%
End of Course Biology 1/Applied Biology 2 (Lee Central High)	50.7	39.8	10.9%
End of Course Biology 1/Applied Biology 2 (Lee 01)	50.7	39.8	10.9%
End of Course Biology 1/Applied Biology 2 (South Carolina)	67.2	59.1	8.1%
End of Course English 1 (Lee Central High)	43.8	70.9	27.1%
End of Course English 1 (Lee 01)	50.8	70.9	20.1%
End of Course English 1 (South Carolina)	78.9	84	5.1%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	566	450	20.5%
African American	523	415	20.7%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	13	10	23.1%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	30	22	26.7%
Two or More Races	0	2
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	100%	100%

Schools Near Lee Central High

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				SC READY English Language Arts (2024)			SC READY Mathematics (2024)			EOCEP Algebra 1/Mathematics for the Technologies 2 (2024)	EOCEP English 1 (2024)	EOCEP U.S. History and the Constitution (2024)	EOCEP English 2 (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	SC READY English Language Arts 6th Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 7th Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 8th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 6th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 7th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 8th Grade	EOCEP Algebra 1/Mathematics for the Technologies 2 End of Course	EOCEP English 1 End of Course	EOCEP U.S. History and the Constitution End of Course	EOCEP English 2 End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures: Total	Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Non-Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Personnel Spending from State and Local Funds	Non-Personnel from State and Local Funds	Sub-total Spending from State and Local Funds
Lee Central High	Public	9-12	1800 Wisacky Highway	Bishopville	29010	Lee County	Lee 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 428-4010	417	57	7.3	100.0%	21 (5.0%)	384 (92.1%)	8 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.0%)	9.9	216^th of 235 public high schools	8.1%		10.6	214^th of 237 public high schools	9.7%	2							29.5	42.5	27.4	75.3	$15,273	$1,168	$694	$1,863	$10,404	$3,006	$13,410
Lee High	Public	9-12	990 Wisacky Highway	Bishopville	29010	Lee County	Dept Of Correction N04	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 896-2531	6	4	1.5		1 (16.7%)	4 (66.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (16.7%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Lamar High	Public	9-12	216 North Darlington Avenue	Lamar	29069	Darlington County	Darlington 01	No	No	No	No	(843) 326-5543	247	24	10.2	100.0%	86 (34.8%)	123 (49.8%)	15 (6.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (9.3%)	22.6	181^st of 235 public high schools	23.0%		48.1	109^th of 237 public high schools	54.0%	72							61.3	40.3	43.3	79.7	$20,811	$1,865	$1,266	$3,131	$15,012	$2,667	$17,680
Hartsville High	Public, Magnet	9-12	701 Lewellyn Avenue	Hartsville	29550	Darlington County	Darlington 01	No	Yes	No	No	(843) 383-3130	1,125	80	14.0	100.0%	466 (41.4%)	463 (41.2%)	72 (6.4%)	9 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	115 (10.2%)	36.1	145^th of 235 public high schools	38.3%		39.7	135^th of 237 public high schools	43.0%	10							74.2	46.8	52.7	81.8	$14,599	$886	$1,157	$2,043	$10,916	$1,640	$12,556
Crestwood High	Public	9-12	2000 Oswego Road	Sumter	29153	Sumter County	Sumter 01	No	No	No	No	(803) 469-6200	1,117	49	23.0	100.0%	197 (17.6%)	800 (71.6%)	70 (6.3%)	5 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	43 (3.8%)	29.8	164^th of 235 public high schools	30.2%		41.4	126^th of 237 public high schools	46.8%	38							50.2	55.1	55.4	76.4	$10,656	$919	$831	$1,750	$7,656	$1,250	$8,906
School Governor's School for Science and Mathematics	Public	11-12	401 Railroad Avenue	Hartsville	29550	Darlington County	Governor's School for Science and Mathematics	No	No	No	No	(843) 383-3902	275			1.1%	136 (49.5%)	24 (8.7%)	22 (8.0%)	76 (27.6%)	2 (0.7%)	1 (0.4%)	7 (2.5%)								(n/a)									98.3
Darlington County Institute of Technology	Public	9-12	160 Pinedale Drive	Darlington	29532	Darlington County	Darlington 01	No	No	No	No	(843) 398-4796	0	18	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
McBee High	Public	6-12	264 East Pine Avenue	Mc Bee	29101	Chesterfield County	Chesterfield 01	No	No	No	No	(843) 335-8251	568	46	12.3	100.0%	394 (69.4%)	99 (17.4%)	55 (9.7%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (3.2%)	47.6	112^th of 235 public high schools	52.3%		52.7	96^th of 237 public high schools	59.5%	16	44.3	46.8	41.8	18.0	27.2	16.5	79.4	58.8	48.3	86.0	$12,474	$847	$945	$1,791	$8,780	$1,902	$10,682

Lee Central High

Lee Central High:

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Lee 01:

What do you think?

Rank History for Lee Central High

Rank History for all students at Lee Central High

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Lee Central High

Rank History for Female students at Lee Central High

Rank History for Disabled students at Lee Central High

Rank History for Male students at Lee Central High

Rank History for African American students at Lee Central High

Enrollment information for Lee Central High

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Lee Central High

Student/Teacher Ratio Lee Central High

Per Pupil Expenditures for Lee Central High

Impact of COVID-19 on Lee Central High

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Lee Central High

Lee Central High

Lee High

Lamar High

Hartsville High

Crestwood High

School Governor's School for Science and Mathematics

Darlington County Institute of Technology

McBee High

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