Total enrollment
9,482
-216 (-2%) vs SY 2020-21
Darlington County
South Carolina · Public K-12
Public schools in Darlington County, South Carolina total 21, with combined enrollment of about 9,482 students against a county population of 62,558. That breaks down as 12 elementary, 3 middle, and 6 high.
4-year change in Darlington County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
20
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Darlington County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In South Carolina | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 9,482 | #21 of 44 | #849 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 20 | #18 of 44 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 13.6:1 | #19 of 44 | #1,155 of 2,655 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 63.0% | #15 of 42 | #414 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Darlington County school rankings
Residents
62,558
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
21
3 districts
Enrollment
9,482
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$48,581
Below South Carolina avg
Free/reduced lunch
·
Enrollment-weighted
Elementary
12
4,598 students
Middle
3
1,917 students
High
6
2,967 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Darlington 01
8,793 students · 3 districts in Darlington County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Darlington County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
19.9%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
17.8%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
6.7%
civilian labor
Median age
41
22.2% under 18
Test scores in Darlington County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 12 schools ranked. South Carolina state average: 59.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Carolina Elementary· 70.8%
- Butler Academy· 66.9%
- Lamar-Spaulding Elementary· 60.0%
- North Hartsville Elementary· 56.9%
- Spaulding Middle· 55.3%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Thornwell School for the Arts· 40.0%
- J. L. Cain Elementary· 43.4%
- Hartsville Middle· 47.0%
- St. John's Elementary· 47.9%
- Darlington Middle· 49.3%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartsville High | Hartsville | High | 09-12 | 1,129 | · |
| Darlington High | Darlington | High | 09-12 | 965 | · |
| Darlington Middle | Darlington | Middle | 06-08 | 888 | · |
| Hartsville Middle | Hartsville | Middle | 06-08 | 801 | · |
| St. John's Elementary | Darlington | Elementary | PK-05 | 596 | · |
| Bay Road Elementary | Hartsville | Elementary | PK-05 | 563 | · |
| J. L. Cain Elementary | Darlington | Elementary | PK-05 | 533 | · |
| Lamar-Spaulding Elementary | Lamar | Elementary | PK-05 | 496 | · |
| North Hartsville Elementary | Hartsville | Elementary | 01-05 | 486 | · |
| Pate Elementary | Darlington | Elementary | PK-02 | 397 | · |
| Butler Academy | Hartsville | Elementary | KG-08 | 393 | · |
| Southside Early Childhood Center | Hartsville | Elementary | PK-KG | 360 | · |
| Mayo High For Math Science & Technology | Darlington | High | 09-12 | 309 | · |
| Brockington Elementary | Darlington | Elementary | 03-05 | 303 | · |
| SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics | Hartsville | High | 11-12 | 296 | · |
| Lamar High | Lamar | High | 09-12 | 268 | · |
| Spaulding Middle | Lamar | Middle | 06-08 | 228 | · |
| Carolina Elementary | Hartsville | Elementary | 01-05 | 212 | · |
| Thornwell School for the Arts | Hartsville | Elementary | 01-05 | 188 | · |
| Rosenwald Elementary | Society Hill | Elementary | PK-05 | 71 | · |
| Darlington County Institute of Technology | Darlington | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Darlington County
About Darlington County
Across the mid-sized South Carolina county of Darlington County of about 62,558 residents, the public-school footprint covers 21 schools and about 9,482 students.
In context, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $48,581, roughly 20% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the federal-poverty share is near 18%. That income level is 18% meaningfully below the South Carolina median.
In terms of grade levels, Darlington County is made up of 12 elementary schools (4,598 students), 3 middle schools (1,917), and 6 high schools (2,967).
Darlington 01 is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 8,793 students across Darlington County.
Five-year track record. Total public-school enrollment in Darlington County has held roughly steady since SY 2020-21, moving from about 9,698 students to 9,482.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Darlington County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data