James Byrnes Freshman Academy

As an intimate four-year high school in Duncan, South Carolina, James Byrnes Freshman Academy caters to 792 students from grade 9, one of the schools within Spartanburg 05.

James Byrnes Freshman Academy is one of 15 schools operated by Spartanburg 05, a district that teaches 11,962 students overall.

Looking at the student body, James Byrnes Freshman Academy records that 52% of students identify as White, with the remaining enrollment distributed across several groups. Beyond that, the school records 20% Black, 16% Hispanic, 8% multiracial, 3% Asian. The wider county runs roughly 67% White, putting the school's mix noticeably less White than the area baseline.

In terms of school funding signals, On paper, James Byrnes Freshman Academy has 51 full-time-equivalent teachers, translating to a class-load average of around 15.5:1. The state averages about 15.5:1, putting this campus right in line with peers.

Around the school, census data for Spartanburg County shows median household earnings sit near $66,234, roughly 25% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 11%. James Byrnes Freshman Academy is one of 88 public schools in Spartanburg County (combined enrollment of about 58,477 students).

Duncan Elementary School of the Arts is the nearest neighboring public school, about 0.2 miles from this campus. 8 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius.

Geographically, the school is in a residential area.

Five-year trend. Over the past 7-year window, the student count ticked up 23%: 644 students in 2018 compared to 792 in 2025. Over the same period, the White share contracted from 63% to 52%. The student-to-teacher ratio tightened from 17.5:1 in 2018 to 15.5:1 today.

In the discussion threads here, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around enrollment questions, classroom assignments, and PTA news. The community welcomes input from current and former families.