Cherokee 01, SC - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Cherokee 01

Cherokee 01 is a public school district in Cherokee County, South Carolina, serving students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade across fifteen schools. It is a large district, with a student population that is predominantly white, a substantial Black student body, a smaller but noticeable Hispanic presence, and small shares of Asian and multiracial students. The grade-level enrollment is fairly even through elementary and middle school, with a notable jump in ninth grade and then a steady decline through the upper high school years, a pattern that may reflect students entering from private or home settings or leaving before graduation.

Academically, the picture varies by subject and grade. On state English language arts assessments, the district shows a clear strength in the early elementary years, where roughly half of students met proficiency standards. That share holds well through fifth grade, then dips slightly in middle school but remains above the two-fifths mark. Math tells a different story. Proficiency rates start moderate in third and fourth grade, then drop sharply in fifth grade and continue falling through eighth grade, where fewer than one in five students scored at the proficient level. Science results, available for fourth and sixth grades, are also on the lower side. Social studies data from several years ago, from before the state changed its cut scores, showed a majority of students proficient, but that information is too old to rely on for current decision making. Because the district is the only one in the county with reported data that supports comparison, we cannot say how these results stack up against neighboring districts. A parent may want to ask the school system for more context on math instruction, particularly in the upper elementary and middle school years.

The district does not have a reported four-year graduation rate in this data, so that important marker of high school outcomes is missing. Similarly, there is no information on how many students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, on special education enrollment, or on English learner populations. These gaps make it harder to assess the level of need the district serves.

The communities that make up Cherokee 01 include Gaffney, the county seat and largest town, along with Blacksburg, Cowpens, Pacolet, Chesnee, and portions of outlying areas. Home values in the district vary considerably, with higher-priced homes in the Chesnee area and more affordable options in Blacksburg and parts of Gaffney. The weighted average home value sits below the state and national benchmarks, and year-over-year values have seen a modest decline, which may be relevant for families considering a move. Rental costs are moderate.

The district’s schools are spread across the county. There are multiple elementary schools, three middle schools, two comprehensive high schools in Blacksburg and Gaffney, and an alternative school called the Institute of Innovation. This range suggests that families may have some choice within the district, particularly at the secondary level, but the data does not include program offerings such as Advanced Placement, dual enrollment, or career and technical pathways. Those details would need to come directly from the district.

For a parent or resident considering Cherokee 01, the district offers a traditional public school experience with a diverse student body spread across a largely rural and small-town setting. The strongest academic evidence points to solid English language arts achievement in the early grades. The declining math scores, the lack of current graduation rate data, and the absence of information on student supports are areas a prospective family would want to investigate further with the district itself.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

7,712

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 10%

Black 28%

White 58%

Asian 1%

Two+ 4%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

47%

67%

Gr 4

49%

68%

Gr 5

46%

64%

Gr 6

38%

62%

Gr 7

39%

64%

Gr 8

40%

62%

Math

Gr 3

37%

51%

Gr 4

35%

55%

Gr 5

29%

44%

Gr 6

16%

35%

Gr 7

12%

28%

Gr 8

13%

33%

Science

Gr 4

26%

49%

Gr 6

21%

39%

Schools in this District

15 schools are officially reported under this district.

Blacksburg Middle

Corinth Elementary

Draytonville Elementary

B. D. Lee Elementary

Luther L. Vaughan Elementary

Blacksburg High

John E. Ewing Middle

Gaffney High

Limestone-Central Elementary

Institute of Innovation

Grassy Pond Elementary

Northwest Elementary

Gaffney Middle

Blacksburg Primary

Blacksburg Elementary

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

40%

Grade 3

40%

Grade 4

32%

Grade 5

20%

Grade 6

16%

Grade 7

18%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

50%

Grade 3

54%

Grade 4

50%

Grade 5

43%

Grade 6

44%

Grade 7

45%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

31%

Grade 4

25%

Grade 6

Social Studies

2 grades reported

62%

Grade 5

56%

Grade 7

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$173,492

Year-over-year change-4.3%

Range across 8 ZIP codes$145K to $292K

vs. state typical0.57x

vs. national typical0.47x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (8 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
29340	Gaffney	$153K	-4.8%	43.1%
29341	Gaffney	$221K	-0.1%	23.3%
29702	Blacksburg	$145K	-11.3%	21.0%
29330	Cowpens	$204K	+2.3%	5.0%
29372	Pacolet	$163K	+2.5%	4.7%
29743	Smyrna	$275K	-8.8%	1.5%
29307	Spartanburg	$262K	+2.5%	1.3%
29323	Chesnee	$292K	+5.2%	0.1%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$1,098/mo

Year-over-year change+1.3%

Range across 3 ZIP codes$1,001 to $1,259/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (3 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
29340	Gaffney	$1,145	—	43.1%
29341	Gaffney	$1,001	—	23.3%
29307	Spartanburg	$1,259	+1.3%	1.3%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$875/mo

Home price / national median income2.1x

Annual rent / national median income15.7%

Rent exceeds est. mortgage by$222/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$305,174 (+0.4% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.