Kershaw 01, SC - District Data

Original Research by School Decision on Kershaw 01

Kershaw 01 is the public school district serving all of Kershaw County, a largely rural area in the Midlands of South Carolina. The district covers the county's towns and unincorporated communities, most notably Camden, Lugoff, Elgin, and Kershaw, each with its own character. The district is the sole public provider for the county, and its schools are spread across this broad geography. Enrollment across the district totals roughly five figures, making it a mid-to-large system for the state, and it serves students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.

The student body is majority white, with a substantial Black or African American population making up the largest minority group. Students who identify as Hispanic or Latino also form a noticeable share, and a smaller number of students identify with two or more races. The demographic profile of the district broadly reflects the county it serves. Data on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals, as well as the number of students with disabilities or those learning English, was not available in the source materials, leaving an important gap for a parent evaluating support resources.

On state assessments, the district's performance shows a clear pattern by subject and grade. In English language arts, the share of students scoring proficient or above was at a solid level in the early elementary grades and remained fairly consistent through the middle grades, with some fluctuation. In mathematics, proficiency rates were generally lower than in ELA across all tested grades, and there was a notable decline in the proportion of students meeting the bar from elementary into middle school. Science results were available for two grade levels, and those rates fell between the district's math and ELA figures. Overall, the district's academic performance reflects a system where literacy is a relative strength, while math achievement, particularly in the middle years, is a weaker area that a family may want to explore further with the district to understand what supports are in place. Past social studies testing results were dated and are of limited usefulness for the current picture.

The district operates a considerable number of school buildings that cover the county's communities, including a career and technology center and several comprehensive elementary, middle, and high schools. The presence of separate career and technical facilities points to options for students interested in hands-on pathways, though the breadth of specific programs and course access was not detailed in the available data.

Housing values across the district vary meaningfully by zip code. In Camden, the historic county seat and a town with a strong sense of place, home values are generally above the district average. In Lugoff and Elgin, values are also above average. In the towns of Kershaw and Bethune, and in more rural areas like Cassatt and Rembert, values are notably lower, which is common for more remote parts of the county. Rental options are concentrated in Camden, where rents are on the lower end of what is typical for the area, and in Elgin, where rents are higher. The overall housing market in the district is more affordable than the state and national averages.

The district brief noted that no recent, lasting parent-relevant changes or major initiatives could be confirmed from available sources. This does not mean the district is static, but it means a parent may want to consult the district directly or check local news for the latest information on curriculum updates, facility plans, or staffing changes that could affect their child's experience. For a family choosing where to live, the district offers a single system that covers a diverse set of communities, from a historic small city like Camden to more rural unincorporated areas, with a range of housing affordability to match.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

11,149

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 11%

Black 26%

White 55%

Asian 0%

Two+ 7%

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

50%

81%

Gr 4

50%

74%

Gr 5

48%

72%

Gr 6

36%

70%

Gr 7

51%

73%

Gr 8

45%

69%

Math

Gr 3

49%

79%

Gr 4

43%

68%

Gr 5

37%

64%

Gr 6

24%

52%

Gr 7

21%

46%

Gr 8

22%

46%

Science

Gr 4

42%

71%

Gr 6

40%

71%

Schools in this District

17 schools are officially reported under this district.

Wateree Elementary

Leslie M. Stover Middle

Pine Tree Hill Elementary

Lugoff-Elgin Middle

Lugoff-Elgin High

Camden High

Dr. Gilbert G. Woolard Technology Center

Doby's Mill Elementary

North Central Elementary

Academic Performance

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

Mathematics

6 grades reported

59%

Grade 3

51%

Grade 4

47%

Grade 5

33%

Grade 6

29%

Grade 7

31%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

60%

Grade 3

58%

Grade 4

56%

Grade 5

48%

Grade 6

58%

Grade 7

54%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

52%

Grade 4

51%

Grade 6

Social Studies

2 grades reported

67%

Grade 5

68%

Grade 7

Housing & Real Estate

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

Home Values

Typical home value$223,064

Year-over-year change+0.5%

Range across 13 ZIP codes$128K to $447K

vs. state typical0.73x

vs. national typical0.61x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (13 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
29020	Camden	$241K	+0.9%	30.1%
29078	Lugoff	$260K	+2.2%	15.3%
29009	Bethune	$157K	+1.7%	14.1%
29067	Kershaw	$182K	-1.8%	12.0%
29032	Cassatt	$156K	-1.7%	8.6%
29045	Elgin	$299K	+1.7%	6.0%
29128	Rembert	$137K	-5.0%	3.5%
29130	Ridgeway	$302K	+2.1%	3.1%
29074	Liberty Hill	$447K	+2.9%	2.9%
29058	Heath Springs	$205K	-2.2%	2.0%
29175	Westville	$172K	-6.2%	1.1%
29718	Jefferson	$182K	+3.8%	1.0%
29010	Bishopville	$128K	-10.0%	0.2%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$1,380/mo

Year-over-year change-0.5%

Range across 2 ZIP codes$1,303 to $1,764/mo

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (2 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
29020	Camden	$1,303	—	30.1%
29045	Elgin	$1,764	-0.5%	6.0%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,126/mo

Home price / national median income2.7x

Annual rent / national median income19.8%

Rent exceeds est. mortgage by$254/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.