Fairforest Middle, Spartanburg SC

Original Research by School Decision on Fairforest Middle

Fairforest Middle is a regular public school serving grades six through eight in Spartanburg, part of Spartanburg 06. The school sits in the broader Spartanburg community, a mid-sized city that functions as the county seat and a regional hub in the Upstate. Once dominated by textile mills, Spartanburg’s economy has shifted toward healthcare, higher education, corporate headquarters, and manufacturing. Downtown has seen a decade of revitalization—new hotels, a minor league ballpark that opened in 2025, and a protected bicycle lane. Multiple colleges are within the city limits, and the largest employers include the regional hospital system, the county government, and the school district itself.

The student body at Fairforest Middle is notably diverse. Families of Hispanic background make up the largest share, followed by Black students and White students, with smaller shares of Asian students, students of two or more races, and a very small number of American Indian or Alaska Native students. Every student at the school qualifies for the federal free or reduced-price meal program. The school enrolls a large number of students for a middle school, spread fairly evenly across sixth, seventh, and eighth grades.

On state assessments, Fairforest Middle shows a mixed picture. In English language arts, the share of students scoring proficient or above is highest in sixth grade, slightly lower in seventh, and lower still in eighth. In mathematics, proficiency rates are substantially lower across all three grades, with a notable decline from sixth to eighth grade. Science results for sixth grade are similar to math, with a modest share of students meeting the proficiency bar. Social studies data is only available from an older assessment year; at that time, a moderate share of seventh graders scored proficient, but the assessment and cut scores have since changed, making direct comparison unreliable. Overall, Fairforest Middle’s academic performance across tested subjects places it in the bottom quartile when measured against other middle schools in Spartanburg County districts. A parent considering this school may want to look into what academic supports are available for students who need additional help, particularly in math and science.

The school’s community and economic context reflects the broader Spartanburg area. Housing values in the school’s zip code are somewhat below the state median and well below the national median. Rents are also below national levels, making the area relatively affordable for families. The local unemployment rate and median household income are in line with national figures. The district itself, Spartanburg 06, showed no major recent changes such as bond measures, curriculum overhauls, or boundary adjustments that are publicly documented in a way that would be relevant to parents.

Fairforest Middle offers a large, diverse school environment in a city with a working-class and revitalizing character. The academic results, particularly in math and science, are areas where a family would want to understand the school’s approach to intervention and enrichment. The school’s student body is fully served by the federal meal program, which may be a consideration for families weighing socioeconomic diversity. For parents who prioritize a setting where their child will encounter a wide range of backgrounds and who are comfortable with a school that is working to raise its test scores, Fairforest Middle is a representative option within Spartanburg County. Those seeking a school with stronger academic metrics on state assessments may want to explore other schools in the district.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 628%

School 28% · District 35% · ▼ 7 pts below district

▼ 6 pts below state median · ▼ 13 pts below county median

Grade 717%

School 17% · District 26% · ▼ 9 pts below district

▼ 11 pts below state median · ▼ 20 pts below county median

Grade 816%

School 16% · District 22% · ▼ 6 pts below district

▼ 10 pts below state median · ▼ 21 pts below county median

English language arts

Grade 646%

School 46% · District 51% · ▼ 5 pts below district

▼ 7 pts below state median · ▼ 14 pts below county median

Grade 742%

School 42% · District 53% · ▼ 12 pts below district

▼ 14 pts below state median · ▼ 20 pts below county median

Grade 833%

School 33% · District 47% · ▼ 14 pts below district

▼ 21 pts below state median · ▼ 24 pts below county median

Science

Grade 629%

School 29% · District 38% · ▼ 9 pts below district

▼ 14 pts below state median · ▼ 20 pts below county median

Social studies

Grade 741%

School 41% · District 54% · ▼ 13 pts below district

▼ 23 pts below state median · ▼ 25 pts below county median

This schoolSpartanburg 06, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 6Lower-income43%Higher-income54%11 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income40%Higher-income54%14 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income31%Higher-income38%6 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 6Lower-income25%Higher-income39%13 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income15%Higher-income28%13 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income17%Higher-income16%1 pp gap