Education

Nestled in the heart of the Palmetto State, the Kershaw County School District is home to more than 10,300 students and over 1,300 employees.  All of our 20 schools are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the South Carolina Department of Education.

All 20 schools are wireless and connected by a high-speed wide area network. Students and staff have full-time Internet access in classrooms, libraries, and computer labs including distance learning opportunities. Kershaw County was the first school district in South Carolina to provide individual wireless laptops to all high school students and teachers through an $8 million i-CAN initiative.

The Board of Trustees has made a commitment to equalizing school buildings across the district so that regardless of where children live in Kershaw County, they have equal opportunities and facilities.  A $102.2 million school construction program is almost completed, equalizing facilities across the district.  The eight projects in this first phase include two new middle schools; new athletic and wellness facilities at all three high schools; a new elementary school and two elementary renovation projects.

Public Education 2009

Kershaw County School District

# of Schools 20
Elementary (K-5) 11
Middle (6-8) 4
High (9-12) 3
Alternative 1
Career Center 1
Enrollment 10,486
Expenditures per student $7,854

Pupil/Teacher Ratio

Kindergarten 20:1
1-2 grade 18:1
3-8 grade 25:1
9-12 grade 22:1

SAT Scores 2000-2009

SAT Scores 2000-2009 Kershaw County SC US
2000 1005 966 1019
2001 1021 974 1020
2002 1056 981 1020
2003 1058 989 1026
2004 1020 986 1026
2005 1030 993 1028
2006 1025 985 1021
2007 1013 984 1017
2008 1487 1451 1495
2009  1436  1445 1493
Source: South Carolina Department of Education

Higher Education 2008

Institution Type  Enrollment  Graduation  Location 
Allen University Liberal Arts 727 45 Columbia
Benedict College Liberal Arts 2,883 343 Columbia
Central Carolina Technical College Technical 3,206 580 Camden/Sumter
Columbia College Private Liberal Arts 1,445 430 Columbia
Midlands Technical College Technical 11,234 1,704 Columbia
University of South Carolina Flagship 27,488 6,175 Columbia
 Source: South Carolina Commission of Higher Education

Educational Attainment 2000 Ages+

  Number Percent 
High school or higher degree 26,295 75.42%
High school graduate 12,370 35.48%
Some college, less than 1 year 2,195 6.30%
Some college, 1 or more years,
 no degree
4,068 11.67%
Associate degree 1,994 5.72%
Bachelor's degree 3,960 11.36%
Master's degree 1,265 3.63%
Professional school degree 294 0.84%
Doctorate degree 149 0.43%
Source: US Census Bureau

Private Schools 2009

School Name Enrollment Location 
Camden Military
Academy
287 Camden
Ben Lippon 825 Columbia
Cardinal Newman 443 Columbia
Hammond School 977 Columbia
Heathwood Hall 872 Columbia
Robert E. Lee 605 Bishopville
Wilson Hall 793 Sumter
Ben Lippen 792 Columbia
Thomas Sumter 775 Sumter
Montessori School of Camden 73 Camden
Source: South Carolina Department of Education

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