Summary:
The 29133 zip code area in South Carolina is home to two schools - Bethune-Bowman Middle/High and Bethune-Bowman Elementary, both of which serve a predominantly African American and economically disadvantaged student population. Unfortunately, these schools have consistently underperformed, ranking in the bottom tiers of the state's education system.
According to the data, both Bethune-Bowman Middle/High and Bethune-Bowman Elementary have very low test scores compared to state and district averages across various subjects and grade levels. For instance, in 2023-2024, only 22.4% of 6th-8th graders at Bethune-Bowman Middle/High were proficient in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 50.7%. In mathematics, the proficiency rates at Bethune-Bowman Middle/High were even lower, ranging from 4% to 7.3% for 6th-8th graders, compared to state averages of 30.2% to 38.4%. This consistent underperformance has resulted in both schools receiving 0 or 1 out of 5 stars from SchoolDigger.
The challenges faced by these schools are further compounded by their socioeconomic factors. Both Bethune-Bowman Middle/High and Bethune-Bowman Elementary have 100% of their students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage. Additionally, the schools have relatively high student-teacher ratios, suggesting that while they may be receiving additional resources, these resources may not be effectively utilized or targeted to address the specific needs of the student population. The Orangeburg district, which these schools are a part of, will need to take a comprehensive, data-driven approach to improve educational outcomes for the students in this community.
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