For the 2026 school year, there are 13 public elementary schools serving 5,929 students in Laurens County, SC.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Laurens County, SC are Clinton Elementary School, Eastside Elementary School and Thornwell Charter School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Laurens County, SC public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 30% (versus the South Carolina public elementary school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 34% (versus the 47% statewide average). Elementary schools in Laurens County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 48% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public elementary school average of 54% (majority Black).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Laurens County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Clinton Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
800 Chestnut Street
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-0812
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-0812
Gr: K-5 | 422 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #22.
Eastside Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
103 Old Colony Road
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-0827
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-0827
Gr: K-5 | 462 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #33.
Thornwell Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
203 West Calhoun Street
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 808-0801
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 808-0801
Gr: K-12 | 525 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #44.
Waterloo Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
10457 Highway 221 South
Waterloo, SC 29384
(864) 677-5610
Waterloo, SC 29384
(864) 677-5610
Gr: PK-5 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #55.
Joanna-woodson Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
510 South Ellis Street
Joanna, SC 29351
(864) 697-6480
Joanna, SC 29351
(864) 697-6480
Gr: K-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Clinton Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
800 North Adair Street
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-0807
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-0807
Gr: 6-8 | 580 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #6 - 76. - 7.
Hickory Tavern Elementary Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
163 Neely Ferry Road
Gray Court, SC 29645
(864) 575-2126
Gray Court, SC 29645
(864) 575-2126
Gr: PK-8 | 623 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #88.
Laurens Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
301 Henry Street
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-3067
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-3067
Gr: PK-5 | 465 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #99.
E. B. Morse Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
200 Parkview Drive
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-7777
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-7777
Gr: PK-5 | 447 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1010.
Gray Court-owings Elementary Middle School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
9210 Highway 14
Gray Court, SC 29645
(864) 876-2131
Gray Court, SC 29645
(864) 876-2131
Gr: PK-8 | 715 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1111.
Laurens Middle School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1035 West Main Street
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-2400
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-2400
Gr: 6-8 | 373 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1212.
Ford Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
601 Lucas Avenue
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-3986
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-3986
Gr: PK-5 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1313.
Sanders Middle School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
609 Green Street
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-0354
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-0354
Gr: 6-8 | 250 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Laurens County, SC?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Laurens County, SC include Clinton Elementary School, Eastside Elementary School and Thornwell Charter School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Laurens County?
14 public elementary schools are located in Laurens County.
What is the racial composition of students in Laurens County?
Laurens County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 48% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public elementary schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public elementary schools in Laurens County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Laurens County include: Gray Court-owings Elementary Middle School vs. Hickory Tavern Elementary Middle School, Sanders Middle School vs. Laurens Middle School, Clinton Middle School vs. Laurens Middle School
Recent Articles
When “Free Public School” Still Isn’t Free
Discover the hidden costs of public school in 2026, from supplies and fees to transportation, technology, and extracurricular expenses.
What a District Budget Cut Means for Your Child's School Experience
Learn how district budget cuts can affect class sizes, programs, staffing, transportation, and your child's daily school experience in 2026.
School Closure Risk: What Parents Should Check Before Moving
Learn how parents can assess school closure risk before buying or renting in a district, using enrollment, funding, and boundary data.
