Public schools in Clinton, SC
6 open public schools with an address in Clinton, operated by 2 education agencies. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
6
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
2,939
6 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
14:1
South Carolina median 13.6:1
Charter schools
1
0 virtual
An overview of Clinton public schools
The federal directory lists 6 public schools in Clinton, SC: 2 elementary, 1 middle, 1 high, 2 combined or other. The 6 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 2,939 students, an average of 490 per school. The largest campus is Clinton High (811 students), and the largest elementary school is Eastside Elementary (462).
Laurens 56 operates the most schools here (5), plus 1 charter, service, or other agency. City names come from school mailing addresses, which often differ from district or municipal boundaries.
Across schools that reported staffing, the median student–teacher ratio is 14:1, similar to the statewide school median of 13.6:1. A ratio counts classroom-teacher FTE against total enrollment, so specialized programs and part-time staffing can move it; ask schools for actual class sizes by grade.
School choice options include 1 charter school. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
School districts and agencies serving Clinton
Elementary schools in Clinton
2| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton Elementary Laurens 56 | KG–05 | 422 | 14.6:1 | |
| Eastside Elementary Laurens 56 | KG–05 | 462 | 14.9:1 |
Middle schools in Clinton
1| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton Middle Laurens 56 | 06–08 | 580 | 11.5:1 |
High schools in Clinton
1| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton High Laurens 56 | 09–12 | 811 | 14:1 |
Combined, early-childhood, and other schools in Clinton
2| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. S. Bailey Child Development Center Laurens 56 | PK–PK | 139 | 13.9:1 | |
| Thornwell Charter School Charter Institute at Erskine · Charter | KG–12 | 525 | 11.8:1 |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White50.1%
- Hispanic7.4%
- Black35.7%
- Asian0.9%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial6%
Enrollment-weighted across 6 Clinton schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (2,939 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in Clinton
How many public schools are in Clinton, SC?
The current NCES directory lists 6 open public schools with a location address in Clinton: 2 elementary, 1 middle, 1 high, 2 combined or other. Together they reported 2,939 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve Clinton?
Schools with an address in Clinton belong to 2 education agencies, led by Laurens 56 (5 schools), Charter Institute at Erskine (1 school). A mailing city is not an attendance boundary; confirm the district for a specific address.
What is the largest public high school in Clinton?
Clinton High reported the largest high-school enrollment in Clinton, with 811 students in 2024–25 (grades 09–12). Size is a description of the campus, not a quality measure.
Are there charter schools in Clinton?
Yes. 1 of the 6 public schools in Clinton are identified as charter schools in the NCES directory, including Thornwell Charter School. Charter schools are public and tuition-free, but admission usually uses an application or lottery.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in Clinton schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across Clinton public schools is 14:1, similar to the South Carolina school median of 13.6:1. The ratio divides enrollment by classroom-teacher FTE; it is not an average class size.
Does living in Clinton guarantee a seat at a specific school?
No. Assignment depends on the district's attendance boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules, which can split a city or cross city lines. Use the district profile and its official boundary or school-locator tool to confirm the assigned school for an exact address.
Nearby South Carolina cities
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data 2025–26 preliminary directory (schools, grades, addresses, charter status) and 2024–25 nonfiscal files (enrollment, teachers, race/ethnicity, meal eligibility); Civil Rights Data Collection 2021–22 (AP and computer science). Cities are grouped by school mailing address. Methodology · All South Carolina cities