Lexington County School District One remains the largest school district in Lexington County — geographically and in student enrollment.

Lexington County takes up 750 square miles. Lexington One occupies 360 square miles or 48 percent of the county. Most of this land is still undeveloped.

This year (2008–2009) the district grew by about 800 students in Kindergarten through Grade 12. The district is also serving another 500 students in our 3- and 4-year-old programs

Lexington County School District One continues to grow 500 to 700 new students on average each school year and remains one of the fastest growing school districts in the state from the 1994–1995 school year to the 2004–2005 school year growing by 5,625 children — an increase of 42 percent.

2000 Census Data shows Lexington County's population as 216,014 and Lexington One's population as 84,845 or 39.3 percent of the county.

In 2004 Lexington County had 48,690 students in five school districts. Lexington One had 18,688 of those students or 38.4 percent of the county's student population.

Since 2003 the district built six new schools, completed nine major additions to existing schools, finished 13 renovation projects and built four new high school stadiums. With all this, the district still has 206 portable classrooms.

The district has 26 schools: 14 elementary schools, one intermediate school, six middle schools, four high schools and one technology center. The district also has an Alternative Learning Center.

Lexington County School District One prides itself on leading the state academically. For the 17th consecutive year, our SAT scores exceeded both state and national SAT score averages.

Our 2008 graduates earned more than $31 million dollars in scholarships based on their academic achievements.

Lexington One eighth-graders continue to earn spots as South Carolina Junior Scholars. In 2007–2008, 209 students earned this distinction.

The district boasts state and national award winning marching and symphonic bands, choral and strings programs, and athletic programs. Foreign language is offered at all levels including elementary and middle school.

Excluding lease purchase, most of Lexington One's budget goes to salaries and related costs. The 2008–2009 operating budget is $172,244,792. Of that 87.3 percent is for salaries and related costs, 7.1 percent for instructional and support services, and 6.0 percent for utilities and maintenance.

The latest data from the SC Department of Education shows the district is 49th out of 85 school districts in the state in wealth per pupil. We are lower than Lexington 2, Lexington/Richland 5, Richland 1 and Richland 2 and even Clarendon 1 or Saluda. In order for the district to hold its own in local revenue, the district's per pupil wealth needs to increase in proportion to the district's rate of student growth.

Lexington One spends less per pupil than many school districts in the state. In fact 48 out of the state's 85 school districts currently spend more per pupil than Lexington One. Obviously the district is a good steward of taxpayers' money.

The amount the district spends for district-level administrators is among the lowest amount in the state. Lexington One ranks 75th. Only 10 districts (Chesterfield, York 3, Lexington 2, Spartanburg 2, Greenville, Pickens, Anderson 1, Horry, Spartanburg 6 and Dorchester 2) spend less for district-level administrators than Lexington One.

In addition, the amount the district spends for school administrators is among the lowest amount in the state. Lexington One ranks 76th. Only nine districts (Jasper, Anderson 3, Calhoun, Abbeville, Clarendon 3, Florence 2, Bamberg 1, Marion 1 and Marion 2) spend less for school administration than Lexington One.