James F. Byrnes High School is located in Duncan, South Carolina. The school has 2289 students enrolled as of the 2008–2009 school year. It is the only high school in Spartanburg District 5. The James F. Byrnes Freshman Academy is located at the former D. R. Hill Middle School. Currently, there are 1,560 students served by 139 faculty and staff members. There are approximately 600 students in the Byrnes Freshman Academy. Throughout its history, Byrnes has experienced a large amount of success in athletics most notably their Football team. The Rebels have won 11 State Championships in Football.
 
History
James F. Byrnes High School was built in 1955 at a cost of $1,000,000. At that time, there were 21 teachers and 500 students in grades 9-12. In 1969, the school integrated, moving all the African-American students from Florence Chapel School to Byrnes. In 2007, the ninth grade moved to a separate facility.
 
Football
The Byrnes High School football team has experienced a large amount of success throughout its history. The Rebels have won eleven state championships in football, including four straight from 2002-2005 under head coach Bobby Bentley.[1] The Rebel football team competes on Nixon Field, located behind J. F. Byrnes High School. The field is named in honor of D. M. Nixon. Mr. Nixon was a former superintendent of District Five Schools and served from 1956 until his retirement in 1965.[3]
In 2008 the Rebels began the season as the number one team in the country according to The USA Today newspaper and held that spot until a regular season loss dropped them in the polls. They regrouped and won their ninth state championship to finish that season. In 2009, Byrnes began the season as the No. 2 ranked team in the nation according to MaxPreps.com. Also in 2009, the Rebels played the defending national champions, St. Thomas Aquinas High School of Fort Lauderdale, FL on October 2, 2009. St. Thomas Aquinas defeated Byrnes by a score of 42-34. Byrnes defeated Gaffney 31-24 on December 3, 2011 to win their 11th state title.