Needs Improvement
#1153 of 1,176 schools in SC
B. D. Lee Elementary
Elementary School · Cherokee 01
401 Overbrook Drive, Gaffney, SC 29341
Enrollment
617
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
3.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
617
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
3.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gaffney
#11 of 11
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#664 of 680
In district
#14 of 14
Cherokee 01
About B. D. Lee Elementary
B. D. Lee Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Gaffney, South Carolina, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
With an enrollment of 617 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1, the school offers personalized attention to help its young learners grow. Located at 401 Overbrook Drive, B. D.
Lee Elementary has 42 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting their students. The academic performance data shows that B. D.
Lee Elementary currently ranks in the lower third of South Carolina’s schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.5 out of 10. Only about one-fifth of students are proficient or above in both ELA/Reading and Math, indicating areas for improvement but also opportunities for growth. Set within the town of Gaffney, B.
D. Lee Elementary is part of a community focused on nurturing its youngest members as they begin their educational journey.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
B. D. Lee Elementary — Students at B. D. Lee Elementary score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.3/10.
How B. D. Lee Elementary Compares
See how B. D. Lee Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 18% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 17% (2022).
Location
401 Overbrook Drive, Gaffney, SC 29341
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering B. D. Lee Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cliffside Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Cliffside), which scores notably higher. Another option is Boiling Springs Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Shelby), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cowpens Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 9.5 miles away, in nearby Cowpens), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Gaffney, see our Gaffney schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gaffney High Gaffney | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Gaffney Middle Gaffney | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Limestone-Central Elementary Gaffney | 2.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Luther L. Vaughan Elementary Gaffney | 1.9 mi | 5.4 |
| John E. Ewing Middle Gaffney | 2.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Grassy Pond Elementary Gaffney | 3.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Cherokee Charter Academy Gaffney | 3.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Corinth Elementary Gaffney | 4.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Draytonville Elementary Gaffney | 5.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Northwest Elementary Gaffney | 6.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Blacksburg Elementary Blacksburg | 8.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Blacksburg Middle Blacksburg | 8.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Blacksburg High Blacksburg | 8.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Boiling Springs Elementary Shelby | 11.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Cowpens Elementary Cowpens | 9.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Blacksburg Primary Blacksburg | 10.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Township Three Elementary Shelby | 12.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Mayo Elementary Mayo | 11.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Springmore Elementary Shelby | 13.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Cliffside Elementary School Cliffside | 13.2 mi | 9.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29341 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,631
Median Home Value
$171,300
Median Rent
$857/mo
Population
19,564
College Educated
27%
Homeownership
72%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
16.8%
Median Age
37.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding B. D. Lee Elementary has a median household income of $55,631. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $171,300, with a median rent of $857/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.8%. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Crosswell Drive Elementary Sumter, SC | 3.2 |
| Edisto Elementary Orangeburg, SC | 3.2 |
| Willow Drive Elementary Sumter, SC | 3.2 |
| Byrd Elementary Graniteville, SC | 3.3 |
| Erwin Elementary Lancaster, SC | 3.3 |
| Ridgeland Elementary Ridgeland, SC | 3.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about B. D. Lee Elementary
What grades does B. D. Lee Elementary serve?
B. D. Lee Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend B. D. Lee Elementary?
B. D. Lee Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 617 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at B. D. Lee Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at B. D. Lee Elementary is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does B. D. Lee Elementary rank in SC?
B. D. Lee Elementary is ranked #1153 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is B. D. Lee Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
B. D. Lee Elementary has a composite rating of 3.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at B. D. Lee Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, B. D. Lee Elementary has 22.3% math proficiency and 20.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is B. D. Lee Elementary a charter school?
No, B. D. Lee Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is B. D. Lee Elementary a Title I school?
No, B. D. Lee Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for B. D. Lee Elementary?
100.0% of students at B. D. Lee Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,436/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Gaffney). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 617
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Cherokee County
- Phone
- (864) 206-6432
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cherokee 01- District Enrollment
- 7,712
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,668
- District Rank
- #14 of 14
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.