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Needs Improvement

#1128 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

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina schools

#1,128 of 1,176

In Gaffney

#11 of 11

public schools

In district

#14 of 14

Cherokee 01

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B. D. Lee Elementary

3.2/10

Elementary School in Gaffney · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Gaffney High

6.2/10

1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Gaffney Middle

5.7/10

1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About B. D. Lee Elementary

B. D. Lee Elementary is a public elementary school in Gaffney, SC, part of Cherokee 01.

B. D. Lee Elementary serves approximately 617 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio.

B. D. Lee Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,128 of 1,176 schools in SC.

Structured state assessment records for B. D. Lee Elementary show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.1 pts below district
  • This school 3.2 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.3
  • SC avg 6.1

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.62 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.4Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency18% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-18.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,668
Chronic Absenteeism27.2%

B. D. Lee Elementary — Students at B. D. Lee Elementary score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 41.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 38.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
22%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
18%
ELA
17%

* 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: 2.9/10.

How B. D. Lee Elementary Compares

See how B. D. Lee Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.2/10
4th percentile in SC
Academic
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.3/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.2%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Springmore Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Shelby), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cherokee Charter Academy (rated 8.4/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cliffside Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Cliffside), 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 6.2
Gaffney Middle Gaffney 1.4 mi 5.7
Limestone-Central Elementary Gaffney 2.0 mi 4.6
Luther L. Vaughan Elementary Gaffney 1.9 mi 4.1
John E. Ewing Middle Gaffney 2.3 mi 4.0
Grassy Pond Elementary Gaffney 3.9 mi 6.4
Cherokee Charter Academy Gaffney 3.3 mi 8.4
Corinth Elementary Gaffney 4.8 mi 6.5
Draytonville Elementary Gaffney 5.3 mi 5.6
Northwest Elementary Gaffney 6.0 mi 6.1
Blacksburg Elementary Blacksburg 8.5 mi 5.7
Blacksburg Middle Blacksburg 8.6 mi 5.0
Blacksburg High Blacksburg 8.7 mi 7.5
Boiling Springs Elementary Shelby 11.2 mi 8.2
Cowpens Elementary Cowpens 9.5 mi 7.3
Blacksburg Primary Blacksburg 10.4 mi 5.2
Township Three Elementary Shelby 12.1 mi 4.5
Mayo Elementary Mayo 11.0 mi 7.0
Springmore Elementary Shelby 13.7 mi 8.5
Cliffside Elementary School Cliffside 13.2 mi 8.3

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Cross Elementary Cross, SC 3.3
Cyril B. Busbee Elementary Wagener, SC 3.1
Erwin Elementary Lancaster, SC 3.4
Foster Park Elementary Union, SC 3.4
A. C. Corcoran Elementary North Charleston, SC 3.0
Cottageville Elementary Cottageville, SC 3.0

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 ranks #1,128 of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is B. D. Lee Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

B. D. Lee Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at B. D. Lee Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, B. D. Lee Elementary has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
35 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.2%

District

Cherokee 01
District Enrollment
7,712
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,668
District Rank
#14 of 14

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