Needs Improvement
#1159 of 1,176 schools in SC
Bethune-bowman Elementary
Elementary School · Orangeburg
4857 Charleston Highway, Rowesville, SC 29133
Enrollment
271
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
2.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
271
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
2.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#1,159 of 1,176
In Rowesville
#2 of 2
public schools
In district
#24 of 26
Orangeburg
School environment
8.0 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Bethune-bowman Elementary?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Bethune-bowman Elementary
Elementary School in Rowesville · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Bethune-bowman Middle/high
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Orangeburg Christian Academy
7.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bethune-bowman Elementary
Bethune-bowman Elementary is a public elementary school in Rowesville, SC, part of Orangeburg. Bethune-bowman Elementary serves approximately 271 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Bethune-bowman Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,159 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for Bethune-bowman Elementary show 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 17% reading/ELA proficiency (2022 EdFacts).
- This school 2.7 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.8
- SC avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
Bethune-bowman Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Bethune-bowman Elementary — Students at Bethune-bowman Elementary score 14% 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 4 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: 1.2/10.
How Bethune-bowman Elementary Compares
See how Bethune-bowman Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
4857 Charleston Highway, Rowesville, SC 29133
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bethune-bowman Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lockett Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Branchville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Brookdale Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Orangeburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Felton Laboratory Charter School (rated 7.1/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Orangeburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Rowesville, see our Rowesville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Bethune-Bowman Middle/High Rowesville | 0.0 mi | 6.7 |
| ORANGEBURG CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Orangeburg | 7.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Whittaker Elementary Orangeburg | 8.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Brookdale Elementary Orangeburg | 8.6 mi | 8.0 |
| Mellichamp Elementary Orangeburg | 8.1 mi | 2.2 |
| Robert E. Howard Middle Orangeburg | 8.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Felton Laboratory Charter School Orangeburg | 8.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Orangeburg Wilkinson High Orangeburg | 9.8 mi | 5.8 |
| OCSD High School for Health Professions Orangeburg | 10.2 mi | — |
| William J. Clark Middle Orangeburg | 10.0 mi | 5.4 |
| ST ANDREWS METHODIST KINDERGARTEN Orangeburg | 10.4 mi | — |
| Marshall Elementary Orangeburg | 10.5 mi | 2.4 |
| Lockett Elementary Branchville | 11.4 mi | 8.9 |
| Branchville High Branchville | 11.4 mi | 8.4 |
| FIRST SOUTHERN METHODIST CHR & WESLEY CHRISTIAN SC Orangeburg | 10.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Sheridan Elementary Orangeburg | 10.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Edisto Primary Cordova | 10.2 mi | 5.8 |
| ORANGEBURG PREPARATORY SCHOOL Orangeburg | 11.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Edisto High Cordova | 11.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Carver Edisto Middle Cope | 12.5 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29133 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$43,281
Median Home Value
$128,600
Median Rent
$732/mo
Population
1,198
College Educated
8.4%
Homeownership
73.2%
Poverty Rate
14.8%
Median Age
37.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Theodore Lester Elementary Florence, SC | 2.9 |
| Wallace Gregg Elementary Florence, SC | 2.9 |
| Chicora Elementary North Charleston, SC | 3.0 |
| Lemira Elementary Sumter, SC | 3.0 |
| Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center North Charleston, SC | 3.0 |
| R. E. Davis College Preparatory Academy Sumter, SC | 2.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bethune-bowman Elementary
What grades does Bethune-bowman Elementary serve?
Bethune-bowman Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Bethune-bowman Elementary?
Bethune-bowman Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 271 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bethune-bowman Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Bethune-bowman Elementary is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bethune-bowman Elementary rank in SC?
Bethune-bowman Elementary ranks #1,159 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Bethune-bowman Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bethune-bowman Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.7 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 Bethune-bowman Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bethune-bowman Elementary has 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 17% reading/ELA proficiency (2022 EdFacts).
Is Bethune-bowman Elementary a charter school?
No, Bethune-bowman Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bethune-bowman Elementary a Title I school?
No, Bethune-bowman Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bethune-bowman Elementary?
100.0% of students at Bethune-bowman 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 271
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Orangeburg County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 25.5%
- Phone
- (803) 533-6371
Resources & Links
District
Orangeburg- District Enrollment
- 10,620
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,571
- District Rank
- #24 of 26
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateGet 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.