Needs Improvement
#1168 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
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Rowesville
#2 of 2
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#676 of 680
In district
#24 of 26
Orangeburg
School environment
8.1 / 10
Very strong
About Bethune-bowman Elementary
Bethune-Bowman Elementary is a regular public school located in the rural community of Rowesville, South Carolina. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 271 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1, Bethune-Bowman provides personalized attention to each child's learning needs.
Bethune-Bowman Elementary is staffed by 20 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their students' educational journeys. The school’s academic performance currently shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 2.3 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1176 out of 1192 schools in South Carolina (1st percentile). Test scores indicate that only 17% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 18% are proficient or above in Math.
Despite these challenges, the dedicated teachers and staff at Bethune-Bowman Elementary continue to focus on student development and growth. The school’s rural setting provides a close-knit community where students can benefit from strong support networks within their neighborhood.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Bethune-bowman Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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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 3 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: 1.1/10.
How Bethune-bowman Elementary Compares
See how Bethune-bowman Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 25% (2021) to 12% (2022).
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 8.7/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Branchville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Brookdale Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Orangeburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Felton Laboratory Charter School (rated 7.2/10, 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 | 5.4 |
| ORANGEBURG CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Orangeburg | 7.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Whittaker Elementary Orangeburg | 8.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Brookdale Elementary Orangeburg | 8.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Mellichamp Elementary Orangeburg | 8.1 mi | 3.2 |
| Robert E. Howard Middle Orangeburg | 8.7 mi | 2.5 |
| Felton Laboratory Charter School Orangeburg | 8.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Orangeburg Wilkinson High Orangeburg | 9.8 mi | 5.9 |
| OCSD High School for Health Professions Orangeburg | 10.2 mi | — |
| William J. Clark Middle Orangeburg | 10.0 mi | 5.6 |
| ST ANDREWS METHODIST KINDERGARTEN Orangeburg | 10.4 mi | — |
| Marshall Elementary Orangeburg | 10.5 mi | 2.1 |
| Lockett Elementary Branchville | 11.4 mi | 8.7 |
| Branchville High Branchville | 11.4 mi | 7.7 |
| FIRST SOUTHERN METHODIST CHR & WESLEY CHRISTIAN SC Orangeburg | 10.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Sheridan Elementary Orangeburg | 10.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Edisto Primary Cordova | 10.2 mi | 5.9 |
| ORANGEBURG PREPARATORY SCHOOL Orangeburg | 11.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Edisto High Cordova | 11.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Carver Edisto Middle Cope | 12.5 mi | 5.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bethune-bowman Elementary has a median household income of $43,281. It is a community where 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $128,600, with a median rent of $732/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.8%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Hunter-Kinard-Tyler Elementary Neeses, SC | 3.0 |
| St. Stephen Elementary St. Stephen, SC | 3.3 |
| Plainview Elementary Patrick, SC | 3.4 |
| Main Street Elementary Lake City, SC | 3.6 |
| A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia, SC | 3.7 |
| Theodore Lester Elementary Florence, SC | 3.7 |
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 is ranked #1168 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Bethune-bowman Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bethune-bowman Elementary has a composite rating of 2.7 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 Bethune-bowman Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bethune-bowman Elementary has 18.5% math proficiency and 17.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- County Safety
- High (3,220/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (803) 533-6371
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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.
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