Very Good
#166 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 14% in state
Bluffton Elementary
Elementary School · Beaufort 01
160 H.E. McCracken Circle, Bluffton, SC 29910
Enrollment
714
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
714
Student-Teacher
10.5:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bluffton
#7 of 10
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#103 of 680
In district
#11 of 32
Beaufort 01
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Bluffton Elementary
Bluffton Elementary serves 714 students in grades prekindergarten through fifth grade in the heart of Bluffton, South Carolina. With 68 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 10.5:1, allowing for more individualized attention in each classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10, ranking among the top schools in South Carolina at #123 out of 1,192 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 90th percentile.
Students show steady progress in core subjects, with 53% achieving proficiency or above in mathematics and 49% meeting proficiency standards in English language arts and reading. Bluffton Elementary sits in an established community where families value education, reflected in the neighborhood's demographics. The surrounding area has a median household income of $92,421 and a median home value of $383,200, with 44% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The low poverty rate of 7.8% indicates a stable community environment that supports student learning. Located on H.E. McCracken Circle in this growing small city in Beaufort County, Bluffton Elementary serves a vibrant community of nearly 48,000 residents who have chosen this coastal South Carolina area for its blend of Southern charm and modern amenities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Bluffton Elementary — Students at Bluffton Elementary score 53% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.7%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.6/10.
How Bluffton Elementary Compares
See how Bluffton Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 55% (2019) to 55% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 49% (2019) to 51% (2022).
Location
160 H.E. McCracken Circle, Bluffton, SC 29910
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bluffton Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Red Cedar Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Okatie Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 5.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, River Ridge Academy (rated 8.1/10, 3.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bluffton, see our Bluffton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| H. E. McCracken Middle Bluffton | 0.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Bluffton High Bluffton | 0.3 mi | 8.9 |
| Bluffton Middle Bluffton | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Red Cedar Elementary Bluffton | 1.8 mi | 8.7 |
| MAY RIVER MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bluffton | 2.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Michael C. Riley Elementary Bluffton | 2.6 mi | 7.9 |
| River Ridge Academy Bluffton | 3.1 mi | 8.1 |
| Pritchardville Elementary Bluffton | 4.4 mi | 6.8 |
| May River High Bluffton | 4.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Okatie Elementary Bluffton | 5.5 mi | 8.6 |
| JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ridgeland | 7.5 mi | 6.7 |
| JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ridgeland | 7.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Hardeeville Junior /Senior High Hardeeville | 10.0 mi | — |
| Hardeeville Elementary Hardeeville | 10.1 mi | 2.6 |
| HILTON HEAD PREPARATORY SCHOOL Hilton Head Island | 10.5 mi | 6.6 |
| SEA PINES MONTESSORI ACADEMY Hilton Head Island | 10.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts Hilton Head Island | 9.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Hilton Head Island Elementary Hilton Head Island | 9.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Hilton Head Island High Hilton Head Island | 10.0 mi | 6.3 |
| HERITAGE ACADEMY Hilton Head Island | 10.5 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29910 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$96,122
Median Home Value
$420,200
Median Rent
$1,848/mo
Population
50,173
College Educated
46.4%
Homeownership
76.9%
Avg Commute
25.7 min
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Median Age
42.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bluffton Elementary has a median household income of $96,122. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $420,200, with a median rent of $1,848/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Bookman Road Elementary Elgin, SC | 7.8 |
| Ebinport Elementary Rock Hill, SC | 7.8 |
| Harbison West Elementary Columbia, SC | 7.8 |
| Harbor View Elementary Charleston, SC | 7.8 |
| Joseph Keels Elementary Columbia, SC | 7.8 |
| Kingston Elementary Conway, SC | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bluffton Elementary
What grades does Bluffton Elementary serve?
Bluffton Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Bluffton Elementary?
Bluffton Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 714 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bluffton Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Bluffton Elementary is 10.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bluffton Elementary rank in SC?
Bluffton Elementary is ranked #166 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Bluffton Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bluffton Elementary has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Bluffton Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bluffton Elementary has 53.0% math proficiency and 48.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bluffton Elementary a charter school?
No, Bluffton Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bluffton Elementary a Title I school?
No, Bluffton Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bluffton Elementary?
57.7% of students at Bluffton 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 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bluffton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 714
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 68
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Beaufort County
- Phone
- (843) 706-8500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Beaufort 01- District Enrollment
- 21,489
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,232
- District Rank
- #11 of 32
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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