Average
#717 of 1,176 schools in SC
Buffalo Elementary
Elementary School · Union 01
733 Main Street, Buffalo, SC 29321
Enrollment
478
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
478
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina elementary schools
#407 of 680
In district
#3 of 6
Union 01
School environment
7.2 / 10
Strong
About Buffalo Elementary
Buffalo Elementary, nestled in the heart of Buffalo, South Carolina, offers a warm and inviting learning environment for students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 478 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.3:1, the school provides a supportive atmosphere where teachers can give individual attention to each child’s needs. Located on Main Street in a cozy town setting, Buffalo Elementary is part of Union County and serves as a regular public elementary school.
Academically, Buffalo Elementary has room for improvement according to recent performance metrics. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks at the 30th percentile among South Carolina’s schools. In reading and math proficiency tests, approximately 30% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and about 31% in Math.
Despite these numbers, Buffalo Elementary continues to focus on student development and growth. Buffalo Elementary is situated in a tight-knit community where families can easily connect with one another and support their children’s educational journey.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Buffalo Elementary — Students at Buffalo Elementary score 32% 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
→ 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: 6.0/10.
How Buffalo Elementary Compares
See how Buffalo Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 31% (2019) to 31% (2022).
Location
733 Main Street, Buffalo, SC 29321
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Buffalo Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Monarch Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Union), which scores notably higher. Another option is Whitmire Community School (Elementary) (rated 8.4/10, 17.1 miles away, in nearby Whitmire), which scores notably higher. Additionally, E. P. Todd School (rated 8.2/10, 19.1 miles away, in nearby Spartanburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Buffalo, see our Buffalo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| UNION CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Union | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Foster Park Elementary Union | 2.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Union County High Union | 3.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Monarch Elementary Union | 3.3 mi | 8.5 |
| Sims Middle Union | 4.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Jonesville Elementary Middle Jonesville | 5.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Tyger River High Enoree | 9.8 mi | — |
| Pacolet Elementary Pacolet | 13.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Pauline-Glenn Springs Elementary Pauline | 14.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Whitmire Community School (Elementary) Whitmire | 17.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Whitmire Community School (High) Whitmire | 17.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Corinth Elementary Gaffney | 19.7 mi | 5.3 |
| SC School for the Blind High Spartanburg | 18.2 mi | — |
| SC School for the Deaf High Spartanburg | 18.2 mi | — |
| SC School for the Deaf Elementary/Middle Spartanburg | 18.2 mi | 6.2 |
| SC School for the Blind Elementary/Middle Spartanburg | 18.2 mi | — |
| Cedar Springs Academy Spartanburg | 18.2 mi | 7.7 |
| E. P. Todd School Spartanburg | 19.1 mi | 8.2 |
| Clinton High Clinton | 20.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Clifdale Middle Spartanburg | 20.3 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29321 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$32,907
Median Home Value
$61,900
Median Rent
$668/mo
Population
3,147
College Educated
13.8%
Homeownership
75.2%
Poverty Rate
37.8%
Median Age
34.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Buffalo Elementary has a median household income of $32,907. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $61,900, with a median rent of $668/month. The area has a poverty rate of 37.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Aiken Elementary Aiken, SC | 5.9 |
| Annie Burnside Elementary Columbia, SC | 5.9 |
| McDonald Green Elementary Lancaster, SC | 5.9 |
| North Elementary Lancaster, SC | 5.9 |
| Northside Elementary Rock Hill, SC | 5.9 |
| Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary Charleston, SC | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Buffalo Elementary
What grades does Buffalo Elementary serve?
Buffalo Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Buffalo Elementary?
Buffalo Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 478 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Buffalo Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Buffalo Elementary is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Buffalo Elementary rank in SC?
Buffalo Elementary is ranked #717 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Buffalo Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Buffalo Elementary has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Buffalo Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buffalo Elementary has 31.3% math proficiency and 29.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Buffalo Elementary a charter school?
No, Buffalo Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Buffalo Elementary a Title I school?
No, Buffalo Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buffalo Elementary?
100.0% of students at Buffalo 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
- Elevated (1,397/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 478
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Union County
- Phone
- (864) 429-1730
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Union 01- District Enrollment
- 3,658
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,526
- District Rank
- #3 of 6
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 methodologyRelated reading
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