Very Good
#307 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 26% in state
Buford Elementary
Elementary School · Lancaster 01
1906 North Rocky River Road, Lancaster, SC 29720
Enrollment
758
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
758
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lancaster
#4 of 14
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#188 of 680
In district
#6 of 22
Lancaster 01
Academic performance
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Buford Elementary
Buford Elementary serves students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Lancaster, South Carolina, welcoming 758 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16.8 to 1. The school's 45 full-time equivalent teachers support learners across a traditional elementary curriculum. Academically, Buford demonstrates particular strength in mathematics, where 71 percent of students score at proficient levels or above.
English language arts and reading show room for growth, with 58 percent of students meeting proficiency benchmarks. Overall, the school earns an academic score of 8.7 out of 10 and ranks in the 66th percentile statewide—#401 among South Carolina's 1,192 schools—reflecting solid foundational instruction with opportunities for continued development. The school's MySchoolScout Rating of 6.3 out of 10 reflects its position as a steady, working elementary school focused on core academics.
Parents considering Buford will find a rural setting that emphasizes traditional elementary education for the youngest learners in Lancaster County.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Buford 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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Buford Elementary — Students at Buford Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.2%
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: 7.7/10.
How Buford Elementary Compares
See how Buford Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 77% (2019) to 75% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 66% (2022).
Location
1906 North Rocky River Road, Lancaster, SC 29720
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Buford Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Prospect Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Monroe), which scores notably higher. Another option is Waxhaw Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Waxhaw), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Discovery Charter of Lancaster (rated 7.4/10, 8.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lancaster, see our Lancaster schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Buford Middle Lancaster | 0.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Buford High Lancaster | 0.4 mi | 9.1 |
| Prospect Elementary Monroe | 6.9 mi | 8.3 |
| A. R. Rucker Middle Lancaster | 6.9 mi | 3.4 |
| CAROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lancaster | 8.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Parkwood Middle Monroe | 9.5 mi | 5.8 |
| TENDERHEARTS Lancaster | 8.5 mi | — |
| Parkwood High Monroe | 9.7 mi | 5.3 |
| Clinton Elementary Lancaster | 8.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Discovery Charter of Lancaster Lancaster | 8.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Lancaster High Lancaster | 8.9 mi | 5.4 |
| North Elementary Lancaster | 8.9 mi | 5.9 |
| South Middle Lancaster | 9.6 mi | 3.5 |
| Brooklyn Springs Elementary Lancaster | 9.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Heath Springs Elementary Heath Springs | 11.4 mi | 4.7 |
| McDonald Green Elementary Lancaster | 10.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Western Union Elementary Waxhaw | 11.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Erwin Elementary Lancaster | 11.0 mi | 3.3 |
| Andrew Jackson High Kershaw | 13.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Waxhaw Elementary Waxhaw | 12.4 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29720 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,039
Median Home Value
$212,800
Median Rent
$845/mo
Population
51,603
College Educated
22.2%
Homeownership
77.7%
Avg Commute
30 min
Poverty Rate
17.4%
Median Age
41.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Buford Elementary has a median household income of $59,039. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $212,800, with a median rent of $845/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.4%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Bethel Elementary Simpsonville, SC | 7.3 |
| Clemson Elementary Clemson, SC | 7.3 |
| Hunt Meadows Elementary Easley, SC | 7.3 |
| James Island Elementary Charleston, SC | 7.3 |
| Lake Murray Elementary Lexington, SC | 7.3 |
| Mountain View Elementary Taylors, SC | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Buford Elementary
What grades does Buford Elementary serve?
Buford Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Buford Elementary?
Buford Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 758 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Buford Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Buford Elementary is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Buford Elementary rank in SC?
Buford Elementary is ranked #307 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Buford Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Buford Elementary has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Buford Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buford Elementary has 71.3% math proficiency and 58.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Buford Elementary a charter school?
No, Buford Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Buford Elementary a Title I school?
No, Buford Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buford Elementary?
66.2% of students at Buford 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lancaster). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 758
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Lancaster County
- Phone
- (803) 286-0026
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lancaster 01- District Enrollment
- 15,298
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,216
- District Rank
- #6 of 22
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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