Very Good
#302 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
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
758
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#302 of 1,176
In Lancaster
#3 of 14
public schools
In district
#5 of 22
Lancaster 01
Academic performance
9.1 / 10
Excellent
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Buford Elementary
Elementary School in Lancaster · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Buford Middle
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Buford High
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Buford Elementary
Buford Elementary is a public elementary school in Lancaster, SC, part of Lancaster 01. Buford Elementary serves approximately 758 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Buford Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #302 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for Buford Elementary show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.4 · Very Good
- District avg 5.7
- SC avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
Buford 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
Buford Elementary — Students at Buford Elementary score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
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 28 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: 8.0/10.
How Buford Elementary Compares
See how Buford 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
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 6.7/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Monroe), with a comparable rating. Another option is Western Union Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Waxhaw), a more accessible option. Additionally, North Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 8.9 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 | 4.9 |
| Buford High Lancaster | 0.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Prospect Elementary Monroe | 6.9 mi | 6.7 |
| A. R. Rucker Middle Lancaster | 6.9 mi | 2.6 |
| CAROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lancaster | 8.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Parkwood Middle Monroe | 9.5 mi | 5.1 |
| TENDERHEARTS Lancaster | 8.5 mi | — |
| Parkwood High Monroe | 9.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Clinton Elementary Lancaster | 8.3 mi | 2.6 |
| Discovery Charter of Lancaster Lancaster | 8.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Lancaster High Lancaster | 8.9 mi | 5.4 |
| North Elementary Lancaster | 8.9 mi | 6.0 |
| South Middle Lancaster | 9.6 mi | 2.8 |
| Brooklyn Springs Elementary Lancaster | 9.7 mi | 2.9 |
| Heath Springs Elementary Heath Springs | 11.4 mi | 4.4 |
| McDonald Green Elementary Lancaster | 10.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Western Union Elementary Waxhaw | 11.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Erwin Elementary Lancaster | 11.0 mi | 3.4 |
| Andrew Jackson High Kershaw | 13.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Waxhaw Elementary Waxhaw | 12.4 mi | 5.9 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A.J. Whittenberg Elementary Greenville, SC | 7.4 |
| Brushy Creek Elementary Taylors, SC | 7.4 |
| Chapin Elementary Chapin, SC | 7.4 |
| Forest Lake Elementary Columbia, SC | 7.4 |
| Midway Elementary Anderson, SC | 7.4 |
| Oak Pointe Elementary Irmo, SC | 7.4 |
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 ranks #302 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Buford Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Buford Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Buford Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Buford Elementary has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 25.9%
- Phone
- (803) 286-0026
Resources & Links
District
Lancaster 01- District Enrollment
- 15,298
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,216
- District Rank
- #5 of 22
Other Schools in This District
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