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Very Good

#162 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 14% in state

Cherokee Trail Elementary

Elementary School · Abbeville 60

6219 Highway 184 East, Donalds, SC 29638

Enrollment

424

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 7th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina elementary schools

#99 of 680

In district

#2 of 8

Abbeville 60

Academic performance

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Cherokee Trail Elementary

Cherokee Trail Elementary in Donalds, South Carolina, is a regular public school serving students from pre-kindergarten through seventh grade. With an enrollment of 424 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1, the school provides personalized attention to support each child's learning journey. The faculty consists of 29 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to nurturing young minds.

Academically, Cherokee Trail Elementary scores a MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks at #392 among South Carolina’s 1,192 schools. Students perform well in both English Language Arts/Reading (56% proficient or above) and Math (58% proficient or above). The school is situated in a rural area where the community values education and provides a supportive environment for students to thrive.

Cherokee Trail Elementary stands out as a caring, close-knit institution that focuses on fostering a love of learning among its students.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Cherokee Trail 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.98 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64%
Overall Proficiency62%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected+9.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,070

Cherokee Trail Elementary — Students at Cherokee Trail Elementary score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 57.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 56.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
61%
ELA
54%
2021*
Math
53%
ELA
51%
2022
Math
59%
ELA
64%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How Cherokee Trail Elementary Compares

See how Cherokee Trail Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
86th percentile in SC
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
8.3/10
Above average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

6219 Highway 184 East, Donalds, SC 29638

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cherokee Trail Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hodges Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Hodges), which scores notably higher. Another option is Merrywood Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 12.6 miles away, in nearby Greenwood), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Honea Path Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Honea Path), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Donalds, see our Donalds schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Dixie High Due West 3.1 mi 6.6
Honea Path Elementary Honea Path 5.8 mi 8.1
Honea Path Middle Honea Path 6.3 mi 7.6
Ware Shoals Elementary Middle Ware Shoals 6.2 mi 7.1
SHILOH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Due West 7.0 mi 4.5
Ware Shoals High Ware Shoals 7.0 mi 7.0
Hodges Elementary Hodges 7.9 mi 8.8
COLD SPRINGS MENNONITE SCHOOL Abbeville 9.3 mi 5.5
Ware Shoals Primary Ware Shoals 8.2 mi 4.6
Belton Honea Path High Honea Path 9.1 mi 6.4
Wright Elementary Belton 10.1 mi 7.1
Long Cane Primary Abbeville 12.2 mi 6.3
Abbeville High Abbeville 12.3 mi 7.6
Wright Middle Abbeville 12.6 mi 4.5
Northside Middle Greenwood 12.6 mi 4.9
Belton Elementary Belton 13.1 mi 8.0
Merrywood Elementary Greenwood 12.6 mi 8.7
Westwood Elementary Abbeville 14.4 mi 6.2
Belton Middle Belton 13.6 mi 6.8
Marshall Primary Belton 13.8 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29638 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,071

Median Home Value

$143,700

Median Rent

$858/mo

Population

3,669

College Educated

21.3%

Homeownership

79%

Avg Commute

30.9 min

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

43.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cherokee Trail Elementary has a median household income of $65,071. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $143,700, with a median rent of $858/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Congaree Elementary West Columbia, SC 7.8
Ebinport Elementary Rock Hill, SC 7.8
Flat Rock Elementary Anderson, SC 7.8
Harbison West Elementary Columbia, SC 7.8
Joseph Keels Elementary Columbia, SC 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cherokee Trail Elementary

What grades does Cherokee Trail Elementary serve?

Cherokee Trail Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 7th.

How many students attend Cherokee Trail Elementary?

Cherokee Trail Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 424 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cherokee Trail Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Cherokee Trail Elementary is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cherokee Trail Elementary rank in SC?

Cherokee Trail Elementary is ranked #162 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Cherokee Trail Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Cherokee Trail 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 Cherokee Trail Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cherokee Trail Elementary has 57.7% math proficiency and 56.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cherokee Trail Elementary a charter school?

No, Cherokee Trail Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cherokee Trail Elementary a Title I school?

No, Cherokee Trail Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cherokee Trail Elementary?

65.1% of students at Cherokee Trail 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (653/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 7th
Enrollment
424
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Abbeville County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Abbeville 60
District Enrollment
2,802
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,331
District Rank
#2 of 8

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 methodology

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