Average
#543 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 46% in state
Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry
Elementary School · Chester 01
835-C Lancaster Highway, Chester, SC 29706
Enrollment
382
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
382
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chester
#4 of 6
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#312 of 680
In district
#8 of 11
Chester 01
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry
Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry is a public elementary school in Chester, South Carolina. The school serves students from pre-K through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 382 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1. Located on Lancaster Highway, the setting is rural but near the town center, providing a close-knit community feel.
Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry focuses on fostering inquiry-based learning to engage young minds and encourage curiosity. While the school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 4.1 out of 10, which places it in the 21st percentile among South Carolina schools, there is room for academic growth and development. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 21%, and Math proficiency is slightly higher at 26%.
These figures indicate areas where the school can continue to improve student performance. The school's rural location offers a serene environment conducive to learning and community involvement.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry 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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Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry — Students at Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry score 27% 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: 7.1/10.
How Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry Compares
See how Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 20% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
835-C Lancaster Highway, Chester, SC 29706
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Academy for Teaching and Learning (rated 8.2/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oakdale Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Rock Hill), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Chester Park Elementary School of Literacy and Technology (rated 7.4/10), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Chester, see our Chester schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Chester Park Elementary School for the Arts Chester | 0.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Chester Park Elementary School of Literacy and Technology Chester | 0.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Chester Middle Chester | 0.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Academy for Teaching and Learning Chester | 1.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Chester Senior High Chester | 2.2 mi | 6.3 |
| HAWTHORNE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Chester | 3.9 mi | 6.7 |
| THE ACADEMY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rock Hill | 9.5 mi | — |
| Lewisville Middle Richburg | 9.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Lewisville High Richburg | 9.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Lewisville Elementary Richburg | 10.2 mi | 7.4 |
| South Pointe High Rock Hill | 13.8 mi | 8.7 |
| Saluda Trail Middle Rock Hill | 13.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Oakdale Elementary Rock Hill | 13.8 mi | 7.7 |
| York Preparatory Academy Rock Hill | 15.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Mount Holly Elementary Rock Hill | 15.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Sunset Park Center for Accelerated Studies Rock Hill | 16.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Northwestern High Rock Hill | 17.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Rawlinson Road Middle Rock Hill | 17.2 mi | 5.5 |
| York Road Elementary Rock Hill | 17.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Jefferson Elementary York | 17.7 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29706 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,141
Median Home Value
$142,200
Median Rent
$864/mo
Population
19,181
College Educated
14.5%
Homeownership
74.2%
Avg Commute
30.9 min
Poverty Rate
22%
Median Age
42.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry has a median household income of $50,141. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $142,200, with a median rent of $864/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 |
|---|---|
| Ballentine Elementary Irmo, SC | 6.4 |
| Cheraw Primary Cheraw, SC | 6.4 |
| Crosswell Elementary Easley, SC | 6.4 |
| Greendale Elementary New Ellenton, SC | 6.4 |
| Lexington Four Early Childhood Center Swansea, SC | 6.4 |
| New Prospect Elementary Anderson, SC | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry
What grades does Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry serve?
Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry?
Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry has an enrollment of approximately 382 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry?
The student-teacher ratio at Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry rank in SC?
Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry is ranked #543 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry's MySchoolScout rating?
Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry has 25.7% math proficiency and 21.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry a charter school?
No, Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry a Title I school?
No, Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry?
100.0% of students at Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry 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
- City Safety
- High (4,835/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chester). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 382
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Chester County
- Phone
- (803) 581-7282
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Chester 01- District Enrollment
- 4,590
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,920
- District Rank
- #8 of 11
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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