Below Average
#952 of 1,176 schools in SC
Clay Hill Elementary
Elementary School · Dorchester 04
387 South Railroad Avenue, Ridgeville, SC 29472
Enrollment
173
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
173
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina elementary schools
#535 of 680
In district
#6 of 6
Dorchester 04
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Clay Hill Elementary
Clay Hill Elementary in Ridgeville, South Carolina, is a small rural public elementary school serving students from pre-K through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 173 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child's educational needs. Located on South Railroad Avenue, Clay Hill Elementary has a dedicated team of 13 full-time equivalent teachers committed to supporting their young learners.
While the school’s MySchoolScout rating is currently at 4.8 out of 10 and its state ranking places it in the 36th percentile, there's room for academic growth with continued support and improvement efforts. Students are working on proficiency levels in both ELA/Reading (36%) and Math (33%), indicating areas where focused initiatives could make a significant difference. Clay Hill Elementary is nestled in a rural setting near Ridgeville, providing a close-knit community feel that fosters strong relationships between students, teachers, and families.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 173 students, Clay Hill Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Located in a rural area, Clay Hill 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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Clay Hill Elementary — Students at Clay Hill Elementary score 34% 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
↓ 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: 2.6/10.
How Clay Hill Elementary Compares
See how Clay Hill Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 24.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 44.5% (2022).
Location
387 South Railroad Avenue, Ridgeville, SC 29472
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Clay Hill Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Summerville Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Summerville), which scores notably higher. Another option is William M. Reeves Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Summerville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Harleyville Elementary (rated 5.8/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Dorchester), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Ridgeville, see our Ridgeville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MacDougall High Ridgeville | 5.4 mi | — |
| Harleyville Elementary Dorchester | 5.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Harleyville-Ridgeville Middle Dorchester | 5.7 mi | 6.3 |
| William M. Reeves Elementary Summerville | 5.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Charles B. DuBose Middle Summerville | 6.0 mi | 3.7 |
| PINEWOOD PREPARATORY SCHOOL Summerville | 6.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Knightsville Elementary Summerville | 7.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Summerville High Summerville | 8.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Gregg Middle Summerville | 9.0 mi | 3.6 |
| Alston-Bailey Elementary Summerville | 8.5 mi | 2.8 |
| Alston Middle Summerville | 8.6 mi | 5.1 |
| TRINITY CLASSICAL ACADEMY Summerville | 9.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Rollings Middle School of the Arts Summerville | 10.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Sand Hill Elementary Summerville | 10.1 mi | 3.4 |
| Newington Elementary Summerville | 9.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Flowertown Elementary Summerville | 9.5 mi | 4.8 |
| BETHANY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Summerville | 9.3 mi | — |
| Summerville Elementary Summerville | 9.4 mi | 7.1 |
| James H. Spann Elementary Summerville | 9.6 mi | 4.5 |
| CHARIS ACADEMY Summerville | 9.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29472 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$73,207
Median Home Value
$246,000
Median Rent
$935/mo
Population
11,531
College Educated
16.5%
Homeownership
84.9%
Avg Commute
42.7 min
Poverty Rate
10.8%
Median Age
40.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Clay Hill Elementary has a median household income of $73,207. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $246,000, with a median rent of $935/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.8%. The average commute in the area is 43 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Brown's Ferry Elementary School for the Creative and Perform Georgetown, SC | 4.7 |
| Bennettsville Intermediate Bennettsville, SC | 5.0 |
| Coastal Montessori Charter Pawleys Island, SC | 5.0 |
| Academy of Hope Charter Conway, SC | 4.5 |
| Arden Elementary Columbia, SC | 5.1 |
| Edward E. Taylor Elementary Columbia, SC | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Clay Hill Elementary
What grades does Clay Hill Elementary serve?
Clay Hill Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Clay Hill Elementary?
Clay Hill Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 173 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Clay Hill Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Clay Hill Elementary is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Clay Hill Elementary rank in SC?
Clay Hill Elementary is ranked #952 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Clay Hill Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Clay Hill Elementary has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Clay Hill Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Clay Hill Elementary has 32.8% math proficiency and 36.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Clay Hill Elementary a charter school?
No, Clay Hill Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Clay Hill Elementary a Title I school?
No, Clay Hill Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Clay Hill Elementary?
100.0% of students at Clay Hill 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 (898/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 173
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Dorchester County
- Phone
- (843) 851-7386
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Dorchester 04- District Enrollment
- 2,160
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,434
- District Rank
- #6 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.
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