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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.91 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,578

Clay Hill Elementary — Students at Clay Hill Elementary score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 32.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 36.2%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
4.8/10
19th percentile in SC
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
2.6/10
Below average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Dorchester 04
District Enrollment
2,160
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,434
District Rank
#6 of 6

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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