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Needs Improvement

#1106 of 1,176 schools in SC

Cotton Belt Elementary

Elementary School · York 01

1176 Black Highway, York, SC 29745

Enrollment

424

Student-Teacher

13.2:1

Score

3.8

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In York

#7 of 7

public schools

South Carolina elementary schools

#637 of 680

In district

#8 of 8

York 01

School environment

7.5 / 10

Very strong

About Cotton Belt Elementary

Cotton Belt Elementary is a regular public school in York, South Carolina, located on the edge of an urban area. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, the school has an enrollment of 424 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.2:1. The faculty consists of 32 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing a supportive educational environment.

According to MySchoolScout’s ranking system, Cotton Belt Elementary scores a 4.2 out of 10 overall and is ranked #938 among South Carolina's 1,192 schools, placing it in the 21st percentile. Academically, the school shows that 45% of students are proficient or above in math and 40% in English language arts (ELA). While these scores indicate areas with room for growth, Cotton Belt Elementary is committed to enhancing its curriculum and supporting student development.

The town setting around Cotton Belt Elementary is a welcoming community on the outskirts of an urban area, offering a blend of small-town charm and nearby city amenities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.8Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.11 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-12.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,508

Cotton Belt Elementary — Students at Cotton Belt Elementary score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 40.3%
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
47%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
37%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How Cotton Belt Elementary Compares

See how Cotton Belt Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.8/10
6th percentile in SC
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Growth
1.8/10
Below average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

1176 Black Highway, York, SC 29745

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cotton Belt Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bethel Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Clover), which scores notably higher. Another option is Larne Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Clover), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bethany Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Clover), which scores notably higher. For more schools in York, see our York schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.7 mi
School Distance Rating
York Comprehensive High York 1.9 mi 5.1
Harold C. Johnson Elementary York 2.3 mi 4.0
York Intermediate York 2.7 mi 6.3
York Middle York 3.0 mi 5.3
Hunter Street Elementary York 2.8 mi 6.9
Jefferson Elementary York 3.2 mi 5.5
Larne Elementary Clover 6.0 mi 7.8
Kinard Elementary Clover 7.2 mi 4.9
Clover High Clover 7.5 mi 7.5
Bethany Elementary Clover 8.3 mi 7.1
Clover Middle Clover 8.8 mi 6.7
Griggs Road Elementary Clover 8.4 mi 5.8
Hickory Grove-Sharon Elementary Hickory Grove 8.4 mi 6.2
Bethel Elementary Clover 9.3 mi 8.0
Riverwalk Academy Rock Hill 8.8 mi 7.4
York Preparatory Academy Rock Hill 9.5 mi 7.2
LAKE POINTE ACADEMY York 10.2 mi 5.5
Rawlinson Road Middle Rock Hill 10.4 mi 5.5
Old Pointe Elementary Rock Hill 10.5 mi 6.2
Northwestern High Rock Hill 10.7 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29745 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,665

Median Home Value

$242,200

Median Rent

$961/mo

Population

34,738

College Educated

21.2%

Homeownership

80.6%

Avg Commute

28.9 min

Poverty Rate

9.4%

Median Age

42.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cotton Belt Elementary has a median household income of $75,665. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $242,200, with a median rent of $961/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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
High Hills Elementary Shaw Air Force Base, SC 3.8
Inman Elementary Inman, SC 3.8
Newberry Elementary Newberry, SC 3.8
R. E. Davis College Preparatory Academy Sumter, SC 3.8
A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia, SC 3.7
Cherryvale Elementary Sumter, SC 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cotton Belt Elementary

What grades does Cotton Belt Elementary serve?

Cotton Belt Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Cotton Belt Elementary?

Cotton Belt Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 424 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cotton Belt Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Cotton Belt Elementary 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 Cotton Belt Elementary rank in SC?

Cotton Belt Elementary is ranked #1106 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Cotton Belt Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Cotton Belt Elementary has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Cotton Belt Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cotton Belt Elementary has 45.3% math proficiency and 40.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cotton Belt Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Cotton Belt Elementary a Title I school?

No, Cotton Belt Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cotton Belt Elementary?

71.0% of students at Cotton Belt 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

City Safety
High (3,790/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (York). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
424
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
71.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
York County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

York 01
District Enrollment
4,993
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,172
District Rank
#8 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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