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Very Good

#285 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 24% in state

Discovery Charter of Lancaster

Elementary School · Lancaster 01

302 West Dunlap Street, Lancaster, SC 29720

Charter

Enrollment

130

Student-Teacher

16.2:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lancaster

#3 of 14

public schools

South Carolina elementary schools

#173 of 680

In district

#5 of 22

Lancaster 01

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Discovery Charter of Lancaster

Discovery Charter of Lancaster is a charter school located in the heart of Lancaster, South Carolina. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, this elementary school offers an intimate learning environment with an enrollment of 130 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1. The dedicated faculty consists of eight full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support each child’s educational journey.

Academically, Discovery Charter has earned a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and is ranked 375th among the 1192 schools in South Carolina, placing it in the 69th percentile overall. In recent assessments, 51% of students were proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 48% reached proficiency or higher in Math. These scores indicate that there is room for academic growth and improvement.

Discovery Charter of Lancaster provides a unique educational experience within its charter framework, fostering a supportive community where students can thrive. The school’s setting in the town of Lancaster offers easy access to local resources and activities, creating a welcoming environment for families looking for a strong elementary education option.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 130 students, Discovery Charter of Lancaster 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.

Discovery Charter of Lancaster is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.5%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.7Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,853

Discovery Charter of Lancaster — Students at Discovery Charter of Lancaster score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 51.2%
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
44.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Discovery Charter of Lancaster Compares

See how Discovery Charter of Lancaster performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
76th percentile in SC
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
3.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Location

302 West Dunlap Street, Lancaster, SC 29720

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Discovery Charter of Lancaster may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Van Wyck Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 9.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Waxhaw Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Waxhaw), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Buford Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 8.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lancaster, see our Lancaster schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Lancaster High Lancaster 0.6 mi 5.4
Clinton Elementary Lancaster 0.6 mi 4.6
North Elementary Lancaster 1.0 mi 5.9
South Middle Lancaster 1.3 mi 3.5
Brooklyn Springs Elementary Lancaster 1.4 mi 4.7
A. R. Rucker Middle Lancaster 2.0 mi 3.4
Erwin Elementary Lancaster 2.3 mi 3.3
CAROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lancaster 2.6 mi 5.9
TENDERHEARTS Lancaster 3.4 mi
McDonald Green Elementary Lancaster 4.5 mi 5.9
Van Wyck Elementary Lancaster 9.6 mi 7.9
Heath Springs Elementary Heath Springs 9.7 mi 4.7
Buford Middle Lancaster 8.7 mi 5.9
Buford Elementary Lancaster 8.8 mi 7.3
Buford High Lancaster 9.0 mi 9.1
Indian Land High Lancaster 12.1 mi 5.9
Great Falls Elementary Great Falls 12.3 mi 6.9
Great Falls High Great Falls 12.8 mi 7.4
Waxhaw Elementary Waxhaw 14.0 mi 7.6
South Providence Waxhaw 14.1 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29720 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,039

Median Home Value

$212,800

Median Rent

$845/mo

Population

51,603

College Educated

22.2%

Homeownership

77.7%

Avg Commute

30 min

Poverty Rate

17.4%

Median Age

41.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Discovery Charter of Lancaster has a median household income of $59,039. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $212,800, with a median rent of $845/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.4%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
DIVINE REDEEMER SCHOOL Hanahan, SC 7.4
Edith L. Frierson Elementary Wadmalaw Island, SC 7.5
John C. Calhoun Elementary Calhoun Falls, SC 7.3
Gadsden Elementary Gadsden, SC 7.2
J. K. Gourdin Elementary Pineville, SC 7.2
MAY RIVER MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bluffton, SC 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Discovery Charter of Lancaster

What grades does Discovery Charter of Lancaster serve?

Discovery Charter of Lancaster serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Discovery Charter of Lancaster?

Discovery Charter of Lancaster has an enrollment of approximately 130 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Discovery Charter of Lancaster?

The student-teacher ratio at Discovery Charter of Lancaster is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Discovery Charter of Lancaster rank in SC?

Discovery Charter of Lancaster is ranked #285 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Discovery Charter of Lancaster's MySchoolScout rating?

Discovery Charter of Lancaster has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Discovery Charter of Lancaster?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Discovery Charter of Lancaster has 47.8% math proficiency and 51.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Discovery Charter of Lancaster a charter school?

Yes, Discovery Charter of Lancaster is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Discovery Charter of Lancaster a Title I school?

No, Discovery Charter of Lancaster is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Discovery Charter of Lancaster?

73.1% of students at Discovery Charter of Lancaster 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
62 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (7,243/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
130
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Lancaster County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Lancaster 01
District Enrollment
15,298
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,216
District Rank
#5 of 22

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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