Average
#482 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 41% in state
Ford Elementary
Elementary School · Laurens 55
601 Lucas Avenue, Laurens, SC 29360
Enrollment
418
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
418
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Laurens
#1 of 6
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#284 of 680
In district
#1 of 9
Laurens 55
Academic growth
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Ford Elementary
Ford Elementary is a regular public school located in Laurens, South Carolina, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 418 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.7:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child's learning needs. Ford Elementary has 33 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting their students' growth.
While the academic performance metrics indicate room for improvement—with only 19% of students proficient in ELA/Reading and 18% proficient in Math—Ford Elementary is committed to enhancing its educational programs and fostering a supportive learning environment. The school aims to address the needs of all learners, focusing on development in core subjects. Situated in a town setting, Ford Elementary is part of the Laurens County community and plays an active role in nurturing young minds within this close-knit area.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Ford Elementary 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Ford Elementary — Students at Ford Elementary score 22% 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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.4/10.
How Ford Elementary Compares
See how Ford Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 19% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 17% (2019) to 22% (2022).
Location
601 Lucas Avenue, Laurens, SC 29360
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ford Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eastside Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Clinton), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Summit Classical School (rated 7.1/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Clinton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, E. B. Morse Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 3.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Laurens, see our Laurens schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sanders Middle Laurens | 2.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Laurens Elementary Laurens | 2.5 mi | 3.9 |
| E. B. Morse Elementary Laurens | 3.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Laurens Middle Laurens | 3.1 mi | 4.7 |
| LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Enoree | 4.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Laurens District 55 High Laurens | 4.3 mi | 5.1 |
| M. S. Bailey Child Development Center Clinton | 7.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Thornwell Charter School Clinton | 7.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Clinton Elementary Clinton | 8.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Summit Classical School Clinton | 7.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Clinton Middle Clinton | 8.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Clinton High Clinton | 8.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Eastside Elementary Clinton | 8.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Gray Court-Owings Elementary/Middle Gray Court | 9.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Waterloo Elementary Waterloo | 11.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Hickory Tavern Elementary/Middle Gray Court | 10.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Woodruff Primary Woodruff | 14.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Woodruff Elementary Woodruff | 14.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Woodruff High Woodruff | 14.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Woodruff Middle Woodruff | 14.8 mi | 3.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29360 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,846
Median Home Value
$151,500
Median Rent
$808/mo
Population
22,066
College Educated
14.6%
Homeownership
65%
Avg Commute
25.2 min
Poverty Rate
16.3%
Median Age
40.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ford Elementary has a median household income of $55,846. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $151,500, with a median rent of $808/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.3%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Creek Bridge STEM Academy Marion, SC | 6.7 |
| E. B. Morse Elementary Laurens, SC | 6.7 |
| Forest Heights Elementary Columbia, SC | 6.7 |
| Montessori Community School Charleston, SC | 6.7 |
| Sandhills Primary Swansea, SC | 6.7 |
| Slater Marietta Elementary Marietta, SC | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ford Elementary
What grades does Ford Elementary serve?
Ford Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Ford Elementary?
Ford Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 418 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ford Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Ford Elementary is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ford Elementary rank in SC?
Ford Elementary is ranked #482 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Ford Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ford Elementary has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Ford Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ford Elementary has 17.7% math proficiency and 18.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ford Elementary a charter school?
No, Ford Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ford Elementary a Title I school?
No, Ford Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ford Elementary?
100.0% of students at Ford 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
- City Safety
- High (3,930/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Laurens). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 418
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Laurens County
- Phone
- (864) 984-3986
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Laurens 55- District Enrollment
- 5,206
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,216
- District Rank
- #1 of 9
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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