Needs Improvement
#1101 of 1,176 schools in SC
Fort Dorchester Elementary
Elementary School · Dorchester 02
5201 Old Glory Lane, Summerville, SC 29485
Enrollment
860
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
860
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Summerville
#20 of 26
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#632 of 680
In district
#20 of 25
Dorchester 02
Academic performance
7.1 / 10
Strong
About Fort Dorchester Elementary
Fort Dorchester Elementary serves around 860 students in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth in Summerville, a mid-size city in Dorchester County. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.6 to 1, with 59 full-time equivalent teachers supporting students across its classrooms. Academically, the school is working toward strengthening its core instruction.
In English language arts, approximately 62 percent of students are performing at or above proficiency levels, while in math, about 59 percent of students are meeting proficiency benchmarks. These results reflect areas where the school is focused on continued student development and growth. The school's overall academic score is 6.9 out of 10, and it ranks in the 53rd percentile among South Carolina's schools, placing it near the middle of the state's rankings.
Fort Dorchester Elementary's approach balances foundational skills with school-wide support for its diverse student population. With nearly 860 students on campus, the school works to create an environment where young learners in the pre-K through fifth-grade range can build essential academic and social-emotional foundations. Located in Summerville's mid-size community setting, Fort Dorchester Elementary serves families throughout the area seeking a neighborhood public school option.
Score Breakdown
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Fort Dorchester Elementary — Students at Fort Dorchester Elementary score 55% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.6%
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: 1.5/10.
How Fort Dorchester Elementary Compares
See how Fort Dorchester Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 76% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 58% (2022).
Location
5201 Old Glory Lane, Summerville, SC 29485
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fort Dorchester Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hunley Park Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby North Charleston), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pepperhill Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby North Charleston), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SUMMERVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 5.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Summerville, see our Summerville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Oakbrook Middle Ladson | 1.5 mi | 3.4 |
| Oakbrook Elementary Ladson | 1.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Joseph R. Pye Elementary Ladson | 1.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Fort Dorchester High North Charleston | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| River Oaks Middle North Charleston | 2.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Eagle Nest Elementary North Charleston | 2.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Windsor Hill Arts Infused Elementary North Charleston | 2.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Lowcountry Connection Academy Summerville | 2.8 mi | 2.2 |
| CATHEDRAL ACADEMY North Charleston | 2.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Dr. Eugene Sires Elementary Summerville | 3.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Ladson Elementary Ladson | 3.8 mi | 5.0 |
| RB Stall High North Charleston | 3.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Pepperhill Elementary North Charleston | 3.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Palmetto Scholars Academy North Charleston | 4.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Hunley Park Elementary North Charleston | 4.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Northwoods Middle North Charleston | 4.7 mi | 5.9 |
| SUMMERVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Summerville | 5.4 mi | 7.0 |
| A. C. Corcoran Elementary North Charleston | 4.8 mi | 3.7 |
| Pinehurst Elementary North Charleston | 4.8 mi | 3.9 |
| NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL North Charleston | 4.9 mi | 9.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29485 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$83,287
Median Home Value
$311,300
Median Rent
$1,473/mo
Population
58,670
College Educated
34.9%
Homeownership
72.6%
Avg Commute
28.9 min
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Median Age
37
Community Profile
The community surrounding Fort Dorchester Elementary has a median household income of $83,287. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $311,300, with a median rent of $1,473/month. The local poverty rate of 9.5% 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 |
|---|---|
| Cherrydale Elementary Greenville, SC | 3.8 |
| Inman Elementary Inman, SC | 3.8 |
| A. C. Corcoran Elementary North Charleston, SC | 3.7 |
| Berkeley Preparatory Academy Summerville, SC | 3.9 |
| Pinehurst Elementary North Charleston, SC | 3.9 |
| Six Mile Elementary Six Mile, SC | 3.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fort Dorchester Elementary
What grades does Fort Dorchester Elementary serve?
Fort Dorchester Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Fort Dorchester Elementary?
Fort Dorchester Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 860 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fort Dorchester Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Fort Dorchester Elementary is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fort Dorchester Elementary rank in SC?
Fort Dorchester Elementary is ranked #1101 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Fort Dorchester Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Fort Dorchester 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 Fort Dorchester Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fort Dorchester Elementary has 58.7% math proficiency and 62.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Fort Dorchester Elementary a charter school?
No, Fort Dorchester Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fort Dorchester Elementary a Title I school?
No, Fort Dorchester Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fort Dorchester Elementary?
50.6% of students at Fort Dorchester 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 (1,996/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Summerville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 860
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 59
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Dorchester County
- Phone
- (843) 832-5550
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Dorchester 02- District Enrollment
- 26,547
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,212
- District Rank
- #20 of 25
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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