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Average

#534 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 45% in state

Fort Dorchester Elementary

Elementary School · Dorchester 02

5201 Old Glory Lane, Summerville, SC 29485

Enrollment

860

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

6.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina schools

#534 of 1,176

In Summerville

#11 of 26

public schools

In district

#9 of 25

Dorchester 02

Academic performance

7.0 / 10

Very Good

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Fort Dorchester Elementary

6.5/10

Elementary School in Summerville · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Oakbrook Middle

3.7/10

1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Oakbrook Elementary

4.5/10

1.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Fort Dorchester Elementary

Fort Dorchester Elementary is a public elementary school in Summerville, SC, part of Dorchester 02. Fort Dorchester Elementary serves approximately 860 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Fort Dorchester Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #534 of 1,176 schools in SC.

Structured state assessment records for Fort Dorchester Elementary show 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 6.5 · Average
  • District avg 5.8
  • SC avg 6.1

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.7Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.04 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency58% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency55% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)59% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-3.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,212
Chronic Absenteeism18.1%

Fort Dorchester Elementary — Students at Fort Dorchester Elementary score 55% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 72.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 73.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
92%
ELA
95%
2010
Math
89%
ELA
91%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
92%
2012
Math
92%
ELA
94%
2013
Math
88%
ELA
91%
2014
Math
67%
ELA
51%
2015
Math
65%
ELA
65%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
69%
2017
Math
68%
ELA
68%
2018
Math
76%
ELA
72%
2019
Math
76%
ELA
72%
2020*
Math
48%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
48%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
58%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Fort Dorchester Elementary Compares

See how Fort Dorchester Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
55th percentile in SC
Academic
7.0/10
Very Good
Growth
6.7/10
Average
Environment
5.1/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
59 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.1%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. SUMMERVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 5.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Dr. Eugene Sires Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 3.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Joseph R. Pye Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Ladson), with a very similar rating. 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 3.7
Oakbrook Elementary Ladson 1.6 mi 4.5
Joseph R. Pye Elementary Ladson 1.8 mi 6.2
Fort Dorchester High North Charleston 1.7 mi 7.4
River Oaks Middle North Charleston 2.0 mi 2.6
Eagle Nest Elementary North Charleston 2.1 mi 4.1
Windsor Hill Arts Infused Elementary North Charleston 2.1 mi 4.8
Lowcountry Connection Academy Summerville 2.8 mi 2.7
CATHEDRAL ACADEMY North Charleston 2.8 mi 6.8
Dr. Eugene Sires Elementary Summerville 3.3 mi 6.7
Ladson Elementary Ladson 3.8 mi 3.4
RB Stall High North Charleston 3.5 mi 6.3
Pepperhill Elementary North Charleston 3.6 mi 3.7
Palmetto Scholars Academy North Charleston 4.4 mi 7.8
Hunley Park Elementary North Charleston 4.9 mi 5.8
Northwoods Middle North Charleston 4.7 mi 3.9
SUMMERVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Summerville 5.4 mi 7.0
A. C. Corcoran Elementary North Charleston 4.8 mi 3.0
Pinehurst Elementary North Charleston 4.8 mi 4.0
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Anderson Mill Elementary Moore, SC 6.5
Bridge Creek Elementary Elgin, SC 6.5
Hickory Tavern Elementary/Middle Gray Court, SC 6.5
Lake Forest Elementary Greenville, SC 6.5
Mathews Elementary Greenwood, SC 6.5
Mauldin Elementary Simpsonville, SC 6.5

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 ranks #534 of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Fort Dorchester Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Fort Dorchester Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Fort Dorchester Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Fort Dorchester Elementary has 73% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
47 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.1%

District

Dorchester 02
District Enrollment
26,547
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,212
District Rank
#9 of 25

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