Average
#684 of 1,176 schools in SC
Forts Pond Elementary
Elementary School · Lexington 01
7350 Fish Hatchery Road, Pelion, SC 29123
Enrollment
505
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
505
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pelion
#2 of 4
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#390 of 680
In district
#16 of 30
Lexington 01
School environment
8.3 / 10
Very strong
About Forts Pond Elementary
Forts Pond Elementary in Pelion, South Carolina is a rural public school that serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 505 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1, the school offers a personalized learning environment with dedicated teachers who are full-time equivalents. Academically, Forts Pond Elementary has room for improvement, as reflected in its MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and state ranking at #832 out of 1192 schools in South Carolina (placing it around the 30th percentile).
The school's average proficiency rates in ELA/Reading and Math are 29% and 33%, respectively, indicating areas where growth is needed. Despite these challenges, the teachers work diligently to support student development. The setting of Forts Pond Elementary is a rural area with a close-knit community that values education and supports its local school.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Forts Pond Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Forts Pond Elementary — Students at Forts Pond Elementary score 32% 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
→ StableAverage 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: 5.6/10.
How Forts Pond Elementary Compares
See how Forts Pond Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 33% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 31% (2019) to 32% (2022).
Location
7350 Fish Hatchery Road, Pelion, SC 29123
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Forts Pond Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Congaree Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby West Columbia), which scores notably higher. Another option is Saxe Gotha Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Lexington), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Sandhills Primary (rated 6.7/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Swansea), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Pelion, see our Pelion schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pelion Middle Pelion | 1.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Pelion High Pelion | 1.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Pelion Elementary Pelion | 1.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Sandhills Middle Gaston | 6.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Carolina Springs Elementary Lexington | 7.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Carolina Springs Middle Lexington | 8.1 mi | 5.9 |
| White Knoll High Lexington | 8.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Deerfield Elementary Lexington | 9.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Swansea High Freshman Academy Swansea | 8.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Saxe Gotha Elementary Lexington | 9.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Sandhills Elementary Swansea | 8.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Sandhills Primary Swansea | 8.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Lexington Four Early Childhood Center Swansea | 8.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Frances F. Mack Intermediate Gaston | 8.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Swansea High Swansea | 8.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Red Bank Elementary Lexington | 11.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Cyril B. Busbee Elementary Wagener | 10.8 mi | 2.9 |
| White Knoll Elementary West Columbia | 11.7 mi | 3.6 |
| A. L. Corbett Middle Wagener | 10.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Congaree Elementary West Columbia | 11.2 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29123 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,437
Median Home Value
$145,400
Median Rent
$888/mo
Population
8,024
College Educated
12.7%
Homeownership
76.2%
Avg Commute
33.3 min
Poverty Rate
23.3%
Median Age
38.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Forts Pond Elementary has a median household income of $56,437. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $145,400, with a median rent of $888/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary Charleston, SC | 6.0 |
| Eleanor S. Rice Elementary Greenwood, SC | 6.0 |
| Latta Elementary Latta, SC | 6.0 |
| Leaphart Elementary Columbia, SC | 6.0 |
| Little Mountain Elementary Little Mountain, SC | 6.0 |
| Marshall Primary Belton, SC | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Forts Pond Elementary
What grades does Forts Pond Elementary serve?
Forts Pond Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Forts Pond Elementary?
Forts Pond Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 505 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Forts Pond Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Forts Pond Elementary is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Forts Pond Elementary rank in SC?
Forts Pond Elementary is ranked #684 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Forts Pond Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Forts Pond Elementary has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Forts Pond Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Forts Pond Elementary has 32.7% math proficiency and 29.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Forts Pond Elementary a charter school?
No, Forts Pond Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Forts Pond Elementary a Title I school?
No, Forts Pond Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Forts Pond Elementary?
100.0% of students at Forts Pond 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 (7,532/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pelion). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 505
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Lexington County
- Phone
- (803) 821-2500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lexington 01- District Enrollment
- 27,105
- Schools in District
- 31
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,591
- District Rank
- #16 of 30
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.
Read our full methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.