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Average

#592 of 1,176 schools in SC

Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle

Elementary School · Laurens 55

163 Neely Ferry Road, Gray Court, SC 29645

Enrollment

621

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Gray Court

#1 of 2

public schools

South Carolina elementary schools

#337 of 680

In district

#3 of 9

Laurens 55

School environment

7.9 / 10

Very strong

About Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle

Hickory Tavern Elementary/Middle is a public school located in the rural community of Gray Court, South Carolina. Nestled along Neely Ferry Road, it serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 621 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child's learning needs.

The dedicated staff includes 50 full-time equivalent teachers committed to supporting the academic and social development of their students. Hickory Tavern Elementary/Middle has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10, placing it in the 22nd percentile among South Carolina schools. On average, 38% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, and 27% meet proficiency standards in math.

While these scores indicate room for academic growth, they also reflect a focus on student development and support. The school's setting within the rural area of Gray Court provides a close-knit community atmosphere where families are often closely involved with their children’s education and school activities. Hickory Tavern Elementary/Middle is an integral part of this tight-knit neighborhood, fostering strong bonds between students, teachers, and parents.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle 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 metrics
Student Progress6.2Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.96 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency40%
Overall Proficiency34%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-2.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.9Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,000

Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle — Students at Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 26.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
30%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
23%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
40%

* 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: 6.2/10.

How Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle Compares

See how Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
50th percentile in SC
Academic
5.3/10
5.3/10
Growth
6.2/10
Above average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers

Location

163 Neely Ferry Road, Gray Court, SC 29645

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Honea Path Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Honea Path), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fork Shoals School (rated 6.8/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Pelzer), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, E. B. Morse Elementary (rated 6.7/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Laurens), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Gray Court, see our Gray Court schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Ware Shoals Primary Ware Shoals 7.1 mi 4.6
Gray Court-Owings Elementary/Middle Gray Court 7.9 mi 5.8
Laurens District 55 High Laurens 6.9 mi 5.1
Ware Shoals High Ware Shoals 9.2 mi 7.0
Ware Shoals Elementary Middle Ware Shoals 9.4 mi 7.1
Laurens Elementary Laurens 8.4 mi 3.9
Laurens Middle Laurens 8.5 mi 4.7
E. B. Morse Elementary Laurens 8.7 mi 6.7
Fork Shoals School Pelzer 9.9 mi 6.8
Ralph Chandler Middle Simpsonville 10.5 mi 4.9
Fountain Inn Elementary Fountain Inn 12.1 mi 6.7
Sanders Middle Laurens 10.4 mi 4.1
Fountain Inn High Fountain Inn 12.9 mi 5.4
Ford Elementary Laurens 10.8 mi 6.7
Bryson Elementary Simpsonville 13.6 mi 6.0
Hillcrest High Simpsonville 13.9 mi 6.7
Waterloo Elementary Waterloo 13.0 mi 4.3
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Enoree 12.0 mi 4.7
Bryson Middle Simpsonville 14.1 mi 4.1
Honea Path Elementary Honea Path 12.2 mi 8.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29645 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,643

Median Home Value

$163,700

Median Rent

$906/mo

Population

11,212

College Educated

14.8%

Homeownership

79.5%

Avg Commute

25.6 min

Poverty Rate

16.8%

Median Age

44.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle has a median household income of $59,643. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $163,700, with a median rent of $906/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.8%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Carolina Voyager Charter Charleston, SC 6.3
Concord Elementary Anderson, SC 6.3
Cross Elementary Cross, SC 6.3
East North Street Academy Greenville, SC 6.3
Forest Hills Elementary Walterboro, SC 6.3
Johnsonville Elementary Johnsonville, SC 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle

What grades does Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle serve?

Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle?

Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle has an enrollment of approximately 621 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle rank in SC?

Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle is ranked #592 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle has 26.7% math proficiency and 37.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle a charter school?

No, Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle a Title I school?

No, Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle?

100.0% of students at Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle 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

County Safety
Elevated (1,258/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
621
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
50
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Laurens County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Laurens 55
District Enrollment
5,206
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,216
District Rank
#3 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.

Read our full methodology

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