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
Enrollment
621
Student-Teacher
12.4:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle — Students at Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle score 34% 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: 6.2/10.
How Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle Compares
See how Hickory Tavern Elementary/middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 41% (2019) to 40% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (864) 575-2126
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Laurens 55- District Enrollment
- 5,206
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,216
- District Rank
- #3 of 9
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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