Needs Improvement
#1128 of 1,176 schools in SC
J. D. Lever Elementary
Elementary School · Aiken 01
2404 Columbia Highway, Aiken, SC 29801
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
3.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Aiken
#15 of 16
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#653 of 680
In district
#35 of 39
Aiken 01
About J. D. Lever Elementary
J. D. Lever Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Aiken, South Carolina, in the rural outskirts of town.
The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 463 students with a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1. J. D.
Lever Elementary boasts a team of 34 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education. The academic performance at J. D.
Lever Elementary shows room for growth, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1018 out of 1192 schools in South Carolina (15th percentile). In terms of proficiency levels, 32% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 37% achieve this mark in Math. Despite these scores indicating areas where improvement is needed, the school remains committed to student development and continuous learning.
J. D. Lever Elementary sits near the rural edge of Aiken, offering a close-knit community setting for students and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, J. D. Lever 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
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J. D. Lever Elementary — Students at J. D. Lever Elementary score 30% 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
↓ 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: 1.9/10.
How J. D. Lever Elementary Compares
See how J. D. Lever Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
2404 Columbia Highway, Aiken, SC 29801
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering J. D. Lever Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Graniteville Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Graniteville), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 6.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SECOND BAPTIST CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 6.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Aiken, see our Aiken schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Tall Pines STEM Academy Aiken | 4.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Aiken Intermediate Aiken | 4.8 mi | 6.4 |
| North Aiken Elementary Aiken | 4.7 mi | 3.7 |
| Aiken High Aiken | 5.2 mi | 5.5 |
| SECOND BAPTIST CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY SCHOOL Aiken | 6.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Schofield Middle Aiken | 6.2 mi | 3.8 |
| East Aiken School of the Arts Aiken | 6.5 mi | 6.6 |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH PRESCHOOL Aiken | 6.2 mi | — |
| AIKENS FBC PRESCHOOL Aiken | 6.3 mi | — |
| ST JOHN'S METHODIST KINDERGARTEN Aiken | 6.3 mi | — |
| ST MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Aiken | 6.5 mi | 7.1 |
| MEAD HALL EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Aiken | 6.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Horse Creek Academy Aiken | 7.8 mi | — |
| Aiken Scholars Academy Aiken | 7.3 mi | 7.6 |
| Millbrook Elementary Aiken | 8.5 mi | 6.8 |
| SOUTH AIKEN PRESBYTERIAN KINDERGARTEN Aiken | 8.6 mi | — |
| M. B. Kennedy Middle Aiken | 8.7 mi | 2.8 |
| South Aiken High Aiken | 8.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Aiken Elementary Aiken | 9.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Graniteville Elementary Graniteville | 9.7 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,032
Median Home Value
$163,900
Median Rent
$1,070/mo
Population
30,088
College Educated
27.8%
Homeownership
65.9%
Avg Commute
24.5 min
Poverty Rate
21.9%
Median Age
39.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding J. D. Lever Elementary has a median household income of $55,032. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $163,900, with a median rent of $1,070/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Belvedere Elementary Belvedere, SC | 3.5 |
| Elloree Elementary Elloree, SC | 3.5 |
| Hagood Elementary Pickens, SC | 3.6 |
| Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary Beaufort, SC | 3.6 |
| Main Street Elementary Lake City, SC | 3.6 |
| Northside Elementary Walterboro, SC | 3.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about J. D. Lever Elementary
What grades does J. D. Lever Elementary serve?
J. D. Lever Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend J. D. Lever Elementary?
J. D. Lever Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 463 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at J. D. Lever Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at J. D. Lever Elementary is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does J. D. Lever Elementary rank in SC?
J. D. Lever Elementary is ranked #1128 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is J. D. Lever Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
J. D. Lever Elementary has a composite rating of 3.5 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 J. D. Lever Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, J. D. Lever Elementary has 37.0% math proficiency and 32.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is J. D. Lever Elementary a charter school?
No, J. D. Lever Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is J. D. Lever Elementary a Title I school?
No, J. D. Lever Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for J. D. Lever Elementary?
100.0% of students at J. D. Lever 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 (4,539/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Aiken). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 463
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Aiken County
- Phone
- (803) 641-2760
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Aiken 01- District Enrollment
- 23,103
- Schools in District
- 41
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,967
- District Rank
- #35 of 39
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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