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Below Average

#1003 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

4.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina schools

#1,003 of 1,176

In Aiken

#13 of 16

public schools

In district

#31 of 39

Aiken 01

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J. D. Lever Elementary

4.2/10

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

Tall Pines Stem Academy

8.0/10

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

Aiken Intermediate

6.4/10

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

About J. D. Lever Elementary

J. D. Lever Elementary is a public elementary school in Aiken, SC, part of Aiken 01.

J. D. Lever Elementary serves approximately 463 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio.

J. D. Lever Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,003 of 1,176 schools in SC.

Structured state assessment records for J. D. Lever Elementary show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.5 pts below district
  • This school 4.2 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • SC avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

J. D. Lever Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

35% of students at J. D. Lever Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.1Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.18 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.6Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,967
Chronic Absenteeism34.6%

J. D. Lever Elementary — Students at J. D. Lever Elementary score 30% 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 48.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 46.1% (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
84%
ELA
89%
2010
Math
69%
ELA
74%
2011
Math
66%
ELA
73%
2012
Math
69%
ELA
76%
2013
Math
67%
ELA
68%
2014
Math
40%
ELA
18%
2015
Math
33%
ELA
25%
2016
Math
31%
ELA
28%
2017
Math
34%
ELA
30%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
40%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
40%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
29%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
29%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
27%

* 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: 4.1/10.

How J. D. Lever Elementary Compares

See how J. D. Lever Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
15th percentile in SC
Academic
4.6/10
Below Average
Growth
4.1/10
Below Average
Environment
4.1/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.6%

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

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 8.0
Aiken Intermediate Aiken 4.8 mi 6.4
North Aiken Elementary Aiken 4.7 mi 3.0
Aiken High Aiken 5.2 mi 6.6
SECOND BAPTIST CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY SCHOOL Aiken 6.0 mi 7.0
Schofield Middle Aiken 6.2 mi 2.5
East Aiken School of the Arts Aiken 6.5 mi 6.9
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 7.4
Millbrook Elementary Aiken 8.5 mi 6.1
SOUTH AIKEN PRESBYTERIAN KINDERGARTEN Aiken 8.6 mi
M. B. Kennedy Middle Aiken 8.7 mi 3.4
South Aiken High Aiken 8.8 mi 7.8
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Alexander Elementary Greenville, SC 4.2
Forest Heights Elementary Columbia, SC 4.2
Greendale Elementary New Ellenton, SC 4.2
McDonald Elementary Georgetown, SC 4.2
Nevitt Forest Elementary Anderson, SC 4.2
North Vista Elementary Florence, SC 4.2

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 ranks #1,003 of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is J. D. Lever Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

J. D. Lever Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 J. D. Lever Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, J. D. Lever Elementary has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
17 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.6%

District

Aiken 01
District Enrollment
23,103
Schools in District
41
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,967
District Rank
#31 of 39

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