Very Good
#229 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 19% in state
J. L. Cain Elementary
Elementary School · Darlington 01
607 First Street, Darlington, SC 29532
Enrollment
569
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
569
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Darlington
#3 of 7
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#139 of 680
In district
#8 of 18
Darlington 01
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About J. L. Cain Elementary
J. L. Cain Elementary is a regular public elementary school in Darlington, South Carolina, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
With an enrollment of 569 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.2:1, the school provides a relatively small classroom setting that allows for personalized attention. J. L.
Cain Elementary is located on First Street in a small suburban area, offering a community-focused educational environment. While the academic performance data indicates room for improvement—with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and a state ranking at #767 among 1192 schools in South Carolina—J. L.
Cain Elementary is committed to supporting its students' development. In terms of proficiency, only 26% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 18% are proficient or above in Math. The school continues to work on enhancing these metrics.
Nestled in a supportive suburban community, J. L. Cain Elementary benefits from the close-knit nature of its neighborhood, fostering strong ties between families and educators.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at J. L. Cain Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
J. L. Cain Elementary — Students at J. L. Cain Elementary score 24% 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 3 test records from SC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.8/10.
How J. L. Cain Elementary Compares
See how J. L. Cain Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 15% (2021) to 22% (2022).
Location
607 First Street, Darlington, SC 29532
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering J. L. Cain Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST ANTHONY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.7/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Florence), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pate Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 2.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Lucy T. Davis Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Florence), a more accessible option. For more schools in Darlington, see our Darlington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mayo High For Math Science & Technology Darlington | 0.6 mi | 8.0 |
| St. John's Elementary Darlington | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Brockington Elementary Darlington | 1.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Darlington High Darlington | 2.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Pate Elementary Darlington | 2.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Virtus Academy of South Carolina Florence | 4.4 mi | 5.4 |
| TEMPLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Darlington | 4.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Darlington Middle Darlington | 4.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Lucy T. Davis Elementary Florence | 6.0 mi | 6.4 |
| John W. Moore Middle Florence | 6.2 mi | 4.8 |
| TRINITY COLLEGIATE SCHOOL Darlington | 5.6 mi | 6.5 |
| ST ANTHONY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Florence | 6.8 mi | 8.7 |
| West Florence High Florence | 7.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Carver Elementary Florence | 6.8 mi | 5.6 |
| R.N. Beck Child Development Center Florence | 7.5 mi | 6.9 |
| THE KING'S ACADEMY Florence | 8.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Williams Middle Florence | 7.5 mi | 6.5 |
| MARANATHA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Florence | 8.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Henry L. Sneed Middle Florence | 8.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Child Development Center at Woods Road Florence | 8.2 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29532 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$41,810
Median Home Value
$120,400
Median Rent
$885/mo
Population
20,272
College Educated
15.1%
Homeownership
63.5%
Avg Commute
20.3 min
Poverty Rate
18.8%
Median Age
43.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding J. L. Cain Elementary has a median household income of $41,810. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $120,400, with a median rent of $885/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.8%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Augusta Circle Elementary Greenville, SC | 7.6 |
| Batesburg-Leesville Primary School Batesburg-Leesville, SC | 7.6 |
| Drayton Hall Elementary Charleston, SC | 7.6 |
| Lambs Elementary North Charleston, SC | 7.6 |
| Malcolm C. Hursey Montessori North Charleston, SC | 7.6 |
| Saluda Elementary Saluda, SC | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about J. L. Cain Elementary
What grades does J. L. Cain Elementary serve?
J. L. Cain Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend J. L. Cain Elementary?
J. L. Cain Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 569 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at J. L. Cain Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at J. L. Cain Elementary is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does J. L. Cain Elementary rank in SC?
J. L. Cain Elementary is ranked #229 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is J. L. Cain Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
J. L. Cain Elementary has a composite rating of 7.6 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. L. Cain Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, J. L. Cain Elementary has 18.5% math proficiency and 26.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is J. L. Cain Elementary a charter school?
No, J. L. Cain Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is J. L. Cain Elementary a Title I school?
No, J. L. Cain Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for J. L. Cain Elementary?
100.0% of students at J. L. Cain 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Darlington). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 569
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Darlington County
- Phone
- (843) 398-6220
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Darlington 01- District Enrollment
- 8,862
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,420
- District Rank
- #8 of 18
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.