Very Good
#316 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 27% in state
J. L. Cain Elementary
Elementary School · Darlington 01
607 First Street, Darlington, SC 29532
Enrollment
569
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
569
Student-Teacher
14.2:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#316 of 1,176
In Darlington
#3 of 7
public schools
In district
#9 of 18
Darlington 01
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Excellent
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J. L. Cain Elementary
Elementary School in Darlington · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mayo High for Math Science & Technology
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
St. John's Elementary
1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About J. L. Cain Elementary
J. L. Cain Elementary is a public elementary school in Darlington, SC, part of Darlington 01.
J. L. Cain Elementary serves approximately 569 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio.
J. L. Cain Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #316 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for J. L. Cain Elementary show 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (2022 EdFacts).
- This school 7.3 · Very Good
- District avg 6.2
- SC avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at J. L. Cain Elementary sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
38% of students at J. L. Cain 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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 4 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: 9.9/10.
How J. L. Cain Elementary Compares
See how J. L. Cain Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 Lucy T. Davis Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Florence), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Pate Elementary (rated 6.0/10, 2.2 miles away), 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 | 8.7 |
| St. John's Elementary Darlington | 1.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Brockington Elementary Darlington | 1.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Darlington High Darlington | 2.1 mi | 8.9 |
| Pate Elementary Darlington | 2.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Virtus Academy of South Carolina Florence | 4.4 mi | 5.9 |
| TEMPLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Darlington | 4.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Darlington Middle Darlington | 4.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Lucy T. Davis Elementary Florence | 6.0 mi | 7.8 |
| John W. Moore Middle Florence | 6.2 mi | 4.5 |
| 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 | 8.1 |
| Carver Elementary Florence | 6.8 mi | 5.5 |
| R.N. Beck Child Development Center Florence | 7.5 mi | 4.7 |
| THE KING'S ACADEMY Florence | 8.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Williams Middle Florence | 7.5 mi | 5.9 |
| MARANATHA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Florence | 8.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Henry L. Sneed Middle Florence | 8.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Child Development Center at Woods Road Florence | 8.2 mi | 5.1 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bennettsville Primary Bennettsville, SC | 7.3 |
| Clinton Elementary Clinton, SC | 7.3 |
| Cowpens Elementary Cowpens, SC | 7.3 |
| Fair-Oak Elementary Westminster, SC | 7.3 |
| Gateway Elementary Travelers Rest, SC | 7.3 |
| Howe Hall AIMS Elementary Goose Creek, SC | 7.3 |
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 ranks #316 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is J. L. Cain Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
J. L. Cain Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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. L. Cain Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, J. L. Cain Elementary has 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (2022 EdFacts).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 37.8%
- Phone
- (843) 398-6220
Resources & Links
District
Darlington 01- District Enrollment
- 8,862
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,420
- District Rank
- #9 of 18
Other Schools in This District
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