Very Good
#301 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 26% in state
James Island Elementary
Elementary School · Charleston 01
1872 Grimball Road, Charleston, SC 29412
Enrollment
616
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
616
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Charleston
#21 of 31
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#184 of 680
In district
#41 of 79
Charleston 01
Academic growth
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About James Island Elementary
James Island Elementary is a regular public elementary school nestled in the suburban area of Charleston, South Carolina. The school serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students and boasts an enrollment of 616 pupils with a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1, ensuring that each child receives individualized attention from its dedicated team of 38 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, James Island Elementary holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and is ranked 366th out of 1192 schools in South Carolina, placing it firmly in the 69th percentile among state schools.
The school’s academic score reflects a solid foundation, with 52% of students proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading and 51% meeting proficiency standards in Math. While there is room for growth in these areas, the school continues to focus on developing its students' skills and fostering an enriching learning environment. James Island Elementary is situated in a vibrant suburban community where families are actively involved in their children’s education.
The setting offers a mix of green spaces and residential neighborhoods, making it a welcoming place for young learners to thrive.
Score Breakdown
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James Island Elementary — Students at James Island Elementary score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.2%
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
↑ 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: 8.2/10.
How James Island Elementary Compares
See how James Island Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 52% (2019) to 54% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 52% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
1872 Grimball Road, Charleston, SC 29412
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Island Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Murray-LaSaine Montessori (rated 8.4/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 5.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, St. Andrew's School of Math and Science (rated 8.1/10, 5.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Charleston, see our Charleston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NATIVITY SCHOOL Charleston | 1.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Camp Road Middle Charleston | 2.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Murray-LaSaine Montessori Charleston | 2.9 mi | 8.4 |
| James Island Charter High Charleston | 3.1 mi | 8.6 |
| Harbor View Elementary Charleston | 3.7 mi | 7.8 |
| JAMES ISLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Charleston | 3.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Stiles Point Elementary Charleston | 3.6 mi | 7.5 |
| PORTER-GAUD SCHOOL Charleston | 4.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Mt. Zion Elementary Johns Island | 4.3 mi | 7.6 |
| St. Andrew's School of Math and Science Charleston | 5.2 mi | 8.1 |
| OAK GROVE MONTESSORI Charleston | 5.3 mi | — |
| BLESSED SACRAMENT SCHOOL Charleston | 5.5 mi | 8.3 |
| MASON PREPARATORY SCHOOL Charleston | 5.5 mi | 6.2 |
| FIRST BAPTIST SCHOOL OF CHARLESTON Charleston | 5.6 mi | 7.0 |
| CHARLES TOWNE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Charleston | 5.8 mi | 6.5 |
| THE COOPER SCHOOL Charleston | 5.9 mi | 7.2 |
| CHARLESTON DAY SCHOOL Charleston | 5.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Stono Park Elementary Charleston | 5.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Memminger Elementary Charleston | 5.9 mi | 7.9 |
| NE MILES EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Charleston | 5.9 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29412 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$99,443
Median Home Value
$458,000
Median Rent
$1,744/mo
Population
40,495
College Educated
54.8%
Homeownership
72.5%
Avg Commute
23.1 min
Poverty Rate
7.8%
Median Age
40
Community Profile
The community surrounding James Island Elementary has a median household income of $99,443. It is a well-educated community where 55% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $458,000, with a median rent of $1,744/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Allendale-Fairfax Elementary Fairfax, SC | 7.3 |
| Buford Elementary Lancaster, SC | 7.3 |
| Clemson Elementary Clemson, SC | 7.3 |
| Hunt Meadows Elementary Easley, SC | 7.3 |
| Mountain View Elementary Taylors, SC | 7.3 |
| Savannah Grove Elementary Effingham, SC | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Island Elementary
What grades does James Island Elementary serve?
James Island Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend James Island Elementary?
James Island Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 616 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Island Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at James Island Elementary is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James Island Elementary rank in SC?
James Island Elementary is ranked #301 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is James Island Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
James Island Elementary has a composite rating of 7.3 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 James Island Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Island Elementary has 51.3% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James Island Elementary a charter school?
No, James Island Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Island Elementary a Title I school?
No, James Island Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Island Elementary?
44.2% of students at James Island 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 (Charleston). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 616
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Charleston County
- Phone
- (843) 762-8240
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charleston 01- District Enrollment
- 50,400
- Schools in District
- 82
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,635
- District Rank
- #41 of 79
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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