Average
#653 of 1,176 schools in SC
James M. Brown Elementary
Elementary School · Oconee 01
225 Coffee Road, Walhalla, SC 29691
Enrollment
548
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
548
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Walhalla
#3 of 3
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#372 of 680
In district
#11 of 16
Oconee 01
School environment
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About James M. Brown Elementary
James M. Brown Elementary is a public elementary school located in Walhalla, South Carolina, within Oconee County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 548 students with a student-teacher ratio of 10.1:1.
With 54 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, the school provides personalized attention to each child. James M. Brown Elementary’s academic performance is currently ranked at the 30th percentile in South Carolina, placing it at number 834 out of 1192 schools statewide.
The MySchoolScout rating for the school is 4.6/10, and the academic score stands at 3.2/10. In terms of subject proficiency, 32% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 29% meet or exceed standards in math. Located near a town but situated in a rural setting, James M.
Brown Elementary benefits from the close-knit community spirit and natural surroundings. The school focuses on supporting its diverse student body with room for academic growth and continuous improvement.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, James M. Brown 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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James M. Brown Elementary — Students at James M. Brown Elementary score 32% 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
→ StableAverage 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: 5.7/10.
How James M. Brown Elementary Compares
See how James M. Brown Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 35% (2019) to 33% (2022).
Location
225 Coffee Road, Walhalla, SC 29691
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James M. Brown Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Tamassee-Salem Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Tamassee), which scores notably higher. Another option is Westminster Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Westminster), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Keowee Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Seneca), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Walhalla, see our Walhalla schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Walhalla | 0.6 mi | — |
| NEW HAVEN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Walhalla | 1.1 mi | — |
| Walhalla Middle Walhalla | 2.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Walhalla Elementary West Union | 3.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Walhalla High Walhalla | 4.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Westminster Elementary Westminster | 5.9 mi | 7.8 |
| West Oak Middle Westminster | 5.9 mi | 5.9 |
| OCONEE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Seneca | 5.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Orchard Park Elementary Westminster | 6.6 mi | 4.7 |
| FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Westminster | 7.1 mi | 6.2 |
| FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Westminster | 7.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Keowee Elementary Seneca | 7.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Seneca High Seneca | 8.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Tamassee-Salem Elementary Tamassee | 9.3 mi | 8.5 |
| Seneca Middle Seneca | 8.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Northside Elementary Seneca | 8.5 mi | 7.0 |
| WHETSTONE ACADEMY LLC Mountain Rest | 9.0 mi | 6.5 |
| West-Oak High Westminster | 9.9 mi | 6.7 |
| TRINITY BAPTIST PRESCHOOL Seneca | 9.3 mi | — |
| Blue Ridge Elementary Seneca | 9.7 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29691 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$52,722
Median Home Value
$179,700
Median Rent
$792/mo
Population
12,248
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
71%
Avg Commute
27.4 min
Poverty Rate
24%
Median Age
45.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding James M. Brown Elementary has a median household income of $52,722. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $179,700, with a median rent of $792/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Doby's Mill Elementary Lugoff, SC | 6.1 |
| Eagle Nest Elementary North Charleston, SC | 6.1 |
| Homeland Park Primary Anderson, SC | 6.1 |
| Liberty Primary Liberty, SC | 6.1 |
| MITCHELL ROAD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Greenville, SC | 6.1 |
| Pageland Elementary Pageland, SC | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James M. Brown Elementary
What grades does James M. Brown Elementary serve?
James M. Brown Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend James M. Brown Elementary?
James M. Brown Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 548 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James M. Brown Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at James M. Brown Elementary is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James M. Brown Elementary rank in SC?
James M. Brown Elementary is ranked #653 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is James M. Brown Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
James M. Brown Elementary has a composite rating of 6.1 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 M. Brown Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James M. Brown Elementary has 29.3% math proficiency and 31.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James M. Brown Elementary a charter school?
No, James M. Brown Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James M. Brown Elementary a Title I school?
No, James M. Brown Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James M. Brown Elementary?
100.0% of students at James M. Brown 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
- Elevated (1,038/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Walhalla). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 548
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 54
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Oconee County
- Phone
- (864) 886-4470
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Oconee 01- District Enrollment
- 10,076
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,323
- District Rank
- #11 of 16
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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