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Below Average

#919 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

4.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina schools

#919 of 1,176

In Walhalla

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#16 of 16

Oconee 01

School environment

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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James M. Brown Elementary

4.7/10

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

Faith Christian School

Nearby

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

New Haven Christian School

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

About James M. Brown Elementary

James M. Brown Elementary is a public elementary school in Walhalla, SC, part of Oconee 01. James M.

Brown Elementary serves approximately 548 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.1:1 student-teacher ratio. James M. Brown Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #919 of 1,176 schools in SC.

Structured state assessment records for James M. Brown Elementary show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.6 pts below district
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • SC avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

James M. Brown 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.0Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.58 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
Resources & Environment8.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,323
Chronic Absenteeism20.4%

James M. Brown Elementary — Students at James M. Brown Elementary score 32% 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 47.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.1% (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
76%
ELA
83%
2010
Math
74%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
72%
ELA
73%
2012
Math
72%
ELA
78%
2013
Math
77%
ELA
79%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
26%
2015
Math
36%
ELA
32%
2016
Math
35%
ELA
30%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
31%
2018
Math
34%
ELA
35%
2019
Math
34%
ELA
35%
2020*
Math
24%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
24%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
33%

* 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: 3.0/10.

How James M. Brown Elementary Compares

See how James M. Brown Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
22th percentile in SC
Academic
4.9/10
Below Average
Growth
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.7/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
20.4%

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

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. Northside Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Seneca), which scores notably higher. Another option is Walhalla Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby West Union), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tamassee-Salem Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Tamassee), which scores notably 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 6.6
Walhalla Elementary West Union 3.0 mi 6.9
Walhalla High Walhalla 4.4 mi 7.1
Westminster Elementary Westminster 5.9 mi 6.0
West Oak Middle Westminster 5.9 mi 4.9
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 6.8
Seneca High Seneca 8.1 mi 7.1
Tamassee-Salem Elementary Tamassee 9.3 mi 6.9
Seneca Middle Seneca 8.8 mi 5.8
Northside Elementary Seneca 8.5 mi 7.2
WHETSTONE ACADEMY LLC Mountain Rest 9.0 mi 6.5
West-Oak High Westminster 9.9 mi 6.3
TRINITY BAPTIST PRESCHOOL Seneca 9.3 mi
Blue Ridge Elementary Seneca 9.7 mi 5.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Doby's Mill Elementary Lugoff, SC 4.7
Eleanor S. Rice Elementary Greenwood, SC 4.7
Mary H. Wright Elementary Spartanburg, SC 4.7
Orchard Park Elementary Westminster, SC 4.7
Polo Road Elementary Columbia, SC 4.7
Sandel Elementary Columbia, SC 4.7

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 ranks #919 of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is James M. Brown Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

James M. Brown Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 James M. Brown Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, James M. Brown Elementary has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
19 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
20.4%

District

Oconee 01
District Enrollment
10,076
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,323
District Rank
#16 of 16

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