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Needs Improvement

#1086 of 1,176 schools in SC

Jefferson Elementary

Elementary School · Chesterfield 01

809 West Elizabeth Street, Jefferson, SC 29718

Enrollment

326

Student-Teacher

9.9:1

Score

3.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Jefferson

#2 of 2

public schools

South Carolina elementary schools

#626 of 680

In district

#14 of 16

Chesterfield 01

School environment

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Jefferson Elementary

Jefferson Elementary, situated in the rural community of Jefferson, South Carolina, is a regular public school that serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 326 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each child thrive academically and socially. The dedicated teaching staff consists of 33 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their young learners.

Jefferson Elementary’s academic performance, as reflected in its MySchoolScout Rating of 4.2 out of 10 and a state ranking of #926 out of 1192 schools (placing it around the 22nd percentile), suggests there is room for improvement. In terms of proficiency rates, 37% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 44% meet or exceed standards in Math. The school community focuses on fostering a supportive and nurturing environment to help its students reach their full potential.

Jefferson Elementary stands out as an essential part of the rural Jefferson area, where it plays a vital role in providing quality education to young residents.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, Jefferson Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Jefferson 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 metrics
Student Progress1.3Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-7.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,179

Jefferson Elementary — Students at Jefferson 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 43.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
62%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
32%

* 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: 1.3/10.

How Jefferson Elementary Compares

See how Jefferson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
8th percentile in SC
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
1.3/10
Below average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers

Location

809 West Elizabeth Street, Jefferson, SC 29718

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jefferson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Union Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 18.4 miles away, in nearby Wingate), which scores notably higher. Another option is Buford Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Lancaster), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kershaw Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Kershaw), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Jefferson, see our Jefferson schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.9 mi
School Distance Rating
VICTORY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY/TSHUWAH HEBREW ACADEMY Jefferson 2.8 mi
New Heights Middle Jefferson 3.4 mi 5.1
Central High Pageland 7.8 mi 3.9
Pageland Elementary Pageland 8.5 mi 6.1
SOUTH POINTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pageland 8.9 mi 6.5
Petersburg Primary Pageland 9.4 mi 6.1
Kershaw Elementary Kershaw 12.5 mi 7.2
Andrew Jackson High Kershaw 13.1 mi 7.5
Andrew Jackson Middle Kershaw 13.3 mi 4.8
Ruby Elementary Ruby 13.7 mi 4.2
McBee High Mcbee 14.9 mi 6.8
McBee Elementary Mcbee 15.2 mi 6.5
North Central High Kershaw 16.4 mi 6.3
Buford High Lancaster 14.9 mi 9.1
North Central Elementary Kershaw 16.7 mi 5.3
North Central Middle Kershaw 16.7 mi 7.0
Buford Elementary Lancaster 15.3 mi 7.3
Buford Middle Lancaster 15.3 mi 5.9
Union Elementary Wingate 18.4 mi 8.9
Chesterfield-Ruby Middle Chesterfield 15.9 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29718 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,035

Median Home Value

$116,700

Median Rent

$618/mo

Population

4,049

College Educated

10.9%

Homeownership

78.4%

Avg Commute

26.3 min

Poverty Rate

11.5%

Median Age

40.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Jefferson Elementary has a median household income of $57,035. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $116,700, with a median rent of $618/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.5%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Gallman Elementary Newberry, SC 3.9
Woodland Heights Elementary Spartanburg, SC 3.9
Clio Elementary Clio, SC 4.0
Cotton Belt Elementary York, SC 3.8
Harold C. Johnson Elementary York, SC 4.0
Henry Timrod Elementary Florence, SC 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jefferson Elementary

What grades does Jefferson Elementary serve?

Jefferson Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Jefferson Elementary?

Jefferson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 326 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson Elementary is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Jefferson Elementary rank in SC?

Jefferson Elementary is ranked #1086 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Jefferson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Jefferson Elementary has a composite rating of 3.9 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 Jefferson Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jefferson Elementary has 43.7% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Jefferson Elementary a charter school?

No, Jefferson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Jefferson Elementary a Title I school?

No, Jefferson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jefferson Elementary?

100.0% of students at Jefferson 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

County Safety
High (1,914/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
326
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Chesterfield County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Chesterfield 01
District Enrollment
6,975
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,181
District Rank
#14 of 16

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 methodology

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