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Very Good

#327 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 28% in state

Joanna Woodson Elementary

Elementary School · Laurens 56

510 South Ellis Street, Joanna, SC 29351

Enrollment

300

Student-Teacher

12:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina elementary schools

#199 of 680

In district

#4 of 6

Laurens 56

School environment

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Joanna Woodson Elementary

Joanna Woodson Elementary is a rural public school located in Joanna, South Carolina. Situated at 510 South Ellis Street, the school serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade with an enrollment of 300 students. The student-to-teacher ratio stands at 12:1, providing a supportive and personalized learning environment.

With 25 full-time equivalent teachers, Joanna Woodson Elementary aims to offer quality education despite its MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10. Academically, the school ranks 628th out of 1192 schools in South Carolina, placing it in the 47th percentile overall. In reading and ELA, 30% of students are proficient or above, while in math, that number increases to 39%.

While these figures indicate room for improvement, they also highlight the school’s commitment to student development. Set in a quiet rural area, Joanna Woodson Elementary is part of a close-knit community where families and educators work together to support young learners.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Joanna Woodson 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 Progress7.5Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.6Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,184

Joanna Woodson Elementary — Students at Joanna Woodson Elementary score 34% 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 38.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 30.3%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
37%
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: 7.5/10.

How Joanna Woodson Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
72th percentile in SC
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

510 South Ellis Street, Joanna, SC 29351

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Joanna Woodson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Whitmire Community School (Elementary) (rated 8.4/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Whitmire), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eastside Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 4.9 miles away, in nearby Clinton), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Summit Classical School (rated 7.1/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Clinton), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Joanna, see our Joanna schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Eastside Elementary Clinton 4.9 mi 7.5
Clinton Elementary Clinton 5.3 mi 5.0
Clinton High Clinton 6.0 mi 6.9
Summit Classical School Clinton 5.8 mi 7.1
Clinton Middle Clinton 6.0 mi 7.5
Thornwell Charter School Clinton 5.8 mi 7.3
M. S. Bailey Child Development Center Clinton 6.7 mi 7.7
Whitmire Community School (Elementary) Whitmire 11.2 mi 8.4
Whitmire Community School (High) Whitmire 11.2 mi 6.2
Reuben Elementary Newberry 12.8 mi 5.8
Sanders Middle Laurens 12.6 mi 4.1
Ford Elementary Laurens 13.3 mi 6.7
Newberry Elementary Newberry 13.6 mi 3.8
Newberry Middle Newberry 13.9 mi 5.3
NEWBERRY ACADEMY Newberry 13.6 mi 6.5
Boundary St. Elementary Newberry 14.5 mi 5.5
Waterloo Elementary Waterloo 13.8 mi 4.3
E. B. Morse Elementary Laurens 14.2 mi 6.7
Laurens Middle Laurens 14.4 mi 4.7
Gallman Elementary Newberry 15.5 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29351 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,169

Median Home Value

$107,800

Median Rent

$597/mo

Population

1,375

College Educated

14.1%

Homeownership

63.4%

Poverty Rate

17.2%

Median Age

42.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Joanna Woodson Elementary has a median household income of $42,169. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $107,800, with a median rent of $597/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.2%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Chester Park Elementary School for the Arts Chester, SC 7.2
Felton Laboratory Charter School Orangeburg, SC 7.2
Greeleyville Primary Greeleyville, SC 7.2
Mossy Oaks Elementary Beaufort, SC 7.2
Port Royal Elementary Port Royal, SC 7.3
Savannah Grove Elementary Effingham, SC 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Joanna Woodson Elementary

What grades does Joanna Woodson Elementary serve?

Joanna Woodson Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Joanna Woodson Elementary?

Joanna Woodson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 300 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Joanna Woodson Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Joanna Woodson Elementary is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Joanna Woodson Elementary rank in SC?

Joanna Woodson Elementary is ranked #327 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Joanna Woodson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Joanna Woodson Elementary has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Joanna Woodson Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Joanna Woodson Elementary has 38.7% math proficiency and 30.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Joanna Woodson Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Joanna Woodson Elementary a Title I school?

No, Joanna Woodson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

100.0% of students at Joanna Woodson 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
7 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (1,258/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
300
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Laurens County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Laurens 56
District Enrollment
2,706
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,618
District Rank
#4 of 6

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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