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Needs Improvement

#1076 of 1,176 schools in SC

Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy

Elementary School · Williamsburg 01

1503 Woodland Drive, Kingstree, SC 29556

Enrollment

368

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

3.8

Grades

3rd – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina schools

#1,076 of 1,176

In Kingstree

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#9 of 9

Williamsburg 01

School environment

8.4 / 10

Excellent

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Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy

3.8/10

Elementary School in Kingstree · grades 3rd – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Williamsburg Academy

4.4/10

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

Kingstree Middle Magnet

4.7/10

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

About Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy

Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy is a public elementary school in Kingstree, SC, part of Williamsburg 01. Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy serves approximately 368 students, and covers grades 3rd-5th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,076 of 1,176 schools in SC.

Structured state assessment records for Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.2 pts below district
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 6.0
  • SC avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy 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 Progress2.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.84 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.0Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency20% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-16.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,582
Chronic Absenteeism25.3%

Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy — Students at Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy score 20% 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 32.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.6% (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
70%
ELA
74%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
69%
2011
Math
58%
ELA
66%
2012
Math
64%
ELA
70%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
18%
ELA
15%
2015
Math
20%
ELA
23%
2016
Math
15%
ELA
25%
2017
Math
18%
ELA
24%
2018
Math
19%
ELA
25%
2019
Math
19%
ELA
25%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
13%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
13%
2022
Math
18%
ELA
22%

* 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: 2.5/10.

How Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy Compares

See how Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.8/10
9th percentile in SC
Academic
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.4/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.3%

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

1503 Woodland Drive, Kingstree, SC 29556

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. W.M. Anderson Primary (rated 8.9/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is C. E. Murray Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Greeleyville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Walker-Gamble Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby New Zion), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kingstree, see our Kingstree schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.1 mi
School Distance Rating
WILLIAMSBURG ACADEMY Kingstree 0.6 mi 4.4
Kingstree Middle Magnet Kingstree 1.2 mi 4.7
KINGSTREE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kingstree 1.1 mi
WILLIAMSBURG KINDERGARTEN DAYCARE Kingstree 1.4 mi
W.M. Anderson Primary Kingstree 1.6 mi 8.9
Kingstree High Kingstree 2.6 mi
Greeleyville Primary Greeleyville 11.7 mi 4.9
C. E. Murray Elementary Greeleyville 11.7 mi 7.6
C. E. Murray Middle Greeleyville 11.7 mi 6.0
Ronald E. McNair Jr. High Lake City 13.1 mi 4.8
THE CAROLINA ACADEMY Lake City 13.4 mi 4.8
J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts and Science Magnet Lake City 13.5 mi 5.4
Main Street Elementary Lake City 13.6 mi 3.2
Lake City High Lake City 14.4 mi 7.3
Lake City Early Childhood Center Lake City 14.6 mi 6.6
Scranton Elementary Scranton 16.4 mi 5.8
Walker-Gamble Elementary New Zion 15.2 mi 7.6
Olanta Elementary Olanta 18.1 mi 4.1
East Clarendon Middle-High Turbeville 17.4 mi
J. C. Lynch Elementary Coward 20.1 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29556 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,413

Median Home Value

$100,700

Median Rent

$703/mo

Population

11,133

College Educated

17.4%

Homeownership

71.3%

Avg Commute

30.1 min

Poverty Rate

23.9%

Median Age

42.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Arcadia Elementary Spartanburg, SC 3.8
Harleyville Elementary Dorchester, SC 3.8
Seven Oaks Elementary Columbia, SC 3.8
Ford Elementary Laurens, SC 3.7
Homeland Park Primary Anderson, SC 3.7
Pepperhill Elementary North Charleston, SC 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy

What grades does Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy serve?

Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.

How many students attend Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy?

Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy has an enrollment of approximately 368 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy rank in SC?

Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy ranks #1,076 of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 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 Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy a charter school?

No, Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy a Title I school?

No, Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy?

100.0% of students at Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy 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
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
368
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Williamsburg County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.3%

District

Williamsburg 01
District Enrollment
2,822
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,582
District Rank
#9 of 9

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