Average
#821 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
5.5
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
368
Student-Teacher
15.3:1
Score
5.5
Grades
3rd – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kingstree
#2 of 3
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#461 of 680
In district
#6 of 9
Williamsburg 01
School environment
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy
Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy is an elementary school located in Kingstree, South Carolina, within Williamsburg County. The school serves students from third to fifth grade and has a total enrollment of 368 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.3:1 and 24 full-time equivalent teachers, the school aims to provide individualized attention to each student.
Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy is situated in a rural area near Kingstree, offering a close-knit community feel for its students. The school’s academic performance currently places it at the lower end of South Carolina's ranking, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.9 out of 10. In terms of proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) and Reading, only 20% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, the percentage is slightly lower at 16%.
These scores indicate areas where the school can focus on improving student outcomes. Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy is part of a rural setting that provides a supportive environment for its students to grow and develop.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy 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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Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy — Students at Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy score 20% 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: 6.1/10.
How Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy Compares
See how Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 19% (2019) to 18% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 22% (2022).
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. C. E. Murray Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Greeleyville), which scores notably higher. Another option is J. C. Lynch Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 20.1 miles away, in nearby Coward), which scores notably higher. Additionally, W.M. Anderson Primary (rated 7.6/10, 1.6 miles away), 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 | 4.9 |
| KINGSTREE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kingstree | 1.1 mi | — |
| WILLIAMSBURG KINDERGARTEN DAYCARE Kingstree | 1.4 mi | — |
| W.M. Anderson Primary Kingstree | 1.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Kingstree High Kingstree | 2.6 mi | — |
| Greeleyville Primary Greeleyville | 11.7 mi | 7.2 |
| C. E. Murray Elementary Greeleyville | 11.7 mi | 8.0 |
| C. E. Murray Middle Greeleyville | 11.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Ronald E. McNair Jr. High Lake City | 13.1 mi | 5.1 |
| THE CAROLINA ACADEMY Lake City | 13.4 mi | 4.8 |
| J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts and Science Magnet Lake City | 13.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Main Street Elementary Lake City | 13.6 mi | 3.6 |
| Lake City High Lake City | 14.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Lake City Early Childhood Center Lake City | 14.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Scranton Elementary Scranton | 16.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Walker-Gamble Elementary New Zion | 15.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Olanta Elementary Olanta | 18.1 mi | 7.6 |
| East Clarendon Middle-High Turbeville | 17.4 mi | — |
| J. C. Lynch Elementary Coward | 20.1 mi | 7.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy has a median household income of $42,413. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $100,700, with a median rent of $703/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Boundary St. Elementary Newberry, SC | 5.5 |
| Cheraw Intermediate Cheraw, SC | 5.5 |
| Jefferson Elementary York, SC | 5.5 |
| Midland Park Primary North Charleston, SC | 5.5 |
| Ninety Six Primary Ninety Six, SC | 5.5 |
| Arcadia Elementary Spartanburg, SC | 5.4 |
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 is ranked #821 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy has 15.7% math proficiency and 20.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (8,838/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kingstree). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (843) 355-7233
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Williamsburg 01- District Enrollment
- 2,822
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,582
- District Rank
- #6 of 9
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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