Average
#456 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 39% in state
Lake Murray Elementary
Elementary School · Lexington 05
1531 Three Dog Road, Chapin, SC 29036
Enrollment
766
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
766
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Chapin
#5 of 8
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#273 of 680
In district
#10 of 22
Lexington 05
Academic performance
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Lake Murray Elementary
Lake Murray Elementary stands out as one of South Carolina's top-performing elementary schools, serving 766 students in kindergarten through fourth grade in Chapin. With a strong 8.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 27th among the state's 1,192 elementary schools, this public school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1 with 56 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive quality individual attention.
Academic performance is particularly impressive, with 79% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 77% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics across all grade levels. Lake Murray Elementary serves a well-educated and affluent community in the 29036 zip code area, where 51% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $111,654. The low poverty rate of just 3.8% reflects the economic stability of the neighborhood, with median home values around $363,200.
Located on Three Dog Road in Richland County, the school sits in a thriving large suburban area that attracts families seeking excellent educational opportunities combined with the benefits of suburban living.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Lake Murray Elementary — Students at Lake Murray Elementary score 78% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 73%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
19.6%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.1/10.
How Lake Murray Elementary Compares
See how Lake Murray Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 84% (2019) to 77% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 79% (2022).
Location
1531 Three Dog Road, Chapin, SC 29036
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lake Murray Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Chapin Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dutch Fork Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Irmo), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Piney Woods Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 5.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Chapin, see our Chapin schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Hill High Chapin | 2.3 mi | 8.8 |
| Chapin Middle Chapin | 2.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Ballentine Elementary Irmo | 2.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Chapin Intermediate Chapin | 3.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Chapin Elementary Chapin | 3.7 mi | 8.6 |
| ABNER MONTESSORI SCHOOL Chapin | 4.0 mi | — |
| ABNER MONTESSORI SCHOOL Chapin | 4.0 mi | — |
| Chapin High Chapin | 4.1 mi | 8.6 |
| Odyssey Online Learning Chapin | 4.3 mi | 5.0 |
| H. E. Corley Elementary Irmo | 4.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Dutch Fork Middle Irmo | 4.6 mi | 5.6 |
| VICTORY BIBLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Irmo | 4.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Dutch Fork High Irmo | 4.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Dutch Fork Elementary Irmo | 5.7 mi | 7.5 |
| GREEN Charter School Midlands Irmo | 6.0 mi | 4.7 |
| River Springs Elementary Irmo | 5.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Piney Woods Elementary Chapin | 5.9 mi | 7.1 |
| UNION UMC KINDERGARTEN Irmo | 6.2 mi | — |
| Irmo Elementary Irmo | 6.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Nursery Road Elementary Columbia | 7.1 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29036 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$116,438
Median Home Value
$378,100
Median Rent
$1,901/mo
Population
26,720
College Educated
48.7%
Homeownership
92.3%
Avg Commute
37 min
Poverty Rate
3.5%
Median Age
45.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lake Murray Elementary has a median household income of $116,438. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $378,100, with a median rent of $1,901/month. The local poverty rate of 3.5% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cherokee Charter Academy Gaffney, SC | 6.8 |
| Forest Lake Elementary Columbia, SC | 6.8 |
| Fork Shoals School Pelzer, SC | 6.8 |
| James H. Hendrix Elementary Boiling Springs, SC | 6.8 |
| Liberty STEAM Charter School Sumter, SC | 6.8 |
| Millbrook Elementary Aiken, SC | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lake Murray Elementary
What grades does Lake Murray Elementary serve?
Lake Murray Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.
How many students attend Lake Murray Elementary?
Lake Murray Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 766 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lake Murray Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Lake Murray Elementary is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lake Murray Elementary rank in SC?
Lake Murray Elementary is ranked #456 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Lake Murray Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Lake Murray Elementary has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Lake Murray Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lake Murray Elementary has 79.7% math proficiency and 81.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lake Murray Elementary a charter school?
No, Lake Murray Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lake Murray Elementary a Title I school?
No, Lake Murray Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lake Murray Elementary?
19.6% of students at Lake Murray 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,650/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Chapin). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 4th
- Enrollment
- 766
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 56
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 19.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Richland County
- Phone
- (803) 476-4600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lexington 05- District Enrollment
- 17,278
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,799
- District Rank
- #10 of 22
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.
Read our full methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.