Below Average
#1061 of 1,176 schools in SC
Limestone-central Elementary
Elementary School · Cherokee 01
727 Pacolet Highway, Gaffney, SC 29341
Enrollment
475
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
475
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gaffney
#9 of 11
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#609 of 680
In district
#11 of 14
Cherokee 01
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Limestone-central Elementary
Limestone-Central Elementary is a regular public school in Gaffney, South Carolina, located in the rural outskirts near this small town. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 475 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13.2:1. With 36 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Limestone-Central provides a supportive learning environment.
The academic performance of the school shows room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and state ranking at #1008 out of 1192 schools in South Carolina, placing it in the 16th percentile. Test scores reveal that 34% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 28% meet proficiency standards in math. Despite these challenges, Limestone-Central Elementary focuses on student development and works diligently to improve educational outcomes for its community.
The school's setting in a rural area adds a unique charm and sense of closeness among the students and families who call this small town home.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Limestone-central 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Limestone-central Elementary — Students at Limestone-central Elementary score 26% 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
↓ 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: 2.6/10.
How Limestone-central Elementary Compares
See how Limestone-central Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 20% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 32% (2022).
Location
727 Pacolet Highway, Gaffney, SC 29341
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Limestone-central Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Boiling Springs Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Shelby), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cannons Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Spartanburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cowpens Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Cowpens), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Gaffney, see our Gaffney schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gaffney High Gaffney | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| B. D. Lee Elementary Gaffney | 2.0 mi | 3.2 |
| Gaffney Middle Gaffney | 2.1 mi | 6.7 |
| John E. Ewing Middle Gaffney | 2.4 mi | 3.8 |
| Corinth Elementary Gaffney | 3.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Luther L. Vaughan Elementary Gaffney | 3.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Cherokee Charter Academy Gaffney | 4.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Grassy Pond Elementary Gaffney | 5.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Draytonville Elementary Gaffney | 5.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Northwest Elementary Gaffney | 6.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Cowpens Elementary Cowpens | 8.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Blacksburg Elementary Blacksburg | 9.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Blacksburg Middle Blacksburg | 9.9 mi | 4.0 |
| Blacksburg High Blacksburg | 10.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Pacolet Elementary Pacolet | 11.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Clifdale Middle Spartanburg | 10.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Broome High Spartanburg | 10.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Mayo Elementary Mayo | 10.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Boiling Springs Elementary Shelby | 13.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Cannons Elementary Spartanburg | 11.2 mi | 8.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29341 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,631
Median Home Value
$171,300
Median Rent
$857/mo
Population
19,564
College Educated
27%
Homeownership
72%
Avg Commute
22.6 min
Poverty Rate
16.8%
Median Age
37.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Limestone-central Elementary has a median household income of $55,631. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $171,300, with a median rent of $857/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.8%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Berkeley Elementary Moncks Corner, SC | 4.1 |
| Jonesville Elementary Middle Jonesville, SC | 4.1 |
| Pelion Elementary Pelion, SC | 4.1 |
| Seven Oaks Elementary Columbia, SC | 4.1 |
| Stewart Heights Elementary Dillon, SC | 4.1 |
| Harold C. Johnson Elementary York, SC | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Limestone-central Elementary
What grades does Limestone-central Elementary serve?
Limestone-central Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Limestone-central Elementary?
Limestone-central Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 475 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Limestone-central Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Limestone-central Elementary is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Limestone-central Elementary rank in SC?
Limestone-central Elementary is ranked #1061 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Limestone-central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Limestone-central Elementary has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Limestone-central Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Limestone-central Elementary has 27.7% math proficiency and 34.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Limestone-central Elementary a charter school?
No, Limestone-central Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Limestone-central Elementary a Title I school?
No, Limestone-central Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Limestone-central Elementary?
100.0% of students at Limestone-central 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 (4,436/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Gaffney). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 475
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Cherokee County
- Phone
- (864) 206-6620
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Cherokee 01- District Enrollment
- 7,712
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,668
- District Rank
- #11 of 14
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.