Needs Improvement
#1136 of 1,176 schools in SC
Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center
Elementary School · Charleston 01
3180 Thomasina McPherson Boulevard, North Charleston, SC 29405
Enrollment
259
Student-Teacher
10:1
Score
3.0
Grades
Pre-K – Kindergarten
Enrollment
259
Student-Teacher
10:1
Score
3.0
Grades
Pre-K – Kindergarten
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In North Charleston
#26 of 30
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#652 of 680
In district
#76 of 79
Charleston 01
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center
Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center serves 259 young learners in prekindergarten through kindergarten in North Charleston, providing a focused foundation for students' educational journey. With 26 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent 10.0:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for personalized attention during these crucial early learning years. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout Rating and ranking #151 out of 1,192 schools statewide, placing it in the 87th percentile among South Carolina schools.
This strong standing reflects the school's commitment to early childhood education and development. Located on Thomasina McPherson Boulevard, Mary Ford serves families in a diverse community where the median household income is $47,532 and about one in four residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher. The neighborhood's median home value of $221,100 indicates a stable residential area, while the school works with families across various economic backgrounds, with 18.1% of the local population living below the poverty line.
As a regular public elementary school specializing in early childhood education, Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center operates within North Charleston's mid-size city environment, providing essential educational services to young children and their families in Charleston County.
Score Breakdown
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Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center — Students at Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center score 14% 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 (2018-19)
Based on 22 test records from SC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 1.2/10.
How Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center Compares
See how Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2009) to 12% (2019). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2009) to 17% (2019).
Location
3180 Thomasina McPherson Boulevard, North Charleston, SC 29405
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Orange Grove Charter School (rated 8.5/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Charleston), which scores notably higher. Another option is Malcolm C. Hursey Montessori (rated 7.5/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CHARLESTON BILINGUAL ACADEMY (rated 6.8/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in North Charleston, see our North Charleston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Greg Mathis Charter High North Charleston | 0.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Chicora Elementary North Charleston | 0.5 mi | 2.9 |
| OWENS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY North Charleston | 0.7 mi | — |
| Military Magnet Academy North Charleston | 0.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Allegro Charter School of Music North Charleston | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Meeting Street Elementary North Charleston | 1.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Malcolm C. Hursey Montessori North Charleston | 1.9 mi | 7.5 |
| North Charleston High North Charleston | 2.2 mi | 6.9 |
| North Charleston Elementary North Charleston | 2.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Orange Grove Charter School Charleston | 2.4 mi | 8.5 |
| Morningside Middle North Charleston | 2.4 mi | 3.9 |
| TRINITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Charleston | 2.5 mi | — |
| CHARLESTON BILINGUAL ACADEMY North Charleston | 2.7 mi | 6.8 |
| Charleston School of the Arts North Charleston | 2.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Academic Magnet High North Charleston | 2.8 mi | 9.0 |
| North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary North Charleston | 2.9 mi | 6.4 |
| CHARLESTON CLASSICAL SCHOOL North Charleston | 3.7 mi | — |
| Charleston Charter School for Math and Science Charleston | 3.6 mi | 7.0 |
| ADDLESTONE HEBREW ACADEMY Charleston | 3.5 mi | 6.5 |
| James Simons Montessori Charleston | 3.7 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29405 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,566
Median Home Value
$266,200
Median Rent
$1,196/mo
Population
26,717
College Educated
26.9%
Homeownership
46.9%
Avg Commute
19.7 min
Poverty Rate
17.5%
Median Age
39.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center has a median household income of $54,566. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $266,200, with a median rent of $1,196/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.5%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Chicora Elementary North Charleston, SC | 2.9 |
| Wallace Gregg Elementary Florence, SC | 2.9 |
| Main Street Elementary Lake City, SC | 3.2 |
| Pageland Elementary Pageland, SC | 3.2 |
| A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia, SC | 3.3 |
| Bethune-Bowman Elementary Rowesville, SC | 2.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center
What grades does Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center serve?
Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center serves students in grades Pre-K through Kindergarten.
How many students attend Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center?
Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center has an enrollment of approximately 259 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center?
The student-teacher ratio at Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center is 10:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center rank in SC?
Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center is ranked #1136 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center has a composite rating of 3.0 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 Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center has 34.8% math proficiency and 38.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center a charter school?
No, Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center a Title I school?
No, Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center?
100.0% of students at Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning and Family Center 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – Kindergarten
- Enrollment
- 259
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Charleston County
- Chronic Absenteeism
- 17.0%
- Phone
- (843) 745-7131
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charleston 01- District Enrollment
- 50,400
- Schools in District
- 82
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,635
- District Rank
- #76 of 79
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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