Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#1159 of 1,176 schools in SC

Matilda F. Dunston Elementary

Elementary School · Charleston 01

1825 Remount Road, North Charleston, SC 29406

Enrollment

491

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

3.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In North Charleston

#30 of 30

public schools

South Carolina elementary schools

#669 of 680

In district

#79 of 79

Charleston 01

School environment

7.4 / 10

Strong

About Matilda F. Dunston Elementary

Matilda F. Dunston Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in North Charleston, South Carolina, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 491 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child's learning needs.

The dedicated teaching staff consists of 34 full-time equivalent educators who work hard to support every student. Academically, Matilda F. Dunston Elementary is currently ranked at the lower end of South Carolina’s public schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.4 out of 10.

Test results show that only 20% of students are proficient in ELA/Reading and 22% in Math. While these figures indicate areas for improvement, the school remains committed to fostering a supportive learning environment where every child can grow and develop. Set within the mid-size city of North Charleston, Matilda F.

Dunston Elementary is part of a vibrant community that values education and works together to provide opportunities for its young learners.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.8Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.33 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.2Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency17%
Overall Proficiency17%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-18.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,213

Matilda F. Dunston Elementary — Students at Matilda F. Dunston Elementary score 17% 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 22.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 20.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
17%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How Matilda F. Dunston Elementary Compares

See how Matilda F. Dunston Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.0/10
2th percentile in SC
Academic
2.2/10
2.2/10
Growth
1.8/10
Below average
Environment
7.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

1825 Remount Road, North Charleston, SC 29406

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Matilda F. Dunston Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Malcolm C. Hursey Montessori (rated 7.6/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is DIVINE REDEEMER SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby Hanahan), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CHARLESTON BILINGUAL ACADEMY (rated 6.8/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in North Charleston, see our North Charleston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Lowcountry Acceleration Academy N. Charleston 0.7 mi 5.4
Hanahan High Hanahan 1.1 mi 6.7
Learn4Life High School-Charleston N. Charleston 1.0 mi 4.7
North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary North Charleston 1.1 mi 5.0
Hanahan Middle Hanahan 1.0 mi 3.4
Charleston School of the Arts North Charleston 1.2 mi 7.6
Academic Magnet High North Charleston 1.2 mi 8.2
DIVINE REDEEMER SCHOOL Hanahan 1.4 mi 7.4
CHARLESTON BILINGUAL ACADEMY North Charleston 1.3 mi 6.8
Morningside Middle North Charleston 1.6 mi 6.3
CHARLESTON CLASSICAL SCHOOL North Charleston 1.4 mi
North Charleston Elementary North Charleston 1.9 mi 6.0
Malcolm C. Hursey Montessori North Charleston 2.0 mi 7.6
North Charleston High North Charleston 2.2 mi 7.7
Midland Park Primary North Charleston 2.3 mi 5.5
Allegro Charter School of Music North Charleston 2.6 mi 6.3
Hanahan Elementary Hanahan 2.7 mi 3.2
Meeting Street Elementary North Charleston 2.8 mi 3.4
Bowen's Corner Elementary Hanahan 3.3 mi 5.2
OWENS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY North Charleston 3.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29406 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,640

Median Home Value

$209,700

Median Rent

$1,305/mo

Population

32,482

College Educated

22.8%

Homeownership

41.8%

Avg Commute

24.1 min

Poverty Rate

25%

Median Age

33.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Matilda F. Dunston Elementary has a median household income of $50,640. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $209,700, with a median rent of $1,305/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Cyril B. Busbee Elementary Wagener, SC 2.9
Alexander Elementary Greenville, SC 2.8
B. D. Lee Elementary Gaffney, SC 3.2
Crosswell Drive Elementary Sumter, SC 3.2
Edisto Elementary Orangeburg, SC 3.2
Moncks Corner Elementary Moncks Corner, SC 2.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Matilda F. Dunston Elementary

What grades does Matilda F. Dunston Elementary serve?

Matilda F. Dunston Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Matilda F. Dunston Elementary?

Matilda F. Dunston Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 491 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Matilda F. Dunston Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Matilda F. Dunston Elementary is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Matilda F. Dunston Elementary rank in SC?

Matilda F. Dunston Elementary is ranked #1159 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Matilda F. Dunston Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Matilda F. Dunston Elementary 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 Matilda F. Dunston Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Matilda F. Dunston Elementary has 22.0% math proficiency and 20.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Matilda F. Dunston Elementary a charter school?

No, Matilda F. Dunston Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Matilda F. Dunston Elementary a Title I school?

No, Matilda F. Dunston Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Matilda F. Dunston Elementary?

100.0% of students at Matilda F. Dunston 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,771/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (North Charleston). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
491
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Charleston County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Charleston 01
District Enrollment
50,400
Schools in District
82
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,635
District Rank
#79 of 79

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 methodology

Get 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.