Very Good
#135 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 11% in state
Michael C. Riley Elementary
Elementary School · Beaufort 01
200 Burnt Church Road, Bluffton, SC 29910
Enrollment
718
Student-Teacher
9.3:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
718
Student-Teacher
9.3:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bluffton
#5 of 10
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#85 of 680
In district
#8 of 32
Beaufort 01
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Michael C. Riley Elementary
Michael C. Riley Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the small city of Bluffton, South Carolina. Spanning from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school serves 718 students with a student-teacher ratio of 9.3:1.
The dedicated teaching staff includes 77 full-time equivalent educators who provide personalized attention to each child. The academic performance at Michael C. Riley Elementary reflects areas for growth but also highlights strengths.
With a MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and state ranking of #278 out of 1,192 schools in South Carolina (placing it in the 77th percentile), there is clear potential for improvement. In terms of specific subject proficiency, 42% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 50% meet or exceed standards in Math. Though detailed neighborhood information is not available, Michael C.
Riley Elementary is situated in a small city environment where the school community actively works together to support student development and academic success.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.3:1, Michael C. Riley Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Michael C. Riley Elementary — Students at Michael C. Riley Elementary score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.1%
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: 7.9/10.
How Michael C. Riley Elementary Compares
See how Michael C. Riley Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 44% (2022).
Location
200 Burnt Church Road, Bluffton, SC 29910
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Michael C. Riley Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Red Cedar Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Okatie Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 7.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, River Ridge Academy (rated 8.1/10, 5.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bluffton, see our Bluffton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MAY RIVER MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bluffton | 0.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Red Cedar Elementary Bluffton | 1.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Bluffton Middle Bluffton | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Bluffton Elementary Bluffton | 2.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Bluffton High Bluffton | 2.7 mi | 8.9 |
| H. E. McCracken Middle Bluffton | 2.7 mi | 7.9 |
| River Ridge Academy Bluffton | 5.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Okatie Elementary Bluffton | 7.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Pritchardville Elementary Bluffton | 6.8 mi | 6.8 |
| May River High Bluffton | 6.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts Hilton Head Island | 7.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Hilton Head Island Elementary Hilton Head Island | 7.3 mi | 6.2 |
| HILTON HEAD PREPARATORY SCHOOL Hilton Head Island | 8.2 mi | 6.6 |
| SEA PINES MONTESSORI ACADEMY Hilton Head Island | 8.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Hilton Head Island High Hilton Head Island | 7.4 mi | 6.3 |
| HERITAGE ACADEMY Hilton Head Island | 8.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Hilton Head Island Middle Hilton Head Island | 7.5 mi | 5.9 |
| JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ridgeland | 9.1 mi | 6.7 |
| JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ridgeland | 9.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Hilton Head Island Early Childhood Center Hilton Head Island | 8.0 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29910 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$96,122
Median Home Value
$420,200
Median Rent
$1,848/mo
Population
50,173
College Educated
46.4%
Homeownership
76.9%
Avg Commute
25.7 min
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Median Age
42.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Michael C. Riley Elementary has a median household income of $96,122. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $420,200, with a median rent of $1,848/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Bay Road Elementary Hartsville, SC | 7.9 |
| Briggs Elementary Florence, SC | 7.9 |
| East Point Academy West Columbia, SC | 7.9 |
| Fair-Oak Elementary Westminster, SC | 7.9 |
| La France Elementary Pendleton, SC | 7.9 |
| Lake Forest Elementary Greenville, SC | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Michael C. Riley Elementary
What grades does Michael C. Riley Elementary serve?
Michael C. Riley Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Michael C. Riley Elementary?
Michael C. Riley Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 718 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Michael C. Riley Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Michael C. Riley Elementary is 9.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Michael C. Riley Elementary rank in SC?
Michael C. Riley Elementary is ranked #135 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Michael C. Riley Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Michael C. Riley Elementary has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Michael C. Riley Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Michael C. Riley Elementary has 50.3% math proficiency and 41.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Michael C. Riley Elementary a charter school?
No, Michael C. Riley Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Michael C. Riley Elementary a Title I school?
No, Michael C. Riley Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Michael C. Riley Elementary?
73.1% of students at Michael C. Riley 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bluffton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 718
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 77
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 73.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Beaufort County
- Phone
- (843) 706-8300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Beaufort 01- District Enrollment
- 21,489
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,232
- District Rank
- #8 of 32
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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