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Excellent

#99 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 8% in state

Okatie Elementary

Elementary School · Beaufort 01

53 Cherry Point Road, Bluffton, SC 29909

Enrollment

599

Student-Teacher

11.1:1

Score

8.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina schools

#99 of 1,176

In Bluffton

#3 of 10

public schools

In district

#6 of 32

Beaufort 01

School environment

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Okatie Elementary

8.2/10

Elementary School in Bluffton · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

John Paul II Catholic School

6.7/10

2.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

River Ridge Academy

8.6/10

3.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Okatie Elementary

Okatie Elementary is a public elementary school in Bluffton, SC, part of Beaufort 01. Okatie Elementary serves approximately 599 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Okatie Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #99 of 1,176 schools in SC.

Structured state assessment records for Okatie Elementary show 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.5 pts above district
  • This school 8.2 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.7
  • SC avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Okatie Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.66 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency70% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency69% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)59% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+9.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
Resources & Environment9.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,232
Chronic Absenteeism14.5%

Okatie Elementary — Students at Okatie Elementary score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 77.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 70.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
94%
ELA
95%
2010
Math
88%
ELA
91%
2011
Math
93%
ELA
93%
2012
Math
91%
ELA
94%
2013
Math
94%
ELA
94%
2014
Math
76%
ELA
41%
2015
Math
68%
ELA
53%
2016
Math
71%
ELA
58%
2017
Math
69%
ELA
56%
2018
Math
71%
ELA
61%
2019
Math
71%
ELA
61%
2020*
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
68%
ELA
70%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Okatie Elementary Compares

See how Okatie Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.2/10
92th percentile in SC
Academic
8.7/10
Excellent
Growth
7.3/10
Very Good
Environment
9.7/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

53 Cherry Point Road, Bluffton, SC 29909

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Okatie Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. River Ridge Academy (rated 8.6/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Pritchardville Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 6.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Red Cedar Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 5.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bluffton, see our Bluffton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.6 mi
School Distance Rating
JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ridgeland 2.2 mi 6.7
JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ridgeland 2.2 mi 7.8
River Ridge Academy Bluffton 3.7 mi 8.6
Bluffton High Bluffton 5.2 mi 9.1
H. E. McCracken Middle Bluffton 5.5 mi 7.5
Bluffton Elementary Bluffton 5.5 mi 7.1
Bluffton Middle Bluffton 5.6 mi 6.7
Red Cedar Elementary Bluffton 5.9 mi 7.8
Pritchardville Elementary Bluffton 6.1 mi 8.0
MAY RIVER MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bluffton 7.2 mi 7.2
Hardeeville Junior /Senior High Hardeeville 6.7 mi
Michael C. Riley Elementary Bluffton 7.5 mi 6.3
Hardeeville Elementary Hardeeville 6.7 mi 5.6
May River High Bluffton 7.9 mi 8.0
Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch Hardeeville 8.8 mi 8.0
Ridgeland High Ridgeland 12.0 mi
Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary Beaufort 11.9 mi 4.1
Ridgeland Elementary Ridgeland 12.7 mi 5.5
Ridgeland Secondary Academy of Excellence Ridgeland 12.7 mi 8.9
Riverview Charter School Beaufort 11.6 mi 7.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29909 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$91,376

Median Home Value

$416,700

Median Rent

$2,174/mo

Population

23,929

College Educated

50.2%

Homeownership

92.3%

Avg Commute

27.4 min

Poverty Rate

6.4%

Median Age

69

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Centerville Elementary Gilbert, SC 8.2
Charles Pinckney Elementary Mt. Pleasant, SC 8.2
Jesse Boyd Elementary Spartanburg, SC 8.2
Starr Elementary Starr, SC 8.2
Carolina Voyager Charter Charleston, SC 8.1
Clemson Elementary Clemson, SC 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Okatie Elementary

What grades does Okatie Elementary serve?

Okatie Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Okatie Elementary?

Okatie Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 599 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Okatie Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Okatie Elementary is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Okatie Elementary rank in SC?

Okatie Elementary ranks #99 of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Okatie Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Okatie Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Okatie Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Okatie Elementary has 78% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 71% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Okatie Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Okatie Elementary a Title I school?

No, Okatie Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Okatie Elementary?

50.1% of students at Okatie 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

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
599
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
54
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Beaufort County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.5%

District

Beaufort 01
District Enrollment
21,489
Schools in District
32
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,232
District Rank
#6 of 32

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