Excellent
#31 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 3% in state
Okatie Elementary
Elementary School · Beaufort 01
53 Cherry Point Road, Bluffton, SC 29909
Enrollment
599
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
599
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bluffton
#3 of 10
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#20 of 680
In district
#5 of 32
Beaufort 01
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Okatie Elementary
Okatie Elementary is a public elementary school in Bluffton, SC, part of the Beaufort 01. The school serves approximately 599 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.6/10, placing it in the 97.4th percentile among SC schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 69% proficiency in math and 64% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in school environment (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $91,376, where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Okatie 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
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Okatie Elementary — Students at Okatie Elementary score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
50.1%
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: 8.2/10.
How Okatie Elementary Compares
See how Okatie Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 71% (2019) to 68% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 61% (2019) to 70% (2022).
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. Red Cedar Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 5.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is River Ridge Academy (rated 8.1/10, 3.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Michael C. Riley Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 7.5 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 | 8.1 |
| Bluffton High Bluffton | 5.2 mi | 8.9 |
| H. E. McCracken Middle Bluffton | 5.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Bluffton Elementary Bluffton | 5.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Bluffton Middle Bluffton | 5.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Red Cedar Elementary Bluffton | 5.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Pritchardville Elementary Bluffton | 6.1 mi | 6.8 |
| 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 | 7.9 |
| Hardeeville Elementary Hardeeville | 6.7 mi | 2.6 |
| May River High Bluffton | 7.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch Hardeeville | 8.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Ridgeland High Ridgeland | 12.0 mi | — |
| Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary Beaufort | 11.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Ridgeland Elementary Ridgeland | 12.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Ridgeland Secondary Academy of Excellence Ridgeland | 12.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Riverview Charter School Beaufort | 11.6 mi | 5.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Okatie Elementary has a median household income of $91,376. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $416,700, with a median rent of $2,174/month. The local poverty rate of 6.4% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Beaufort Elementary Beaufort, SC | 8.6 |
| Chapin Elementary Chapin, SC | 8.6 |
| Cowpens Elementary Cowpens, SC | 8.6 |
| Jackson Creek Elementary Columbia, SC | 8.6 |
| Pine St. Elementary Spartanburg, SC | 8.6 |
| Pleasant Knoll Elementary Fort Mill, SC | 8.6 |
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 is ranked #31 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Okatie Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Okatie Elementary has a composite rating of 8.6 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 Okatie Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Okatie Elementary has 68.7% math proficiency and 64.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 599
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 54
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 50.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Beaufort County
- Phone
- (843) 322-7700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Beaufort 01- District Enrollment
- 21,489
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,232
- District Rank
- #5 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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