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Very Good

#232 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 20% in state

Olanta Elementary

Elementary School · Florence 03

P.O. Box 628, Olanta, SC 29114

Enrollment

199

Student-Teacher

9.5:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina elementary schools

#140 of 680

In district

#3 of 8

Florence 03

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Olanta Elementary

Olanta Elementary is a regular public school located in the rural community of Olanta, South Carolina. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and has an enrollment of 199 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.5:1. This close-knit environment allows for personalized attention and support for each child.

Olanta Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10, placing it at the 48th percentile among South Carolina schools. The school’s academic performance shows room for improvement with an average of only 24% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 20% proficiency in Math across all grade levels. Despite these challenges, Olanta Elementary provides a nurturing setting where students can grow and develop both academically and socially.

With dedicated teachers committed to their students' success, the school is well-positioned to support its community’s young learners as they progress through elementary education. The rural location offers a peaceful atmosphere conducive to learning and building strong relationships within the school and broader community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 199 students, Olanta Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, Olanta 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.

Located in a rural area, Olanta 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.96 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics4.6Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-6.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,580

Olanta Elementary — Students at Olanta Elementary score 30% 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 20.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 23.7%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
32%

* 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: 8.9/10.

How Olanta Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
7.6/10
80th percentile in SC
Academic
4.6/10
4.6/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

P.O. Box 628, Olanta, SC 29114

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Olanta Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. J. C. Lynch Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Coward), with a very similar rating. Another option is Dewey-Carter Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 13.9 miles away, in nearby Effingham), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Walker-Gamble Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby New Zion), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Olanta, see our Olanta schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.2 mi
School Distance Rating
East Clarendon Middle-High Turbeville 5.7 mi
THE CAROLINA ACADEMY Lake City 9.2 mi 4.8
Turbeville High Turbeville 9.2 mi 8.1
Lake City Early Childhood Center Lake City 9.9 mi 5.7
Walker-Gamble Elementary New Zion 10.8 mi 7.6
Lake City High Lake City 10.1 mi 7.7
Ronald E. McNair Jr. High Lake City 10.6 mi 5.1
J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts and Science Magnet Lake City 10.6 mi 5.8
J. C. Lynch Elementary Coward 10.6 mi 7.7
Brockington Elementary Magnet Timmonsville 12.7 mi 7.4
Scranton Elementary Scranton 10.7 mi 6.0
Main Street Elementary Lake City 11.5 mi 3.6
Dewey-Carter Elementary Effingham 13.9 mi 7.7
PURSUIT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (FORMERLY FAITH CHRISTIA Florence 14.8 mi 6.1
Savannah Grove Elementary Effingham 15.6 mi 7.3
FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Effingham 14.2 mi 5.0
Southside Middle Florence 15.6 mi 6.2
Henry L. Sneed Middle Florence 16.6 mi 5.8
THE KING'S ACADEMY Florence 16.8 mi 5.8
South Florence High Florence 16.2 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29114 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,000

Median Home Value

$101,600

Median Rent

$845/mo

Population

1,815

College Educated

8.6%

Homeownership

73.2%

Avg Commute

29.7 min

Poverty Rate

19.5%

Median Age

40.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Olanta Elementary has a median household income of $49,000. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $101,600, with a median rent of $845/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.5%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
St. James-Gaillard Elementary Eutawville, SC 7.6
Vance-Providence Elementary Vance, SC 7.6
Edith L. Frierson Elementary Wadmalaw Island, SC 7.5
Minnie Hughes Elementary Yonges Island, SC 7.5
Brookdale Elementary Orangeburg, SC 7.7
GREEN Charter School Lowcountry N. Charleston, SC 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Olanta Elementary

What grades does Olanta Elementary serve?

Olanta Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Olanta Elementary?

Olanta Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 199 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Olanta Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Olanta Elementary is 9.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Olanta Elementary rank in SC?

Olanta Elementary is ranked #232 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Olanta Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Olanta Elementary has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Olanta Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Olanta Elementary has 20.3% math proficiency and 23.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Olanta Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Olanta Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Olanta 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
38 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (556/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
199
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Florence County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Florence 03
District Enrollment
2,908
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,537
District Rank
#3 of 8

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

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