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Needs Improvement

#1151 of 1,176 schools in SC

Pocalla Springs Elementary

Elementary School · Sumter 01

2060 Bethel Church Road, Sumter, SC 29154

Enrollment

643

Student-Teacher

16.1:1

Score

2.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina schools

#1,151 of 1,176

In Sumter

#16 of 20

public schools

In district

#18 of 24

Sumter 01

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Pocalla Springs Elementary

2.9/10

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

Lakewood High

5.1/10

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

Furman Middle

3.4/10

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

About Pocalla Springs Elementary

Pocalla Springs Elementary is a public elementary school in Sumter, SC, part of Sumter 01. Pocalla Springs Elementary serves approximately 643 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Pocalla Springs Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,151 of 1,176 schools in SC.

Structured state assessment records for Pocalla Springs Elementary show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022).

How it compares1.1 pts below district
  • This school 2.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.0
  • SC avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Pocalla Springs 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.

39% of students at Pocalla Springs Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data12
Annual Change-4.98 pts/yr
Data Period2011–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency28% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-9.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,795
Chronic Absenteeism38.9%

Pocalla Springs Elementary — Students at Pocalla Springs Elementary score 27% 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 37.6% (multi-year average, 2011-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 34.8% (multi-year average, 2011-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 24 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2011
Math
75%
ELA
76%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
75%
2013
Math
72%
ELA
73%
2014
Math
41%
ELA
16%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
21%
2016
Math
29%
ELA
16%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
21%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
29%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
29%
2020*
Math
14%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
14%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
26%
ELA
28%

* 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: 2.2/10.

How Pocalla Springs Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
2.9/10
2th percentile in SC
Academic
4.1/10
Below Average
Growth
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.9%

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

2060 Bethel Church Road, Sumter, SC 29154

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pocalla Springs Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Liberty STEAM Charter School (rated 6.8/10, 5.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HOLY ANGELS ACADEMY (rated 6.8/10, 6.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Alice Drive Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 6.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sumter, see our Sumter schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Lakewood High Sumter 1.8 mi 5.1
Furman Middle Sumter 2.3 mi 3.4
Kingsbury Elementary Sumter 3.7 mi 4.0
WESTSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sumter 4.1 mi 4.0
Sumter High School Sumter 4.2 mi 6.8
Bates Middle Sumter 4.7 mi 3.4
TEMPLE CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Sumter 4.9 mi
Wilder Elementary Sumter 4.7 mi 5.1
Millwood Elementary Sumter 5.2 mi 6.5
Liberty STEAM Charter School Sumter 5.8 mi 6.8
TRINITY DAY SCHOOL Sumter 6.0 mi
HOLY ANGELS ACADEMY Sumter 6.2 mi 6.8
Lemira Elementary Sumter 6.1 mi 3.0
Alice Drive Elementary Sumter 6.5 mi 6.8
Alice Drive Middle Sumter 6.5 mi 5.1
Willow Drive Elementary Sumter 6.9 mi 2.1
WILSON HALL Sumter 6.9 mi 5.4
Crosswell Drive Elementary Sumter 7.2 mi 3.5
SUMTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sumter 7.7 mi 7.0
Manchester Elementary Pinewood 8.3 mi 2.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29154 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,105

Median Home Value

$182,600

Median Rent

$1,107/mo

Population

29,659

College Educated

25.4%

Homeownership

73%

Avg Commute

24.1 min

Poverty Rate

10.2%

Median Age

36.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Brooklyn Springs Elementary Lancaster, SC 2.9
Cherryvale Elementary Sumter, SC 2.9
Sangaree Intermediate Summerville, SC 2.9
A. C. Corcoran Elementary North Charleston, SC 3.0
Cottageville Elementary Cottageville, SC 3.0
Forest Hills Elementary Walterboro, SC 3.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pocalla Springs Elementary

What grades does Pocalla Springs Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend Pocalla Springs Elementary?

Pocalla Springs Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 643 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pocalla Springs Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Pocalla Springs Elementary is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pocalla Springs Elementary rank in SC?

Pocalla Springs Elementary ranks #1,151 of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Pocalla Springs Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Pocalla Springs Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 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 Pocalla Springs Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pocalla Springs Elementary has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022).

Is Pocalla Springs Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Pocalla Springs Elementary a Title I school?

No, Pocalla Springs Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

100.0% of students at Pocalla Springs 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
643
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Sumter County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.9%

District

Sumter 01
District Enrollment
14,301
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,795
District Rank
#18 of 24

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