Below Average
#990 of 1,176 schools in SC
Robert Smalls Leadership Academy
Elementary School · Beaufort 01
43 W. K. Alston Drive, Beaufort, SC 29906
Enrollment
729
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
729
Student-Teacher
9.9:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Beaufort
#12 of 14
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#560 of 680
In district
#29 of 32
Beaufort 01
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Robert Smalls Leadership Academy
Robert Smalls Leadership Academy is a public elementary school in Beaufort, South Carolina, serving students from pre-K through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 729 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child. Located at 43 W.
K. Alston Drive, Robert Smalls Leadership Academy is situated in a small suburban area that provides a quiet setting for learning. While the school's current MySchoolScout rating stands at 4.2 out of 10 and its state ranking is #921 out of 1192 schools (placing it around the 23rd percentile), Robert Smalls Leadership Academy focuses on student development through a dedicated staff of 74 full-time equivalent teachers.
In academic performance, students show proficiency rates of 25% in ELA/Reading and 17% in Math across all grade levels, indicating areas where further support could be beneficial. The school’s setting offers a peaceful environment conducive to learning, making it a valued part of the Beaufort community.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.9:1, Robert Smalls Leadership Academy 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
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Data not available for this school
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Robert Smalls Leadership Academy — Students at Robert Smalls Leadership Academy score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.7/10.
How Robert Smalls Leadership Academy Compares
See how Robert Smalls Leadership Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 26% (2019) to 13% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 29% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
43 W. K. Alston Drive, Beaufort, SC 29906
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Robert Smalls Leadership Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Coosa Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 5.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Beaufort Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Broad River Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Beaufort, see our Beaufort schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Creek High Beaufort | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| BEAUFORT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Beaufort | 1.0 mi | 4.3 |
| Broad River Elementary Beaufort | 1.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Riverview Charter School Beaufort | 2.7 mi | 5.8 |
| Lowcountry Montessori School Beaufort | 3.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Mossy Oaks Elementary Beaufort | 3.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Beaufort Middle Beaufort | 3.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Beaufort Elementary Beaufort | 3.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Bridges Preparatory School Beaufort | 3.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary Beaufort | 3.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Port Royal Elementary Port Royal | 4.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Beaufort High Beaufort | 4.5 mi | 7.7 |
| ST PETERS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Beaufort | 5.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Coosa Elementary Beaufort | 5.5 mi | 9.5 |
| Lady's Island Middle Beaufort | 5.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Whale Branch Early College High Seabrook | 6.8 mi | 7.5 |
| BEAUFORT ACADEMY Beaufort | 5.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Whale Branch Elementary Seabrook | 7.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Whale Branch Middle Seabrook | 7.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Lady's Island Elementary Beaufort | 6.8 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29906 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,350
Median Home Value
$236,900
Median Rent
$1,377/mo
Population
26,562
College Educated
24.4%
Homeownership
48.2%
Avg Commute
23.6 min
Poverty Rate
14.9%
Median Age
29
Community Profile
The community surrounding Robert Smalls Leadership Academy has a median household income of $61,350. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $236,900, with a median rent of $1,377/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.9%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Delmae Heights Elementary Florence, SC | 4.6 |
| Forest Acres Elementary Easley, SC | 4.6 |
| Knightsville Elementary Summerville, SC | 4.6 |
| Mitchell Road Elementary Greenville, SC | 4.6 |
| Welcome Elementary Greenville, SC | 4.6 |
| Windsor Elementary Columbia, SC | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Robert Smalls Leadership Academy
What grades does Robert Smalls Leadership Academy serve?
Robert Smalls Leadership Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Robert Smalls Leadership Academy?
Robert Smalls Leadership Academy has an enrollment of approximately 729 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Robert Smalls Leadership Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Robert Smalls Leadership Academy is 9.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Robert Smalls Leadership Academy rank in SC?
Robert Smalls Leadership Academy is ranked #990 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Robert Smalls Leadership Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Robert Smalls Leadership Academy has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Robert Smalls Leadership Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Robert Smalls Leadership Academy has 17.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Robert Smalls Leadership Academy a charter school?
No, Robert Smalls Leadership Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Robert Smalls Leadership Academy a Title I school?
No, Robert Smalls Leadership Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Robert Smalls Leadership Academy?
100.0% of students at Robert Smalls Leadership Academy 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
- City Safety
- High (4,276/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Beaufort). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 729
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 74
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Beaufort County
- Phone
- (843) 322-2500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Beaufort 01- District Enrollment
- 21,489
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,232
- District Rank
- #29 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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