Average
#531 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 45% in state
Sandhills Elementary
Elementary School · Lexington 04
130 Lewis Rast Road, Swansea, SC 29160
Enrollment
474
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
6.5
Grades
3rd – 4th
Enrollment
474
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
6.5
Grades
3rd – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Swansea
#3 of 6
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#307 of 680
In district
#3 of 7
Lexington 04
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Sandhills Elementary
Sandhills Elementary is a regular public school located in the rural area near Swansea, South Carolina. The school serves students in grades three and four, with an enrollment of 474 students. Sandhills Elementary has a student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1, ensuring that each child receives personalized attention from its team of 34 full-time equivalent teachers.
According to MySchoolScout ratings, the school currently ranks at 4.7 out of 10 overall and is ranked #797 among South Carolina schools, placing it in the 33rd percentile statewide. Academically, Sandhills Elementary scores a 2.6/10 on MySchoolScout’s scale, with 24% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 21% proficiency or above in Math. Despite these numbers, the school continues to focus on student development and academic growth.
With dedicated teachers and a supportive community, Sandhills Elementary provides a nurturing environment for young learners. Sandhills Elementary is situated in a rural setting near Swansea, offering students a close-knit and tight-knit community atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Sandhills Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Sandhills 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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Sandhills Elementary — Students at Sandhills Elementary score 27% 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
→ 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: 7.8/10.
How Sandhills Elementary Compares
See how Sandhills Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 24% (2019) to 26% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 25% (2019) to 28% (2022).
Location
130 Lewis Rast Road, Swansea, SC 29160
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sandhills Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Congaree Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby West Columbia), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sandhills Primary (rated 6.7/10, 0.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lexington Four Early Childhood Center (rated 6.4/10, 0.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Swansea, see our Swansea schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sandhills Primary Swansea | 0.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Lexington Four Early Childhood Center Swansea | 0.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Swansea High Freshman Academy Swansea | 1.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Swansea High Swansea | 2.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Frances F. Mack Intermediate Gaston | 3.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Sandhills Middle Gaston | 3.6 mi | 6.0 |
| FOUNDATION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gaston | 7.6 mi | 7.4 |
| Forts Pond Elementary Pelion | 8.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Pine Ridge Middle West Columbia | 9.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Herbert A. Wood Elementary West Columbia | 9.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Congaree Elementary West Columbia | 9.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Pelion Middle Pelion | 8.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Pelion Elementary Pelion | 8.8 mi | 4.1 |
| North Middle/High North | 10.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Pelion High Pelion | 8.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Sandy Run School Swansea | 9.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Dover Elementary North | 11.6 mi | 6.3 |
| R. H. Fulmer Middle West Columbia | 12.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Airport High West Columbia | 12.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Midlands Middle College Columbia | 12.3 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29160 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,305
Median Home Value
$122,100
Median Rent
$966/mo
Population
7,196
College Educated
18.3%
Homeownership
86.6%
Avg Commute
32.1 min
Poverty Rate
13.8%
Median Age
46.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sandhills Elementary has a median household income of $62,305. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $122,100, with a median rent of $966/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.8%. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Carlisle-Foster's Grove Elementary Chesnee, SC | 6.5 |
| Gateway Elementary Travelers Rest, SC | 6.5 |
| McBee Elementary Mcbee, SC | 6.5 |
| McKissick Academy of Science and Technology Easley, SC | 6.5 |
| McLees Elementary Anderson, SC | 6.5 |
| Myrtle Beach Early Childhood Myrtle Beach, SC | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sandhills Elementary
What grades does Sandhills Elementary serve?
Sandhills Elementary serves students in grades 3rd through 4th.
How many students attend Sandhills Elementary?
Sandhills Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 474 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sandhills Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Sandhills Elementary is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sandhills Elementary rank in SC?
Sandhills Elementary is ranked #531 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Sandhills Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Sandhills Elementary has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Sandhills Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sandhills Elementary has 21.0% math proficiency and 23.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sandhills Elementary a charter school?
No, Sandhills Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sandhills Elementary a Title I school?
No, Sandhills Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sandhills Elementary?
100.0% of students at Sandhills 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
- City Safety
- High (4,793/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Swansea). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 4th
- Enrollment
- 474
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Lexington County
- Phone
- (803) 490-7003
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lexington 04- District Enrollment
- 3,475
- Schools in District
- 7
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,672
- District Rank
- #3 of 7
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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