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Needs Improvement

#1104 of 1,176 schools in SC

Sandhills Elementary

Elementary School · Lexington 04

130 Lewis Rast Road, Swansea, SC 29160

Enrollment

474

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

3.5

Grades

3rd – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina schools

#1,104 of 1,176

In Swansea

#6 of 6

public schools

In district

#6 of 7

Lexington 04

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Sandhills Elementary

3.5/10

Elementary School in Swansea · grades 3rd – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Sandhills Primary

7.8/10

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

Lexington Four Early Childhood Center

6.3/10

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

About Sandhills Elementary

Sandhills Elementary is a public elementary school in Swansea, SC, part of Lexington 04. Sandhills Elementary serves approximately 474 students, and covers grades 3rd-4th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Sandhills Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #1,104 of 1,176 schools in SC.

Structured state assessment records for Sandhills Elementary show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.4 pts below district
  • This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.9
  • SC avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Sandhills 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.

34% of students at Sandhills 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 Progress2.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.78 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
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 & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,672
Chronic Absenteeism34.4%

Sandhills Elementary — Students at Sandhills 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 35.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
77%
ELA
80%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
69%
2011
Math
63%
ELA
63%
2012
Math
56%
ELA
68%
2013
Math
53%
ELA
68%
2014
Math
28%
ELA
20%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
16%
2016
Math
16%
ELA
15%
2017
Math
15%
ELA
17%
2018
Math
24%
ELA
25%
2019
Math
24%
ELA
25%
2020*
Math
13%
ELA
18%
2021*
Math
13%
ELA
18%
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: 2.5/10.

How Sandhills Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
3.5/10
6th percentile in SC
Academic
4.1/10
Below Average
Growth
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.9/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.4%

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

130 Lewis Rast Road, Swansea, SC 29160

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sandhills Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sandhills Primary (rated 7.8/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lexington Four Early Childhood Center (rated 6.3/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dover Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby North), which scores notably higher. 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 7.8
Lexington Four Early Childhood Center Swansea 0.2 mi 6.3
Swansea High Freshman Academy Swansea 1.9 mi 5.8
Swansea High Swansea 2.5 mi 5.7
Frances F. Mack Intermediate Gaston 3.4 mi 3.7
Sandhills Middle Gaston 3.6 mi 2.9
FOUNDATION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gaston 7.6 mi 7.4
Forts Pond Elementary Pelion 8.0 mi 5.0
Pine Ridge Middle West Columbia 9.7 mi 3.8
Herbert A. Wood Elementary West Columbia 9.8 mi 5.0
Congaree Elementary West Columbia 9.8 mi 4.9
Pelion Middle Pelion 8.5 mi 3.6
Pelion Elementary Pelion 8.8 mi 4.2
North Middle/High North 10.6 mi 7.3
Pelion High Pelion 8.9 mi 7.7
Sandy Run School Swansea 9.6 mi 5.3
Dover Elementary North 11.6 mi 6.2
R. H. Fulmer Middle West Columbia 12.3 mi 5.4
Airport High West Columbia 12.3 mi 6.0
Midlands Middle College Columbia 12.3 mi 7.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Crosswell Drive Elementary Sumter, SC 3.5
E. B. Morse Elementary Laurens, SC 3.5
Mount Holly Elementary Goose Creek, SC 3.5
Varennes Elementary Anderson, SC 3.5
A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia, SC 3.4
Burton Pack Elementary Columbia, SC 3.6

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 ranks #1,104 of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Sandhills Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Sandhills Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 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 Sandhills Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sandhills Elementary has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.4%

District

Lexington 04
District Enrollment
3,475
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,672
District Rank
#6 of 7

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