Very Good
#180 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 15% in state
Based on limited data
Southside Early Childhood Center
Elementary School · Darlington 01
1615 Blanding Drive, Hartsville, SC 29550
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 8 schools in Hartsville. Learn more
Enrollment
327
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – Kindergarten
Enrollment
327
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – Kindergarten
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Hartsville
#2 of 8
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#99 of 680
In district
#5 of 18
Darlington 01
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Southside Early Childhood Center
Southside Early Childhood Center serves 327 young learners in prekindergarten through kindergarten in Hartsville, South Carolina. This public elementary school maintains a favorable 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio with 30 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for individualized attention during these crucial early learning years. The school has earned a solid 7.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks impressively at #154 out of 1,192 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 87th percentile among South Carolina schools.
This strong performance indicates the center is effectively serving its youngest students during their foundational academic years. Located at 1615 Blanding Drive in Darlington County, Southside Early Childhood Center draws families from a diverse community where the median household income is $52,525 and median home values average $148,900. The surrounding ZIP code of 29550 is home to nearly 30,000 residents, with 24% holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
As a specialized early childhood facility, the school focuses exclusively on preparing prekindergarten and kindergarten students for their educational journey ahead. The center operates within Hartsville's town setting, serving families in this established South Carolina community where early childhood education is clearly prioritized.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
How Southside Early Childhood Center Compares
See how Southside Early Childhood Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
1615 Blanding Drive, Hartsville, SC 29550
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southside Early Childhood Center may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Butler Academy (rated 9.4/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lamar-Spaulding Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Lamar), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bay Road Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Hartsville, see our Hartsville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hartsville High Hartsville | 1.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Hartsville Middle Hartsville | 1.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Butler Academy Hartsville | 1.3 mi | 9.4 |
| Carolina Elementary Hartsville | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Thornwell School for the Arts Hartsville | 1.6 mi | 3.5 |
| Bay Road Elementary Hartsville | 1.5 mi | 7.7 |
| SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics Hartsville | 2.0 mi | — |
| FIRST BAPTIST Hartsville | 2.1 mi | — |
| THOMAS HART ACADEMY Hartsville | 2.6 mi | 6.9 |
| North Hartsville Elementary Hartsville | 3.1 mi | 6.2 |
| KELLEYTOWN BAPTIST KINDERGARTEN Hartsville | 3.6 mi | — |
| EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hartsville | 4.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Darlington Middle Darlington | 8.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Lamar-Spaulding Elementary Lamar | 11.2 mi | 8.9 |
| Plainview Elementary Patrick | 11.7 mi | 5.7 |
| TEMPLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Darlington | 10.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Lamar High Lamar | 12.2 mi | 9.6 |
| TRINITY COLLEGIATE SCHOOL Darlington | 11.1 mi | 6.5 |
| CHRISTIAN PATHWAY/ STARTING STEPS SCHOOL Lamar | 12.5 mi | — |
| Spaulding Middle Lamar | 12.8 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29550 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,191
Median Home Value
$169,200
Median Rent
$851/mo
Population
30,198
College Educated
24.4%
Homeownership
73.1%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
22%
Median Age
40.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southside Early Childhood Center has a median household income of $54,191. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $169,200, with a median rent of $851/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 |
|---|---|
| Denmark-Olar Elementary Denmark, SC | 7.8 |
| Flat Rock Elementary Anderson, SC | 7.8 |
| GREEN Charter School Midlands Irmo, SC | 7.8 |
| Hilton Head Island Early Childhood Center Hilton Head Island, SC | 7.8 |
| Kelly Edwards Elementary Williston, SC | 7.8 |
| Macedonia Elementary-Middle Blackville, SC | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southside Early Childhood Center
What grades does Southside Early Childhood Center serve?
Southside Early Childhood Center serves students in grades Pre-K through Kindergarten.
How many students attend Southside Early Childhood Center?
Southside Early Childhood Center has an enrollment of approximately 327 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southside Early Childhood Center?
The student-teacher ratio at Southside Early Childhood Center is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southside Early Childhood Center rank in SC?
Southside Early Childhood Center is ranked #180 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Southside Early Childhood Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Southside Early Childhood Center has a composite rating of 7.8 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.
Is Southside Early Childhood Center a charter school?
No, Southside Early Childhood Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southside Early Childhood Center a Title I school?
No, Southside Early Childhood Center is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southside Early Childhood Center?
100.0% of students at Southside Early Childhood Center qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – Kindergarten
- Enrollment
- 327
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Darlington County
- Chronic Absenteeism
- 25.4%
- Phone
- (843) 383-3310
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Darlington 01- District Enrollment
- 8,862
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,420
- District Rank
- #5 of 18
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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