Needs Improvement
#1147 of 1,176 schools in SC
Theodore Lester Elementary
Elementary School · Florence 01 · Florence, SC
A Florence 01 elementary school where students score 19 points below what's typical for similar communities.
3501 East Palmetto Street, Florence, SC 29506
- Math 12% proficient (2022)
- Reading 22% proficient (2022)
- 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Theodore Lester Elementary score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. SC average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 10 points since 2019, to 17% in 2022, across a 14-year record (2009–2022).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 38% (multi-year average, 2009-2022) · reading/ELA 44% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from SC state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Theodore Lester Elementary sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 29Car-Dependent
- Bike 34Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High4,750/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Florence), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$38,441
Median home value
$114,400
Median rent
$802/mo
College educated
14.7%
Homeownership
52.5%
Poverty rate
28%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 29506; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry Timrod ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 4.6 | K–5 | 2.3 mi | 416 | Compare → |
| Wallace Gregg ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 2.9 | K–5 | 2.4 mi | 333 | Compare → |
| North Vista ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 4.2 | K–5 | 4.0 mi | 433 | Compare → |
| Greenwood ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 4.6 | K–5 | 4.2 mi | 541 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Florence 01
- Schools in district
- 24
- Rank in district
- #23 of 23
- District spending per student
- $14,162NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 18.6%Census SAIPE · 2024
Theodore Lester Elementary is listed in Florence 01; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Theodore Lester Elementary
Theodore Lester Elementary is a public elementary school in Florence, SC, part of Florence 01, serving approximately 375 students in grades 3rd-5th with a 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,147 of 1,176 schools in SC. State assessment records show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Theodore Lester Elementary
What grades does Theodore Lester Elementary serve?
Theodore Lester Elementary serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.
How many students attend Theodore Lester Elementary?
Theodore Lester Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 375 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Theodore Lester Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Theodore Lester Elementary is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Theodore Lester Elementary rank in SC?
Theodore Lester Elementary ranks #1,147 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Theodore Lester Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Theodore Lester 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 Theodore Lester Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Theodore Lester Elementary has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Theodore Lester Elementary a charter school?
No, Theodore Lester Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Theodore Lester Elementary a Title I school?
No, Theodore Lester Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Theodore Lester Elementary?
100.0% of students at Theodore Lester 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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 3rd – 5th
- Enrollment
- 375
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Florence County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 29.6%
- Phone
- (843) 664-8459
- Area population (ZIP 29506)
- 20,323
- Area average commute
- 27.4 min
- Area median age
- 37.1
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 29506; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24
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