Needs Improvement
#1113 of 1,176 schools in SC
Theodore Lester Elementary
Elementary School · Florence 01
3501 East Palmetto Street, Florence, SC 29506
Enrollment
375
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
3.7
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
375
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
3.7
Grades
3rd – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Florence
#21 of 21
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#642 of 680
In district
#23 of 23
Florence 01
School environment
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Theodore Lester Elementary
Theodore Lester Elementary is a public elementary school located in Florence, South Carolina. Serving students from third to fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 375 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 12.9:1 with 29 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Theodore Lester Elementary currently shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1158 out of 1192 schools in South Carolina.
In terms of subject proficiency, only 25% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while the math proficiency rate is even lower at 15%. Despite these challenges, the school continues to focus on student development and academic growth. Theodore Lester Elementary is situated in a rural area near Florence, offering its students a close-knit community setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Theodore Lester 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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Theodore Lester Elementary — Students at Theodore Lester Elementary score 17% 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: 3.0/10.
How Theodore Lester Elementary Compares
See how Theodore Lester Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 31% (2019) to 22% (2022).
Location
3501 East Palmetto Street, Florence, SC 29506
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Theodore Lester Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST ANTHONY CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.7/10, 7.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Briggs Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 5.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Royall Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 5.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Florence, see our Florence schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Henry Timrod Elementary Florence | 2.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Wilson High Florence | 2.5 mi | 8.8 |
| Wallace Gregg Elementary Florence | 2.4 mi | 4.2 |
| McLaurin Elementary Florence | 3.1 mi | 4.0 |
| Greenwood Elementary Florence | 4.2 mi | 4.9 |
| North Vista Elementary Florence | 4.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Williams Middle Florence | 4.3 mi | 6.5 |
| MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF FLORENCE Florence | 4.5 mi | 7.1 |
| FLORENCE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Florence | 5.2 mi | 5.0 |
| CALVARY BAPTIST KINDERGARTEN Florence | 5.0 mi | — |
| Briggs Elementary Florence | 5.1 mi | 7.9 |
| R.N. Beck Child Development Center Florence | 5.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Child Development Center at Woods Road Florence | 5.6 mi | 7.3 |
| Royall Elementary Florence | 5.6 mi | 7.8 |
| HIGHLAND PARK KINDERGARTEN Florence | 5.9 mi | — |
| South Florence High Florence | 6.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Carver Elementary Florence | 6.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Southside Middle Florence | 6.9 mi | 6.2 |
| PURSUIT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (FORMERLY FAITH CHRISTIA Florence | 7.6 mi | 6.1 |
| ST ANTHONY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Florence | 7.3 mi | 8.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29506 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$38,441
Median Home Value
$114,400
Median Rent
$802/mo
Population
20,323
College Educated
14.7%
Homeownership
52.5%
Avg Commute
27.4 min
Poverty Rate
28%
Median Age
37.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Theodore Lester Elementary has a median household income of $38,441. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $114,400, with a median rent of $802/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia, SC | 3.7 |
| Cherryvale Elementary Sumter, SC | 3.7 |
| LEAD Academy Greenville, SC | 3.7 |
| North Aiken Elementary Aiken, SC | 3.7 |
| Watkins-Nance Elementary Columbia, SC | 3.7 |
| Cotton Belt Elementary York, SC | 3.8 |
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 is ranked #1113 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Theodore Lester Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Theodore Lester Elementary has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Theodore Lester Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Theodore Lester Elementary has 15.0% math proficiency and 24.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,750/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Florence). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 5th
- Enrollment
- 375
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Florence County
- Phone
- (843) 664-8459
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Florence 01- District Enrollment
- 15,910
- Schools in District
- 24
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,162
- District Rank
- #23 of 23
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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