Needs Improvement
#1147 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
2.9
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
375
Student-Teacher
12.9:1
Score
2.9
Grades
3rd – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#1,147 of 1,176
In Florence
#21 of 21
public schools
In district
#23 of 23
Florence 01
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Theodore Lester Elementary
Elementary School in Florence · grades 3rd – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Henry Timrod Elementary
2.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Wilson High
2.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Theodore Lester Elementary
Theodore Lester Elementary is a public elementary school in Florence, SC, part of Florence 01. Theodore Lester Elementary serves approximately 375 students, and covers grades 3rd-5th, and has a 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Theodore Lester Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,147 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for Theodore Lester Elementary show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 2.9 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.4
- SC avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
Theodore Lester 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 28 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: 1.8/10.
How Theodore Lester Elementary Compares
See how Theodore Lester Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 Royall Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 5.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF FLORENCE (rated 7.1/10, 4.5 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 | 4.6 |
| Wilson High Florence | 2.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Wallace Gregg Elementary Florence | 2.4 mi | 2.9 |
| McLaurin Elementary Florence | 3.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Greenwood Elementary Florence | 4.2 mi | 4.6 |
| North Vista Elementary Florence | 4.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Williams Middle Florence | 4.3 mi | 5.9 |
| 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 | 6.4 |
| R.N. Beck Child Development Center Florence | 5.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Child Development Center at Woods Road Florence | 5.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Royall Elementary Florence | 5.6 mi | 7.5 |
| HIGHLAND PARK KINDERGARTEN Florence | 5.9 mi | — |
| South Florence High Florence | 6.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Carver Elementary Florence | 6.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Southside Middle Florence | 6.9 mi | 4.9 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Brooklyn Springs Elementary Lancaster, SC | 2.9 |
| Cherryvale Elementary Sumter, SC | 2.9 |
| Wallace Gregg Elementary Florence, SC | 2.9 |
| Chicora Elementary North Charleston, SC | 3.0 |
| Cottageville Elementary Cottageville, SC | 3.0 |
| Forest Hills Elementary Walterboro, SC | 3.0 |
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 29.6%
- Phone
- (843) 664-8459
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
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