Below Average
#1016 of 1,176 schools in SC
Whale Branch Elementary
Elementary School · Beaufort 01
15 Stuart Point Road, Seabrook, SC 29941
Enrollment
400
Student-Teacher
8:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
400
Student-Teacher
8:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Seabrook
#3 of 3
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#576 of 680
In district
#30 of 32
Beaufort 01
School environment
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Whale Branch Elementary
Whale Branch Elementary is a regular public school located in Seabrook, South Carolina, nestled in a rural area near the town. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade with an enrollment of 400 students and a student-teacher ratio of 8:1. With 50 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Whale Branch Elementary provides a personalized learning environment for its young scholars.
The academic performance at Whale Branch Elementary shows room for growth, as indicated by the school's MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and state ranking of #1108 out of 1192 schools in South Carolina (7th percentile). Students perform around 20% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 15% proficient or above in Math, demonstrating areas where focused improvement can lead to significant gains. Whale Branch Elementary is situated in a quiet, rural setting that offers students a peaceful environment conducive to learning.
The school community is committed to the ongoing development of its students and fostering an encouraging educational atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, Whale Branch Elementary offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Whale Branch 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
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Whale Branch Elementary — Students at Whale Branch Elementary score 14% 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: 4.0/10.
How Whale Branch Elementary Compares
See how Whale Branch 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 22% (2019) to 17% (2022).
Location
15 Stuart Point Road, Seabrook, SC 29941
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Whale Branch Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Coosa Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Beaufort), which scores notably higher. Another option is Beaufort Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Beaufort), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Broad River Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Beaufort), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Seabrook, see our Seabrook schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Whale Branch Middle Seabrook | 0.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Whale Branch Early College High Seabrook | 1.3 mi | 7.5 |
| AGAPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lobeco | 1.7 mi | 7.3 |
| AMIKIDS BEAUFORT Seabrook | 4.1 mi | — |
| Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary Beaufort | 6.3 mi | 3.6 |
| Battery Creek High Beaufort | 6.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Robert Smalls Leadership Academy Beaufort | 7.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Broad River Elementary Beaufort | 7.7 mi | 8.5 |
| Beaufort Elementary Beaufort | 7.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Bridges Preparatory School Beaufort | 7.6 mi | 7.3 |
| BEAUFORT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Beaufort | 8.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Coosa Elementary Beaufort | 8.0 mi | 9.5 |
| BEAUFORT ACADEMY Beaufort | 8.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Beaufort Middle Beaufort | 9.5 mi | 4.4 |
| Mossy Oaks Elementary Beaufort | 9.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Beaufort High Beaufort | 9.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Riverview Charter School Beaufort | 10.2 mi | 5.8 |
| ST PETERS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Beaufort | 9.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Lady's Island Middle Beaufort | 10.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Lowcountry Montessori School Beaufort | 10.7 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29941 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$116,700
Median Home Value
$2,000,001
Population
246
College Educated
68.3%
Homeownership
94%
Poverty Rate
15%
Median Age
71
Community Profile
The community surrounding Whale Branch Elementary has a median household income of $116,700. It is a well-educated community where 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $2,000,001. The area has a poverty rate of 15.0%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Dennis Elementary Bishopville, SC | 4.4 |
| Lemira Elementary Sumter, SC | 4.4 |
| Marion Intermediate Marion, SC | 4.4 |
| Marrington Elementary Goose Creek, SC | 4.4 |
| Red Bank Elementary Lexington, SC | 4.4 |
| Richmond Drive Elementary Rock Hill, SC | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Whale Branch Elementary
What grades does Whale Branch Elementary serve?
Whale Branch Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Whale Branch Elementary?
Whale Branch Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 400 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Whale Branch Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Whale Branch Elementary is 8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Whale Branch Elementary rank in SC?
Whale Branch Elementary is ranked #1016 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Whale Branch Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Whale Branch Elementary has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Whale Branch Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whale Branch Elementary has 15.3% math proficiency and 20.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Whale Branch Elementary a charter school?
No, Whale Branch Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Whale Branch Elementary a Title I school?
No, Whale Branch Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Whale Branch Elementary?
100.0% of students at Whale Branch 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (1,094/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 400
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 50
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Beaufort County
- Phone
- (843) 466-1000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Beaufort 01- District Enrollment
- 21,489
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,232
- District Rank
- #30 of 32
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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