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Needs Improvement

#1054 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

3.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina schools

#1,054 of 1,176

In Seabrook

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#32 of 32

Beaufort 01

School environment

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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Whale Branch Elementary

3.9/10

Elementary School in Seabrook · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Whale Branch Middle

4.9/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Whale Branch Early College High

9.4/10

1.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Whale Branch Elementary

Whale Branch Elementary is a public elementary school in Seabrook, SC, part of Beaufort 01. Whale Branch Elementary serves approximately 400 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 8:1 student-teacher ratio. Whale Branch Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,054 of 1,176 schools in SC.

Structured state assessment records for Whale Branch Elementary show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.8 pts below district
  • This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 6.7
  • SC avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 8:1 students to teachers, Whale Branch Elementary sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Whale Branch 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 metrics
Student Progress3.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.56 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics1.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-21.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
Resources & Environment9.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,232
Chronic Absenteeism25.8%

Whale Branch Elementary — Students at Whale Branch Elementary score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 36.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
67%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
12%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
17%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How Whale Branch Elementary Compares

See how Whale Branch Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
11th percentile in SC
Academic
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.1/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.8/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Beaufort), which scores notably higher. Another option is Riverview Charter School (rated 7.8/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Beaufort), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST PETERS CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 9.8 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 4.9
Whale Branch Early College High Seabrook 1.3 mi 9.4
AGAPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lobeco 1.7 mi 7.3
AMIKIDS BEAUFORT Seabrook 4.1 mi
Joseph S. Shanklin Elementary Beaufort 6.3 mi 4.1
Battery Creek High Beaufort 6.9 mi 8.9
Robert Smalls Leadership Academy Beaufort 7.4 mi 7.0
Broad River Elementary Beaufort 7.7 mi 6.5
Beaufort Elementary Beaufort 7.7 mi 6.6
Bridges Preparatory School Beaufort 7.6 mi 8.3
BEAUFORT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Beaufort 8.4 mi 4.3
Coosa Elementary Beaufort 8.0 mi 8.8
BEAUFORT ACADEMY Beaufort 8.9 mi 7.4
Beaufort Middle Beaufort 9.5 mi 5.3
Mossy Oaks Elementary Beaufort 9.6 mi 6.4
Beaufort High Beaufort 9.4 mi 7.8
Riverview Charter School Beaufort 10.2 mi 7.8
ST PETERS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Beaufort 9.8 mi 7.7
Lady's Island Middle Beaufort 10.0 mi 5.6
Lowcountry Montessori School Beaufort 10.7 mi 6.1

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
W. B. Goodwin Elementary North Charleston, SC 3.9
Arcadia Elementary Spartanburg, SC 3.8
Cheraw Intermediate Cheraw, SC 4.0
Eastside Elementary Clinton, SC 4.0
Harleyville Elementary Dorchester, SC 3.8
Jesse S. Bobo Elementary Spartanburg, SC 4.0

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 ranks #1,054 of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Whale Branch Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Whale Branch Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 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 Whale Branch Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Whale Branch Elementary has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.8%

District

Beaufort 01
District Enrollment
21,489
Schools in District
32
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,232
District Rank
#32 of 32

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