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Average

#880 of 1,176 schools in SC

Whittaker Elementary

Elementary School · Orangeburg

790 Whittaker Parkway, Orangeburg, SC 29115

Enrollment

369

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Orangeburg

#6 of 10

public schools

South Carolina elementary schools

#496 of 680

In district

#18 of 26

Orangeburg

About Whittaker Elementary

Whittaker Elementary is a regular public school located in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 369 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Whittaker Elementary shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1144 out of 1192 schools in South Carolina.

Students are performing below the average proficiency levels in both ELA/Reading (29%) and Math (24%). Despite these challenges, the school community is dedicated to supporting each student's development. Whittaker Elementary is situated in a town setting, providing students with a close-knit environment that encourages engagement and involvement from both families and teachers.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Whittaker Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24%
Reading/ELA Proficiency29%
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-9.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,232

Whittaker Elementary — Students at Whittaker Elementary score 26% 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 24.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 29.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 3 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2021*
Math
25%
2022
Math
24%
ELA
29%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Whittaker Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
25th percentile in SC
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

790 Whittaker Parkway, Orangeburg, SC 29115

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Whittaker Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Brookdale Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Felton Laboratory Charter School (rated 7.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sheridan Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Orangeburg, see our Orangeburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Robert E. Howard Middle Orangeburg 0.6 mi 2.5
Felton Laboratory Charter School Orangeburg 0.8 mi 7.2
Brookdale Elementary Orangeburg 1.1 mi 7.7
ORANGEBURG CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Orangeburg 1.4 mi 4.4
Mellichamp Elementary Orangeburg 1.9 mi 3.2
Orangeburg Wilkinson High Orangeburg 2.2 mi 5.9
William J. Clark Middle Orangeburg 2.0 mi 5.6
ST ANDREWS METHODIST KINDERGARTEN Orangeburg 2.3 mi
Marshall Elementary Orangeburg 2.4 mi 2.1
OCSD High School for Health Professions Orangeburg 2.6 mi
FIRST SOUTHERN METHODIST CHR & WESLEY CHRISTIAN SC Orangeburg 2.6 mi 7.4
Sheridan Elementary Orangeburg 2.8 mi 7.1
ORANGEBURG PREPARATORY SCHOOL Orangeburg 3.7 mi 5.3
Edisto Primary Cordova 6.1 mi 5.9
Edisto High Cordova 6.8 mi 8.6
Edisto Elementary Orangeburg 7.2 mi 3.2
Bethune-Bowman Elementary Rowesville 8.1 mi 2.7
Bethune-Bowman Middle/High Rowesville 8.1 mi 5.4
Carver Edisto Middle Cope 9.7 mi 5.4
CALHOUN ACADEMY Saint Matthews 11.5 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29115 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$34,174

Median Home Value

$95,600

Median Rent

$779/mo

Population

27,179

College Educated

19.3%

Homeownership

50.8%

Avg Commute

26.5 min

Poverty Rate

31.1%

Median Age

37.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Whittaker Elementary has a median household income of $34,174. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $95,600, with a median rent of $779/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.1%, 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
Bradley Elementary Columbia, SC 5.2
Edward E. Taylor Elementary Columbia, SC 5.2
Hendersonville Elementary Walterboro, SC 5.2
Meeting Street Academy-Spartanburg Spartanburg, SC 5.2
Varennes Elementary Anderson, SC 5.2
Corinth Elementary Gaffney, SC 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Whittaker Elementary

What grades does Whittaker Elementary serve?

Whittaker Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Whittaker Elementary?

Whittaker Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 369 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Whittaker Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Whittaker Elementary is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Whittaker Elementary rank in SC?

Whittaker Elementary is ranked #880 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Whittaker Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Whittaker Elementary has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Whittaker Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whittaker Elementary has 24.5% math proficiency and 29.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Whittaker Elementary a charter school?

No, Whittaker Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Whittaker Elementary a Title I school?

No, Whittaker Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Whittaker Elementary?

100.0% of students at Whittaker 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

City Safety
High (7,492/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Orangeburg). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
369
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Orangeburg County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Orangeburg
District Enrollment
10,620
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,571
District Rank
#18 of 26

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.

Read our full methodology

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