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Average

#865 of 1,176 schools in SC

William Memorial Elementary

Elementary School · Dorchester 04

290 South Metts Street, St. George, SC 29477

Enrollment

597

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In St. George

#2 of 2

public schools

South Carolina elementary schools

#486 of 680

In district

#4 of 6

Dorchester 04

School environment

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About William Memorial Elementary

William Memorial Elementary is a public elementary school in the rural area of St. George, South Carolina, located in Dorchester County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 597 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 13:1.

With 46 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, William Memorial Elementary focuses on providing personalized attention to each child's learning needs. The academic performance at William Memorial Elementary reflects areas for continued growth, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and a state ranking of 44th percentile among South Carolina schools. The school’s academic score is 4.7 out of 10, with 41% of students proficient in ELA/reading and 40% in math across all grade levels.

While William Memorial Elementary may be focusing on student development rather than just test scores, the rural setting offers a close-knit community where teachers, parents, and students work together to support each child's educational journey.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, William Memorial 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 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency39%
Reading/ELA Proficiency43%
Overall Proficiency41%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected+5.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,578

William Memorial Elementary — Students at William Memorial Elementary score 41% proficient, which is above 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 40.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
53%
ELA
48%
2021*
Math
29%
ELA
33%
2022
Math
39%
ELA
43%

* 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: 2.7/10.

How William Memorial Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
27th percentile in SC
Academic
6.6/10
6.6/10
Growth
2.7/10
Below average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
46 teachers

Location

290 South Metts Street, St. George, SC 29477

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering William Memorial Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lockett Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Branchville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Holly Hill Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Holly Hill), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Forest Hills Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 19.4 miles away, in nearby Walterboro), which scores notably higher. For more schools in St. George, see our St. George schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.4 mi
School Distance Rating
St. George Middle St. George 1.1 mi 7.6
DORCHESTER ACADEMY Saint George 2.3 mi 4.8
Woodland High Dorchester 5.7 mi 5.2
Lockett Elementary Branchville 12.4 mi 8.7
Branchville High Branchville 12.4 mi 7.7
Harleyville Elementary Dorchester 12.3 mi 5.8
Harleyville-Ridgeville Middle Dorchester 12.3 mi 6.3
Holly Hill Elementary Holly Hill 14.1 mi 7.4
Holly Hill-Roberts Middle Holly Hill 14.5 mi 3.6
HOLLY HILL ACADEMY Holly Hill 14.8 mi 7.1
Northside Elementary Walterboro 16.3 mi 3.6
Colleton County High Walterboro 16.6 mi 7.4
Colleton County Middle Walterboro 17.1 mi 4.4
COLLETON PREPARATORY ACADEMY Walterboro 17.6 mi 4.9
NORTH WALTERBORO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Walterboro 17.9 mi 6.9
Cottageville Elementary Cottageville 18.0 mi 4.9
Bethune-Bowman Elementary Rowesville 17.7 mi 2.7
Bethune-Bowman Middle/High Rowesville 17.7 mi 5.4
Lake Marion High School Santee 18.7 mi 7.8
Forest Hills Elementary Walterboro 19.4 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29477 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,581

Median Home Value

$75,300

Median Rent

$919/mo

Population

6,949

College Educated

19.5%

Homeownership

80%

Avg Commute

30.7 min

Poverty Rate

23.8%

Median Age

44

Community Profile

The community surrounding William Memorial Elementary has a median household income of $57,581. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $75,300, with a median rent of $919/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Anderson Mill Elementary Moore, SC 5.2
Bowen's Corner Elementary Hanahan, SC 5.2
Bradley Elementary Columbia, SC 5.2
Meeting Street Academy-Spartanburg Spartanburg, SC 5.2
Pocalla Springs Elementary Sumter, SC 5.2
Varennes Elementary Anderson, SC 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about William Memorial Elementary

What grades does William Memorial Elementary serve?

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

How many students attend William Memorial Elementary?

William Memorial Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 597 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at William Memorial Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at William Memorial Elementary is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does William Memorial Elementary rank in SC?

William Memorial Elementary is ranked #865 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is William Memorial Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

William Memorial 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 William Memorial Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, William Memorial Elementary has 40.3% math proficiency and 41.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is William Memorial Elementary a charter school?

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

Is William Memorial Elementary a Title I school?

No, William Memorial Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

100.0% of students at William Memorial 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 (5,565/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
597
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
46
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Dorchester County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Dorchester 04
District Enrollment
2,160
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,434
District Rank
#4 of 6

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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