Needs Improvement
#1155 of 1,176 schools in SC
Willow Drive Elementary
Elementary School · Sumter 01
26 Willow Drive, Sumter, SC 29150
Enrollment
539
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
3.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
539
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
3.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Sumter
#19 of 20
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#666 of 680
In district
#21 of 24
Sumter 01
About Willow Drive Elementary
Willow Drive Elementary in Sumter, South Carolina, is a regular public school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students. With an enrollment of 539 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child. The dedicated teaching staff consists of 36 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support their students’ learning.
While Willow Drive Elementary currently ranks lower in academic performance compared to other schools in South Carolina, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 2.0 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.3 out of 10, the school is focused on improving student outcomes. On standardized tests, only 17% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 15% are proficient or above in Math. Despite these challenges, Willow Drive Elementary remains committed to fostering a supportive learning environment for its young scholars.
Situated in the heart of Sumter's small city setting, the school is deeply connected to its local community, offering students opportunities to engage with their surroundings and learn from real-world experiences.
Score Breakdown
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Willow Drive Elementary — Students at Willow Drive Elementary score 16% 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: 3.4/10.
How Willow Drive Elementary Compares
See how Willow Drive Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 25% (2019) to 13% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 18% (2022).
Location
26 Willow Drive, Sumter, SC 29150
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Willow Drive Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wilder Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alice Drive Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Liberty STEAM Charter School (rated 6.8/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sumter, see our Sumter schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SUMTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sumter | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Alice Drive Middle Sumter | 1.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Liberty STEAM Charter School Sumter | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Alice Drive Elementary Sumter | 1.1 mi | 7.5 |
| TRINITY DAY SCHOOL Sumter | 1.4 mi | — |
| Crosswell Drive Elementary Sumter | 1.6 mi | 3.2 |
| HOLY ANGELS ACADEMY Sumter | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Millwood Elementary Sumter | 2.0 mi | 4.0 |
| TEMPLE CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Sumter | 2.2 mi | — |
| Bates Middle Sumter | 2.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Wilder Elementary Sumter | 2.9 mi | 7.7 |
| WESTSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sumter | 2.9 mi | 4.0 |
| WILSON HALL Sumter | 2.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Lemira Elementary Sumter | 2.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Kingsbury Elementary Sumter | 3.2 mi | 4.2 |
| Sumter High School Sumter | 3.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Chestnut Oaks Middle Sumter | 3.1 mi | 3.3 |
| Crestwood High Sumter | 4.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Lakewood High Sumter | 5.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Ebenezer Middle Sumter | 6.0 mi | 2.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29150 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$48,845
Median Home Value
$157,000
Median Rent
$951/mo
Population
38,525
College Educated
24.1%
Homeownership
58.4%
Avg Commute
20.6 min
Poverty Rate
16.6%
Median Age
38.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Willow Drive Elementary has a median household income of $48,845. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $157,000, with a median rent of $951/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.6%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| B. D. Lee Elementary Gaffney, SC | 3.2 |
| Crosswell Drive Elementary Sumter, SC | 3.2 |
| Edisto Elementary Orangeburg, SC | 3.2 |
| Byrd Elementary Graniteville, SC | 3.3 |
| Erwin Elementary Lancaster, SC | 3.3 |
| St. Stephen Elementary St. Stephen, SC | 3.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Willow Drive Elementary
What grades does Willow Drive Elementary serve?
Willow Drive Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Willow Drive Elementary?
Willow Drive Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 539 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Willow Drive Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Willow Drive Elementary is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Willow Drive Elementary rank in SC?
Willow Drive Elementary is ranked #1155 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Willow Drive Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Willow Drive Elementary has a composite rating of 3.2 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 Willow Drive Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Willow Drive Elementary has 15.2% math proficiency and 17.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Willow Drive Elementary a charter school?
No, Willow Drive Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Willow Drive Elementary a Title I school?
No, Willow Drive Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Willow Drive Elementary?
100.0% of students at Willow Drive 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
- City Safety
- High (4,813/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sumter). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 539
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Sumter County
- Phone
- (803) 773-5796
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Sumter 01- District Enrollment
- 14,301
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,795
- District Rank
- #21 of 24
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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