Needs Improvement
#1176 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
2.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
539
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
2.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#1,176 of 1,176
In Sumter
#20 of 20
public schools
In district
#24 of 24
Sumter 01
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Willow Drive Elementary
Elementary School in Sumter · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Sumter Christian School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Alice Drive Middle
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Willow Drive Elementary
Willow Drive Elementary is a public elementary school in Sumter, SC, part of Sumter 01. Willow Drive Elementary serves approximately 539 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Willow Drive Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,176 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for Willow Drive Elementary show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022).
- This school 2.1 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.0
- SC avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
33% of students at Willow Drive Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 24 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: 1.5/10.
How Willow Drive Elementary Compares
See how Willow Drive Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Liberty STEAM Charter School (rated 6.8/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alice Drive Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HOLY ANGELS ACADEMY (rated 6.8/10, 1.8 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 | 5.1 |
| Liberty STEAM Charter School Sumter | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Alice Drive Elementary Sumter | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| TRINITY DAY SCHOOL Sumter | 1.4 mi | — |
| Crosswell Drive Elementary Sumter | 1.6 mi | 3.5 |
| HOLY ANGELS ACADEMY Sumter | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Millwood Elementary Sumter | 2.0 mi | 6.5 |
| TEMPLE CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Sumter | 2.2 mi | — |
| Bates Middle Sumter | 2.5 mi | 3.4 |
| Wilder Elementary Sumter | 2.9 mi | 5.1 |
| WESTSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sumter | 2.9 mi | 4.0 |
| WILSON HALL Sumter | 2.5 mi | 5.4 |
| Lemira Elementary Sumter | 2.7 mi | 3.0 |
| Kingsbury Elementary Sumter | 3.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Sumter High School Sumter | 3.2 mi | 6.8 |
| Chestnut Oaks Middle Sumter | 3.1 mi | 2.3 |
| Crestwood High Sumter | 4.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Lakewood High Sumter | 5.7 mi | 5.1 |
| Ebenezer Middle Sumter | 6.0 mi | 2.2 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Hendersonville Elementary Walterboro, SC | 2.3 |
| Marshall Elementary Orangeburg, SC | 2.4 |
| R. E. Davis College Preparatory Academy Sumter, SC | 2.4 |
| Northside Elementary Walterboro, SC | 2.5 |
| Clinton Elementary Lancaster, SC | 2.6 |
| Manchester Elementary Pinewood, SC | 2.6 |
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 ranks #1,176 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Willow Drive Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Willow Drive Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.1 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 Willow Drive Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Willow Drive Elementary has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2011-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.8%
- Phone
- (803) 773-5796
Resources & Links
District
Sumter 01- District Enrollment
- 14,301
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,795
- District Rank
- #24 of 24
Other Schools in This District
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