Best Elementary Schools in Chesterfield, SC

Chesterfield, South Carolina is home to just one elementary school, Edwards Elementary, which serves grades PK through 5 and enrolls 538 students within the Chesterfield 01 school district.

For parents considering Edwards Elementary, the most important takeaway is that this school is a clear bright spot within a district that ranks in the bottom third of South Carolina. While the district sits at the 21st percentile statewide, Edwards Elementary has held a stable ranking in the 40th percentile for three consecutive years, earning a 2-star rating. The school consistently outperforms its district across nearly every subject and grade level. In 2025-2026 mathematics, for example, the school exceeded district proficiency by 16 to 18 percentage points. The school also posted impressive year-over-year math gains, improving by roughly 10 points in each grade level. Fifth grade English Language Arts is a particular strength, with 66.7% of students scoring proficient—actually surpassing the state average of 63.6%. Chronic absenteeism is another positive: at 17.7%, it is well below both the district (24.1%) and state (22.3%) rates, suggesting a healthy school culture. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.5:1 and per-student spending of $13,528, the school appears reasonably well-resourced.

However, there are areas that need attention. Science proficiency is the weakest subject, with only 32.5% of 4th graders proficient in 2025-2026—a decline from the prior year and 19 points below the state average. Early-grade literacy also lags, as 3rd and 4th grade ELA proficiency trails state averages by roughly 11 and 17 points respectively, even though 5th grade excels. This suggests a potential gap in foundational reading skills that could impact future performance. Overall, Edwards Elementary offers a solid, stable educational option in an otherwise struggling district, with strong math programming and a positive attendance record, but families should be aware of the challenges in science and early literacy.