Summary:
Pendleton, South Carolina is home to three elementary schools—Pendleton Elementary, Mt. Lebanon Elementary, and La France Elementary—all serving grades PK-6 within the highly-rated Anderson 04 district, which ranks in the 95th percentile statewide.
Families in Pendleton have two standout options. La France Elementary is the district's top performer, ranking 34th in the state with a 5-star rating and exceptional consistency across all subjects—averaging 82% proficiency in both ELA and math. It also boasts an incredibly low chronic absenteeism rate of just 8.3%, less than half the district average. Mt. Lebanon Elementary is equally impressive academically, ranking 58th statewide with 5 stars, and shines brightest in ELA, where 4th and 5th graders achieve over 83% proficiency. Both schools outperform district and state averages by wide margins in every subject. By contrast, Pendleton Elementary lags significantly behind its sister schools, ranking 209th with a 3-star rating and averaging just 67% in ELA and 57% in math—roughly 15-25 points lower than the other two schools, despite similar spending per student and class sizes.
The most notable concern is at Pendleton Elementary, where 3rd grade scores are respectable (77% ELA, 75% math) but plummet by 4th grade, especially in math, which drops to just 46% proficiency—a red flag for curriculum transitions. On a positive note, all three schools excel in science, with even Pendleton beating the state average. While La France and Mt. Lebanon are clearly elite choices, Pendleton Elementary is improving year-over-year, making it a school to watch for families seeking upward momentum.
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