Summary:
Dillon 03 is home to one elementary school, Latta Elementary, which serves grades PK-5 in Latta, SC, with 721 students enrolled.
Latta Elementary is the sole elementary school in this district, and it has shown a strong upward trajectory in the most recent school year. The school jumped from the 43rd percentile to the 53rd percentile in statewide rankings, earning a 3-star rating—its highest in three years. This improvement is driven largely by remarkable gains in 3rd grade, where math proficiency soared by 27.3 percentage points to 65.6%, now well above the state average, and ELA proficiency jumped 15 points to 67.2%, also above the state average. 4th grade performance is solid as well, with ELA and math scores at or near state averages. However, 5th grade is a clear area of concern: ELA proficiency dropped 11.2 points to 51.3% and math fell 12.9 points to 39.8%, both now significantly below state averages. This "upper elementary slump" suggests that while early grades are thriving, older students may need additional support.
Beyond academics, the school shows relative strength in attendance, with a chronic absenteeism rate of 15.9%—better than both the district (18.2%) and state (22.3%) averages. The school also benefits from strong resources, spending $13,812 per student with a favorable 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Science remains the weakest subject, with 4th grade proficiency at 44.5%, still 7.1 points below the state average despite improvement. Overall, Latta Elementary is on a positive path, with early grades leading the way, but targeted interventions for 5th grade and science could help the school continue its climb.
Thank you for your feedback!