Elementary Schools in Bamberg 03

The Bamberg 03 school district in rural South Carolina is home to two elementary schools—Richard Carroll Elementary and Denmark-Olar Elementary—serving roughly 921 students from Pre-K through 6th grade, with the district ranking in the bottom third of the state.

If you are choosing between the two, Richard Carroll Elementary is the clear standout. It holds a 2-star rating, serves nearly three times as many students (689 vs. 232), and outperforms Denmark-Olar Elementary in almost every subject and grade. For example, 3rd grade ELA proficiency at Richard Carroll is 70.2%—well above the state average of 64.1%—while Denmark-Olar sits at 54.2%. Richard Carroll also shows a positive trend, improving its state ranking from the 31st to 40th percentile in the last year. In contrast, Denmark-Olar holds a 1-star rating, ranks in the bottom fifth of the state, and has seen volatile year-to-year swings in scores, such as 3rd grade math jumping from 17.6% to 54.1% in one year—likely due to very small class sizes.

One of the most striking findings is the spending paradox: Denmark-Olar Elementary spends $23,042 per student—39% more than Richard Carroll’s $16,591—yet achieves far lower academic results. This suggests that money alone isn’t the answer. Both schools struggle with math, as no grade level at either school meets the state average in that subject, and chronic absenteeism is a concern at both (21.9% at Richard Carroll, 24.4% at Denmark-Olar, vs. a 22.3% state average). Richard Carroll also shows a troubling pattern of declining performance as students advance, with 6th grade math proficiency at just 25.0%. However, its 6th grade science score (48.8%) nearly matches the state average, hinting at a possible area of strength. For parents, Richard Carroll offers a more consistent and higher-performing environment, while Denmark-Olar faces significant challenges despite its higher spending.