St. James Santee Elementary-Middle

St. James Santee Elementary-Middle is a small, rural PK-8 school in Mc Clellanville, SC, serving 167 students in the Charleston 01 school district, about 30 miles north of Charleston.

This school stands out for its remarkable resources and personalized attention. With a 9:1 student-teacher ratio—roughly half that of nearby schools like Laurel Hill Primary (15.5:1) or Charles Pinckney Elementary (17.2:1)—your child is likely to get significant individual support. The school also spends an extraordinary $41,647 per student, more than double what neighboring schools spend. Despite 100% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, chronic absenteeism is just 16.7%, lower than the district (20.5%) and state (22.3%) averages, and better than Cainhoy Elementary (23.8%). This suggests strong family engagement and a welcoming community atmosphere.

Academically, the picture is mixed. In elementary grades, ELA proficiency (45% in 4th grade) is below the state average (65.4%) but represents solid achievement for a high-poverty school. However, there's a noticeable "middle school cliff"—by 8th grade, only 14.3% of students are proficient in ELA and 19.1% in math. Science performance in 6th grade (45%) is notably stronger and close to the state average (51.9%). The school has stabilized after hitting historic lows in 2018-2019, now ranking in the 17th percentile statewide. For comparison, Cape Romain Environmental Education Charter School, just 4 miles away, achieves higher test scores (52.3% ELA proficiency in 5th grade) while spending far less ($12,321/student), though its performance has been less consistent. Ultimately, St. James Santee offers a caring, well-funded environment with strong attendance, but families should be aware that academic outcomes, especially in middle school, remain a challenge.