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Fort Dorchester Elementary

Q: Is Fort Dorchester Elementary a good school?

Fort Dorchester Elementary ranks 164 th of 640 South Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

164^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 640 South Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 74% of South Carolina elementary schools

Summary

Fort Dorchester Elementary is a public elementary school in Summerville, South Carolina, serving 860 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Dorchester 02 school district, which is ranked 19 out of 75 districts in the state and has a 4-star rating.

Fort Dorchester Elementary consistently outperforms the Dorchester 02 district and the state of South Carolina in standardized test scores across all grade levels and subjects. In the 2024-2025 school year, 73.5% of 3rd graders, 75.2% of 4th graders, and 73.2% of 5th graders were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the district's 66.2%, 69.6%, and 69.2%, respectively, and the state's 61.8%, 63.5%, and 62.5%. The school's performance in mathematics and science is also noteworthy, with 66.5% of 3rd graders, 64.8% of 4th graders, and 47.8% of 5th graders proficient or better in math, and 57.6% of 4th graders proficient or better in science.

While Fort Dorchester Elementary outperforms nearby Dr. Eugene Sires Elementary, Oakbrook Elementary, and Joseph R. Pye Elementary in the Dorchester 02 district, its performance is not as strong when compared to schools in the Charleston 01 district, such as Pinehurst Elementary, A.C. Corcoran Elementary, and Hunley Park Elementary. Additionally, the school's fluctuating chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 16.0% to 28.5%, may be an area of concern that could impact its overall performance.

801

Students ?

13.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,047

Per pupil spending ?

50.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

5201 Old Glory Lane
Summerville, SC 29485

(843) 832-5550

District: Dorchester 02

Students who attend Fort Dorchester Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Oakbrook Middle
	Rollings Middle School of the Arts
High:	Fort Dorchester High

Racial breakdown:

White:

41.2%

African American:

27.1%

Hispanic:

16.4%

See top rated South Carolina elementary schools

Compare Fort Dorchester Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 91st percentile in 2015 → 74th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the South Carolina average (66% vs 56% meeting standards)

✓Above the South Carolina median (74th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 17 percentile points since 2015

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school66%

District avg61%

South Carolina avg56%

164^th of 640

South Carolina public elementary schools ?

Top 26%▼ down 16 pts since 2015

From top 9% (2015) to top 26% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of South Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

5^th of 15Elementary Schools in the Dorchester 02

19^th of 75Dorchester 02 among South Carolina districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	74.3	164 of 640	74.4%	★★★★☆
2024	77.3	142 of 638	77.7%	★★★★☆
2023	71.9	176 of 644	72.7%	★★★★☆
2022	73.2	164 of 625	73.8%	★★★★☆
2021	70.9	167 of 622	73.2%	★★★★☆
2019	93.7	26 of 643	96.0%	★★★★★
2018	90.2	48 of 624	92.3%	★★★★★
2017	90.7	39 of 639	93.9%	★★★★★
2016	87.8	50 of 619	91.9%	★★★★★
2015	85.3	60 of 638	90.6%	★★★★★
2014	83.2	63 of 630	90.0%	★★★★★
2013	87.9	28 of 599	95.3%	★★★★★
2012	84.4	51 of 594	91.4%	★★★★★
2011	85.8	42 of 597	93.0%	★★★★★
2010	85.2	53 of 589	91.0%	★★★★★
2009	84.6	54 of 580	90.7%	★★★★★
2008	78.6	92 of 577	84.1%	★★★★☆
2007	70.6	157 of 566	72.3%	★★★★☆
2006	76.1	109 of 559	80.5%	★★★★☆
2005	76.6	105 of 557	81.1%	★★★★☆
2004	77.2	109 of 550	80.2%	★★★★☆
2003	76.7	112 of 542	79.3%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	76.6	60 of 381	84.3%	★★★★☆
2024	80.7	41 of 369	88.9%	★★★★☆
2023	78.9	52 of 394	86.8%	★★★★☆
2022	83.1	36 of 393	90.8%	★★★★★
2021	84.5	25 of 350	92.9%	★★★★★
2019	97.7	4 of 421	99.0%	★★★★★
2018	97.8	5 of 412	98.8%	★★★★★

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2022	66.5	45 of 151	70.2%	★★★★☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	87.4	11 of 104	89.4%	★★★★★
2024	93.7	6 of 79	92.4%	★★★★★
2021	93.0	6 of 84	92.9%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	71.1	167 of 581	71.3%	★★★★☆
2024	81.5	91 of 565	83.9%	★★★★☆
2023	75.4	134 of 580	76.9%	★★★★☆
2022	73.1	141 of 573	75.4%	★★★★☆
2021	71.4	146 of 554	73.6%	★★★★☆
2019	91.7	28 of 588	95.2%	★★★★★
2018	88.5	50 of 570	91.2%	★★★★★

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2022	34.7	91 of 109	16.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	51.1	109 of 147	25.9%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	71.8	38 of 156	75.6%	★★★★☆
2024	76.4	20 of 115	82.6%	★★★★☆
2023	85.4	14 of 115	87.8%	★★★★☆
2022	92.7	7 of 115	93.9%	★★★★★
2019	97.8	1 of 116	99.1%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	75.9	117 of 613	80.9%	★★★★☆
2024	77.8	101 of 599	83.1%	★★★★☆
2023	71.6	146 of 608	76.0%	★★★★☆
2022	68.9	170 of 600	71.7%	★★★★☆
2021	78.1	101 of 580	82.6%	★★★★☆
2019	95.9	6 of 600	99.0%	★★★★★
2018	90.0	35 of 588	94.0%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	73.4	151 of 586	74.2%	★★★★☆
2024	67.8	179 of 568	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	65.8	190 of 582	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	69.3	170 of 579	70.6%	★★★★☆
2021	64.4	183 of 561	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	93.4	24 of 590	95.9%	★★★★★
2018	89.2	46 of 571	91.9%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	68.9	142 of 460	69.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	72.5	112 of 441	74.6%	★★★★☆
2023	64.6	162 of 463	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	58.7	195 of 455	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	50.5	230 of 439	47.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	88.9	35 of 472	92.6%	★★★★★
2018	80.4	78 of 457	82.9%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

English Language Learner (2025)89th percentile+15 vs school

African American (2025)84th percentile+10 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)81st percentile+7 vs school

Hispanic (2025)76th percentile~ school

Male (2025)74th percentile~ school

Female (2025)71st percentile-3 vs school

Disabled (2022)70th percentile-4 vs school

White (2025)69th percentile-5 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2022)17th percentile-57 vs school

By subject vs South Carolina (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts74%+11 vs state

Mathematics60%+7 vs state

Science58%+8 vs state

3.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a citizen
Thursday, May 28, 2015

My grandaughter, who lives with me, has been at FDES for five years and will be entering fifth grade in August. We could not be more pleased with the education she is receiving. The teachers care about their students and truly want them to learn. I come from a family of educators and am delighted with the education that is provided, both academic and social. The administration knows the students by name and seems to support the teachers. It is a shame that SC does not financially value their teachers, who work very hard and use their own money in many cases, for the students' benefit. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, April 18, 2012

If you are like most involved parents you are reading this because you are new to the area or considering the area. This school like other schools these days are pushing for high state test scores. They have completely lost sight of a good curriculum with innovative staff. But if you were underpaid and left without support of your principal how much would you do? If you don't mind your children treated like cattle and ignored when bullied or don't mind being ignored as a concerned parent then this is the school for you! If you want genuine concerned staff teaching your child and want a school full of opportunity and true parent involvement and consideration then you should RUN THE OTHER WAY! On a side note you should cringe at the thought of sending your child here if they have ANY SPECIAL NEEDS! FORGET IT! You will be disappointed and frustrated at the very least! Close Quote

Schools Near Fort Dorchester Elementary

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				SC READY English Language Arts (2025)			SC READY Mathematics (2025)			SC READY Science (2025)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	SC READY English Language Arts 3rd Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 4th Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 5th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 3rd Grade	SC READY Mathematics 4th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 5th Grade	SC READY Science 4th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures: Total	Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Non-Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Personnel Spending from State and Local Funds	Non-Personnel from State and Local Funds	Sub-total Spending from State and Local Funds
Fort Dorchester Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	5201 Old Glory Lane	Summerville	29485	Dorchester County	Dorchester 02	No	No	No	No	(843) 832-5550	801	57	13.9		330 (41.2%)	217 (27.1%)	131 (16.4%)	52 (6.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)	69 (8.6%)	74.3	164^th of 640 public elementary schools	74.4%		77.3	142^nd of 638 public elementary schools	77.7%	22	73.5	75.2	73.2	66.5	64.8	47.8	57.6	$14,047	$763	$834	$1,597	$11,031	$1,420	$12,450
Oakbrook Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	306 Old Fort Drive	Ladson	29456	Dorchester County	Dorchester 02	No	No	No	Yes	(843) 821-1165	649	43	15.0		199 (30.7%)	291 (44.8%)	90 (13.9%)	12 (1.8%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.3%)	54 (8.3%)	39.6	384^th of 640 public elementary schools	40.0%		40.7	377^th of 638 public elementary schools	40.9%	7	58.8	63.2	57.0	34.6	44.2	45.0	38.9	$14,038	$823	$910	$1,733	$10,600	$1,706	$12,305
Joseph R. Pye Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	9701 Patriot Boulevard	Ladson	29456	Dorchester County	Dorchester 02	No	No	No	Yes	(843) 695-2979	775	55	14.0		319 (41.2%)	222 (28.6%)	111 (14.3%)	31 (4.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	92 (11.9%)	75.9	155^th of 640 public elementary schools	75.8%		84.3	92^nd of 638 public elementary schools	85.6%	63	72.5	70.8	74.6	65.7	71.7	56.8	53.5	$13,007	$760	$806	$1,566	$9,780	$1,662	$11,441
Eagle Nest Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	8640 River Oaks Drive	North Charleston	29420	Dorchester County	Dorchester 02	No	No	No	Yes	(843) 695-2460	653	45	14.4		135 (20.7%)	213 (32.6%)	204 (31.2%)	19 (2.9%)	1 (0.2%)	4 (0.6%)	77 (11.8%)	26.1	479^th of 640 public elementary schools	25.2%		35.3	410^th of 638 public elementary schools	35.7%	69	48.5	57.0	50.0	33.4	35.0	25.0	44.0	$14,279	$627	$919	$1,546	$11,274	$1,459	$12,733
Windsor Hill Arts Infused Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	8600 William Moultrie Drive	North Charleston	29420	Dorchester County	Dorchester 02	No	No	No	Yes	(843) 760-9820	622	54	11.6		114 (18.3%)	271 (43.6%)	154 (24.8%)	22 (3.5%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	57 (9.2%)	37.7	394^th of 640 public elementary schools	38.4%		40.4	379^th of 638 public elementary schools	40.6%	15	45.5	60.2	59.3	40.9	42.7	45.9	40.7	$15,236	$938	$939	$1,877	$11,602	$1,757	$13,359
Dr. Eugene Sires Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	301 Chandler Creek Road	Summerville	29485	Dorchester County	Dorchester 02	No	No	No	Yes	(843) 695-5205	791	54	14.7		332 (42.0%)	242 (30.6%)	110 (13.9%)	7 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.4%)	97 (12.3%)	62.1	241^st of 640 public elementary schools	62.3%		67.9	200^th of 638 public elementary schools	68.7%	41	70.8	68.0	61.7	60.8	55.7	43.4	55.7	$12,121	$583	$950	$1,534	$9,021	$1,567	$10,588
Pepperhill Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3300 Creola Road	North Charleston	29420	Charleston County	Charleston 01	No	No	No	Yes	(843) 767-5905	453	34	13.4		25 (5.5%)	214 (47.2%)	185 (40.8%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (5.7%)	6	629^th of 640 public elementary schools	1.7%		12.6	570^th of 638 public elementary schools	10.7%	59	28.8	40.9	31.8	16.3	25.3	23.8	12.7	$24,397	$5,692	$2,064	$7,756	$13,563	$3,078	$16,641
Ladson Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3321 Ladson Road	Ladson	29456	Charleston County	Charleston 01	No	No	No	Yes	(843) 764-2225	907	63	14.3		139 (15.3%)	427 (47.1%)	283 (31.2%)	4 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (5.8%)	8.1	616^th of 640 public elementary schools	3.8%		10.2	597^th of 638 public elementary schools	6.4%	19	33.8	35.9	39.4	29.8	22.3	25.2	19.8	$19,704	$4,216	$1,808	$6,024	$10,897	$2,783	$13,680
Summerville Prep	Public, Charter	K-8	1899 Bacons Bridge Road	Summerville	29485	Dorchester County	Limestone Charters Association	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(843) 278-9726	595	39	15.4		314 (52.8%)	165 (27.7%)	42 (7.1%)	9 (1.5%)	4 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	61 (10.3%)								(n/a)
Pinehurst Elementary	Public	1-5	7753 Northside Drive	North Charleston	29420	Charleston County	Charleston 01	No	No	No	Yes	(843) 824-8728	758	66	11.4		30 (4.0%)	111 (14.6%)	599 (79.0%)	1 (0.1%)	4 (0.5%)	3 (0.4%)	10 (1.3%)	11.3	590^th of 640 public elementary schools	7.8%		9.2	608^th of 638 public elementary schools	4.7%	18	29.3	32.7	28.0	43.9	30.8	30.6	19.2	$20,017	$6,304	$1,759	$8,063	$9,469	$2,484	$11,953

Frequently Asked Questions about Fort Dorchester Elementary

How many students attend Fort Dorchester Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 801 students attended Fort Dorchester Elementary.

What schools do graduates of Fort Dorchester Elementary attend?

Students who attend Fort Dorchester Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Oakbrook Middle
Middle : Rollings Middle School of the Arts
High : Fort Dorchester High

Is Fort Dorchester Elementary a good school?

Fort Dorchester Elementary ranks 164^th of 640 South Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What district is Fort Dorchester Elementary in?

Dorchester 02

What is the racial makeup of Fort Dorchester Elementary?

Students at Fort Dorchester Elementary are 41% White, 27% African American, 16% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 6% Asian.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the South Carolina Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.