Fort Dorchester Elementary

Public PK, KG-5

 5201 Old Glory Lane
       Summerville, SC  29485


(843) 832-5550

District: Dorchester 02

SchoolDigger Rank:
176th of 644 South Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,541 Help


Students who attend Fort Dorchester Elementary usually attend:

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

Student/teacher ratio:  14.7 Help
Number of students:  892

Racial breakdown:

White:
41.6%
African American:
30.7%
Hispanic:
14.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  51.6% Help


 See top rated South Carolina elementary schools

 Compare Fort Dorchester Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Fort Dorchester Elementary ranks better than 72.7% of elementary schools in South Carolina. It also ranks 7th among 15 ranked elementary schools in the Dorchester 02 School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 71.95. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Fort Dorchester Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (41.6%), African American (30.7%), Hispanic (14.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 51.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Fort Dorchester Elementary is 14.7, which is the 5th best among 15 elementary schools in the Dorchester 02 School District. (See more...)
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Compare Fort Dorchester Elementary employs 60.4 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Fort Dorchester Elementary is $11,541. 8 elementary schools in the Dorchester 02 School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Fort Dorchester Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Fort Dorchester Elementary 176th of 644 South Carolina public elementary schools. (See Fort Dorchester Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Dorchester 02:

SchoolDigger ranks Dorchester 02 14th of 77 South Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Fort Dorchester Elementary?

Rank History for Fort Dorchester Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Fort Dorchester Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 76.75 112th 542 79.3%
2004 77.20 109th 550 80.2%
2005 76.62 105th 557 81.1%
2006 76.13 109th 559 80.5%
2007 70.58 157th 566 72.3%
2008 78.56 92nd 577 84.1%
2009 84.57 54th 580 90.7%
2010 85.19 53rd 589 91.0%
2011 85.78 42nd 597 93.0%
2012 84.39 51st 594 91.4%
2013 87.88 28th 599 95.3%
2014 83.23 63rd 630 90.0%
2015 85.27 60th 638 90.6%
2016 87.76 50th 619 91.9%
2017 90.70 39th 639 93.9%
2018 90.17 48th 624 92.3%
2019 93.69 26th 643 96.0%
2021 70.91 167th 622 73.2%
2022 73.19 164th 625 73.8%
2023 71.95 176th 644 72.7%
See the entire list of South Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Fort Dorchester Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 92.97 6th 84 92.9%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Fort Dorchester Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 89.99 35th 588 94.0%
2019 95.86 6th 600 99.0%
2021 78.06 101st 580 82.6%
2022 68.95 170th 600 71.7%
2023 71.57 146th 608 76.0%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Fort Dorchester Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 88.54 50th 570 91.2%
2019 91.72 28th 588 95.2%
2021 71.37 146th 554 73.6%
2022 73.09 141st 573 75.4%
2023 75.39 134th 580 76.9%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Fort Dorchester Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 66.47 45th 151 70.2%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Gifted and Talented students at Fort Dorchester Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 51.10 109th 147 25.9%
2022 34.67 91st 109 16.5%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for Male students at Fort Dorchester Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 89.16 46th 571 91.9%
2019 93.42 24th 590 95.9%
2021 64.38 183rd 561 67.4%
2022 69.32 170th 579 70.6%
2023 65.83 190th 582 67.4%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Fort Dorchester Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 97.82 5th 412 98.8%
2019 97.73 4th 421 99.0%
2021 84.52 25th 350 92.9%
2022 83.09 36th 393 90.8%
2023 78.87 52nd 394 86.8%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Fort Dorchester Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 97.77 1st 116 99.1%
2022 92.69 7th 115 93.9%
2023 85.35 14th 115 87.8%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Fort Dorchester Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 80.42 78th 457 82.9%
2019 88.88 35th 472 92.6%
2021 50.50 230th 439 47.6%
2022 58.69 195th 455 57.1%
2023 64.63 162nd 463 65.0%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: South Carolina Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Fort Dorchester Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
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Data source: South Carolina State Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
50%

0%

0%

0%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a citizen
Thursday, May 28, 2015

Open Quote 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

Open Quote 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



Enrollment information for Fort Dorchester Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2002 480 240 29 16 1 n/a n/a 6 772
2003 480 240 29 16 1 n/a n/a 6 772
2004 548 250 38 21 1 n/a n/a 7 865
2005 727 305 54 29 4 n/a n/a 9 1128
2006 864 351 77 63 5 n/a n/a 8 1368
2007 942 404 78 95 5 n/a n/a 0 1524
2008 665 236 86 57 2 n/a n/a 0 1046
2009 658 253 95 68 2 n/a n/a 0 1076
2010 690 295 103 103 5 n/a n/a 0 1196
2011 757 293 87 141 8 12 14 0 1312
2012 624 235 69 100 2 9 65 0 1104
2013 629 263 64 102 1 7 70 0 1136
2014 628 278 73 102 0 7 78 0 1166
2015 623 297 67 100 0 6 76 0 1169
2016 673 267 67 114 0 6 79 0 1206
2017 584 227 75 103 1 3 92 0 1085
2018 530 201 69 87 0 2 83 0 972
2019 508 211 68 88 0 3 84 0 962
2020 476 232 78 103 0 5 89 0 983
2021 393 235 65 105 0 2 77 0 877
2022 376 245 55 112 1 2 72 0 863
2023 371 274 55 128 0 0 64 0 892

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Fort Dorchester Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2002 772 50.0 15.4 26.4
2003 772 50.0 15.4 26.4
2004 865 56.0 15.4 24.6
2005 1128 67.0 16.8 23
2006 1368 82.0 16.7 23.8
2007 1524 114.5 13.3 27.5
2008 1046 67.0 15.6 18.6
2009 1076 75.0 14.3 22.3
2010 1196 69.0 17.3 26.4
2011 1312 75.5 17.3 25.2
2012 1104 66.0 16.7 24
2013 1136 65.6 17.3 26.8
2014 1166 65.0 17.9 27
2015 1169 67.0 17.4 23.4
2016 1206 66.0 18.2 26.2
2017 1085 64.0 16.9 26.4
2018 972 63.0 15.4 29.2
2019 962 59.0 16.3 29.3
2020 983 60.0 16.3 31.8
2021 877 60.4 14.5 33.1
2022 863 60.0 14.3 37.2
2023 892 60.4 14.7 51.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Fort Dorchester Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2002 772 50.0 15.4 26.4
2003 772 50.0 15.4 26.4
2004 865 56.0 15.4 24.6
2005 1128 67.0 16.8 23
2006 1368 82.0 16.7 23.8
2007 1524 114.5 13.3 27.5
2008 1046 67.0 15.6 18.6
2009 1076 75.0 14.3 22.3
2010 1196 69.0 17.3 26.4
2011 1312 75.5 17.3 25.2
2012 1104 66.0 16.7 24
2013 1136 65.6 17.3 26.8
2014 1166 65.0 17.9 27
2015 1169 67.0 17.4 23.4
2016 1206 66.0 18.2 26.2
2017 1085 64.0 16.9 26.4
2018 972 63.0 15.4 29.2
2019 962 59.0 16.3 29.3
2020 983 60.0 16.3 31.8
2021 877 60.4 14.5 33.1
2022 863 60.0 14.3 37.2
2023 892 60.4 14.7 51.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Fort Dorchester Elementary

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YearPersonnel Expenditures from Federal FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from Federal FundsTotal Expenditures from Federal FundsPersonnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $599 (6.5%) $214 (2.3%) $813 (8.8%) $7,379 (80.0%) $1,030 (11.2%) $8,409 (91.2%) $9,222
2020 $519 (5.7%) $267 (2.9%) $786 (8.7%) $7,266 (80.2%) $1,008 (11.1%) $8,274 (91.3%) $9,061
2021 $566 (6.2%) $267 (2.9%) $833 (9.1%) $7,306 (80.2%) $976 (10.7%) $8,282 (90.9%) $9,114
2022 $730 (6.8%) $575 (5.4%) $1,305 (12.2%) $8,367 (78.4%) $1,006 (9.4%) $9,373 (87.8%) $10,678
2023 $1,001 (8.7%) $769 (6.7%) $1,771 (15.3%) $8,540 (74.0%) $1,230 (10.7%) $9,770 (84.7%) $11,541

Data source: South Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Fort Dorchester Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 26th of 643 Elementary schoolsRanks 176th of 644 Elementary schools
 23.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Fort Dorchester Elementary)74.870.6
 4.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Dorchester 02)61.261.8
 0.6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)49.753.5
 3.8%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Fort Dorchester Elementary)79.550
 29.5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Dorchester 02)65.358.1
 7.2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)57.753.6
 4.1%
4th Grade Science (Fort Dorchester Elementary)79.761.6
 18.1%
   4th Grade Science (Dorchester 02)58.253.7
 4.5%
   4th Grade Science (South Carolina)5246.6
 5.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Fort Dorchester Elementary)79.772
 7.7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Dorchester 02)61.567.1
 5.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)51.357.2
 5.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Fort Dorchester Elementary)79.158.4
 20.7%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Dorchester 02)60.152.9
 7.2%
   4th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)50.547
 3.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Fort Dorchester Elementary)65.170.9
 5.8%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Dorchester 02)53.565.3
 11.8%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)4155.2
 14.2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Fort Dorchester Elementary)75.239.6
 35.6%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Dorchester 02)51.950.8
 1.1%
   5th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)45.444.6
 0.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students962892
 7.3%
African American211274
 29.9%
American Indian00
Asian6855
 19.1%
Hispanic88128
 45.5%
Pacific Islander30
 100%
White508371
 27%
Two or More Races8464
 23.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients29.3%51.6%
 22.3%


Schools Near Fort Dorchester Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Fort Dorchester Elementary

Fort Dorchester Elementary ranks 176th of 644 South Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Students at Fort Dorchester Elementary are 42% White, 31% African American, 14% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 6% Asian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 892 students attended Fort Dorchester Elementary.

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


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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. School Attendance Areas provided by ATTOM.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that school and district boundary data 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.





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