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Liberty STEAM Charter School

Q: Is Liberty STEAM Charter School a good school?

Liberty STEAM Charter School ranks 307 th of 649 South Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter Grades K-4

307^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 649 South Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 53% of South Carolina elementary schools

Summary

Liberty STEAM Charter School is a public charter elementary school in Sumter, SC, serving 730 students in grades K-4 under the School Public Charter School District.

This school stands out dramatically from its neighbors in the Sumter 01 district. While most nearby elementary schools rank in the bottom 10-30% of the state, Liberty STEAM consistently earns a 3-star rating and sits in the 53rd percentile statewide. The reading scores are particularly impressive: 64.7% of 3rd graders and 64.2% of 4th graders are proficient in English Language Arts, which is 20 to 35 percentage points higher than schools like R. E. Davis College Preparatory Academy (26.8% and 29.4%) and Cherryvale Elementary (40% and 44.2%). Science scores also shine at 53.7% proficiency, above the state average. Even more telling, chronic absenteeism sits at just 15.2%—roughly one-third the rate of nearby schools like Willow Drive Elementary (52.8%) and Lemira Elementary (45.1%).

What makes these results even more remarkable is that Liberty STEAM achieves them while serving a student body where nearly 75% qualify for free or reduced lunch, and it spends less per student ($14,135) than many struggling peers. The school is particularly effective for its African American students, ranking in the 65th percentile statewide. However, there are areas needing attention: math proficiency (around 50%) lags the state average, and the school ranks in the bottom quarter for students with disabilities. Still, the long-term trend is positive, with steady improvement in 3rd-grade reading over three years. For parents seeking a school that delivers strong academics despite economic challenges, Liberty STEAM is clearly outperforming its local alternatives.

730

Students ?

13.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,135

Per pupil spending ?

73.5%

Free/discounted lunch ?

15 Church Street
Sumter, SC 29150

(803) 830-5966

District: School Public Charter School District

Racial breakdown:

African American:

50.0%

White:

38.1%

Two or more races:

6.4%

See top rated South Carolina elementary schools

Compare Liberty STEAM Charter School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 56th percentile in 2025 → 53rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the South Carolina median (53rd percentile)

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school56%

District avg53%

South Carolina avg58%

307^th of 649

South Carolina public elementary schools ?

Top 47%▼ down 3 pts since 2025

From top 44% (2025) to top 47% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of South Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

5^th of 14Elementary Schools in the School Public Charter School District

32^nd of 75School Public Charter School District 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
2026	50.5	307 of 649	52.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	54.0	282 of 640	55.9%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	59.2	131 of 379	65.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	70.7	84 of 381	78.0%	★★★★☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	28.4	118 of 154	23.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	31.6	110 of 147	25.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	46.4	303 of 589	48.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	50.9	278 of 581	52.2%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	57.6	253 of 624	59.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	65.0	192 of 613	68.7%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	51.0	277 of 583	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	53.3	268 of 586	54.3%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	63.5	177 of 454	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	53.7	229 of 460	50.2%	★★★☆☆

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)

African American (2026)65th percentile+13 vs school

White (2026)61st percentile+8 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)59th percentile+7 vs school

Male (2026)52nd percentile~ school

Female (2026)49th percentile-4 vs school

Disabled (2026)23rd percentile-29 vs school

By subject vs South Carolina (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts64%~ state avg

Science54%~ state avg

Mathematics48%-6 vs state

3.7

3 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★2

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Our family has been blessed by Liberty. The staff is extraordinary! They go the extra mile in all that they do and put scholars first in the small and big decisions. The curriculum is rigorous and research based. My scholar has made great strides academically and functionally the past two years at LSC. I attribute this to excellent teaching and a wonderful curriculum. I especially love the model of 2 teachers in every classroom through 3rd grade (maybe beyond?). This cuts the teacher to student ratio significantly compared to many, if not all, schools in Sumter County. The environment is nurturing, caring, and positive. Scholars are taught to be team players and lift each other up. I have been very impressed with the behavior policies this year and how they are implemented with fidelity. These policies not only address discipline violations fairly, but they also celebrate scholars who display the core values and scholars who have shown progress with their behavior. Families are encouraged and required to volunteer their time at LSC. This has proven to be a positive and uplifting part of what LSC does. Many parents volunteer their time to make their scholar’s school a better place. I have personally found new, but lifelong, friendships through parent involvement. There are many different ways to earn your time, which is great for parents who work hours that do not allow them to be there during the school day. Sumter is fortunate to have this top notch option for families. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, May 3, 2023

This school is hands-down the best in Sumter! There are 15+ staff members who have their own children attending this school, so that in and of itself speaks volumes! My child has grown leaps and bounds since being at LSC for last year and this year—academically and socially. They celebrate scholars and work hard to offer interventions for those who need them—academically and socially. They truly care about the WHOLE child at this school. They partner with families to ensure the BEST outcomes for our children. Close Quote

by a parent
Sunday, March 26, 2023

This school does not address real concerns at all. They are great at covering up things. I have real concerns about their trophy teacher Mr.Vaughn and his inappropriate behavior with my son and other boys and they all are overlooking it. I also suggest reaching out to staff before sending your kid here for their true feelings. I had one inform me if a child were to leave here and go back to regular school, they would actually be behind because they do not really teach the basics of what children should know. Really ask them about their curriculum and what it entails. If you send your child here based off of their fun looking photos, you will regret. Remember businesses only show you what they want you to see Close Quote

Schools Near Liberty STEAM Charter School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				SC READY English Language Arts (2026)			SC READY Mathematics (2026)			SC READY Science (2026)	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 (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	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
Liberty STEAM Charter School	Public, Charter	K-4	15 Church Street	Sumter	29150	Sumter County	School Public Charter School District	Yes	No	No	No	(803) 830-5966	730	53	13.8		278 (38.1%)	365 (50.0%)	31 (4.2%)	6 (0.8%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	47 (6.4%)	50.5	307^th of 649 public elementary schools	52.7%		54	282^nd of 640 public elementary schools	55.9%	25	64.7	64.2	62.6	50.0	49.7	44.0	53.7	$14,135	$675	$591	$1,266	$9,661	$3,208	$12,869
Crosswell Drive Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	301 Crosswell Drive	Sumter	29150	Sumter County	Sumter 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 775-0679	481	29	16.4		11 (2.3%)	417 (86.7%)	41 (8.5%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.1%)	11.7	601^st of 649 public elementary schools	7.4%		7.2	623^rd of 640 public elementary schools	2.7%	22	40.3	42.7	47.3	33.9	25.8	27.2	26.9	$15,963	$2,373	$1,949	$4,322	$10,590	$1,051	$11,641
Willow Drive Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	26 Willow Drive	Sumter	29150	Sumter County	Sumter 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 773-5796	504	32	15.6		60 (11.9%)	388 (77.0%)	37 (7.3%)	9 (1.8%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	8 (1.6%)	21.5	518^th of 649 public elementary schools	20.2%		14.6	567^th of 640 public elementary schools	11.4%	49	60.3	46.4	39.3	52.9	28.1	7.2	35.4	$15,286	$1,802	$1,513	$3,315	$10,481	$1,490	$11,971
Lemira Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	952 Fulton Street	Sumter	29150	Sumter County	Sumter 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 775-0658	342	28	12.2		9 (2.6%)	287 (83.9%)	31 (9.1%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (3.5%)	10.7	609^th of 649 public elementary schools	6.2%		11.2	594^th of 640 public elementary schools	7.2%	15	30.6	46.0	43.1	32.7	28.0	23.5	28.0	$17,779	$2,027	$2,216	$4,243	$12,111	$1,425	$13,536
Wilder Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	975 South Main Street	Sumter	29150	Sumter County	Sumter 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 773-5723	299	25	11.9		63 (21.1%)	211 (70.6%)	12 (4.0%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	10 (3.3%)	33	433^rd of 649 public elementary schools	33.3%		29.8	452^nd of 640 public elementary schools	29.4%	19	56.1	52.3	57.7	52.6	38.7	37.8	36.4	$17,935	$2,472	$1,132	$3,604	$12,661	$1,670	$14,331
Alice Drive Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	251 Alice Drive	Sumter	29150	Sumter County	Sumter 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 775-0857	530	36	14.6		226 (42.6%)	232 (43.8%)	36 (6.8%)	20 (3.8%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	14 (2.6%)	79.8	125^th of 649 public elementary schools	80.7%		78	133^rd of 640 public elementary schools	79.2%	8	67.4	75.5	74.0	68.6	70.0	65.4	74.4	$14,710	$1,941	$1,061	$3,002	$10,738	$969	$11,707
Millwood Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	24 Pinewood Road	Sumter	29150	Sumter County	Sumter 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 775-0648	602	41	14.6		209 (34.7%)	318 (52.8%)	35 (5.8%)	14 (2.3%)	3 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	22 (3.7%)	39.8	396^th of 649 public elementary schools	39.0%		45.2	339^th of 640 public elementary schools	47.0%	57	61.1	54.9	60.1	54.6	45.0	31.3	47.7	$13,098	$1,465	$1,235	$2,700	$9,054	$1,344	$10,398
Kingsbury Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	825 Kingsbury Road	Sumter	29154	Sumter County	Sumter 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 775-6244	514	38	13.5		133 (25.9%)	336 (65.4%)	17 (3.3%)	5 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (4.5%)	28.9	464^th of 649 public elementary schools	28.5%		25.3	489^th of 640 public elementary schools	23.6%	25	52.1	60.0	51.4	44.9	38.7	24.2	44.0	$15,547	$2,073	$1,197	$3,270	$10,947	$1,330	$12,277
Pocalla Springs Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2060 Bethel Church Road	Sumter	29154	Sumter County	Sumter 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 481-5800	609	39	15.8		214 (35.1%)	320 (52.5%)	35 (5.7%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (6.1%)	14.5	582^nd of 649 public elementary schools	10.3%		21.6	517^th of 640 public elementary schools	19.2%	65	46.0	49.4	46.8	40.4	28.8	20.8	23.7	$15,138	$1,924	$1,512	$3,436	$10,040	$1,663	$11,702
Cherryvale Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1420 Furman Drive	Sumter	29154	Sumter County	Sumter 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 494-8200	477	31	15.2		88 (18.4%)	339 (71.1%)	35 (7.3%)	6 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (1.9%)	9.9	621^st of 649 public elementary schools	4.3%		9.3	606^th of 640 public elementary schools	5.3%	15	40.0	44.2	29.8	40.0	26.4	12.3	29.4	$16,391	$2,410	$1,427	$3,838	$10,497	$2,056	$12,553

Frequently Asked Questions about Liberty STEAM Charter School

How many students attend Liberty STEAM Charter School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 730 students attended Liberty STEAM Charter School.

What district is Liberty STEAM Charter School in?

School Public Charter School District

Is Liberty STEAM Charter School a good school?

Liberty STEAM Charter School ranks 307^th of 649 South Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Liberty STEAM Charter School?

Students at Liberty STEAM Charter School are 50% African American, 38% White, 6% Two or more races, 4% Hispanic.

Rate Liberty STEAM Charter School!

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Latest South Carolina data All new data »

2025–26 EOCEP & SC READY test scoresNewAug 10, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataNov 3, 2025

2024–25 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesNov 3, 2025

2024–25 EOCEP & SC READY test scoresSep 2, 2025

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.