Kingsbury Elementary

Kingsbury Elementary is a PK-5 public school in Sumter, SC, serving 514 students within the Sumter 01 school district, where 100% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school has made remarkable academic strides in the past two years, moving from the 14th percentile statewide to the 29th percentile—a dramatic turnaround that sets it apart from most neighboring schools.

Kingsbury's most impressive gains are in English Language Arts (ELA), where proficiency rates now meet or exceed district averages across all grade levels. In 4th grade, 60% of students are proficient in ELA, surpassing the district average by 7.4 percentage points. The school also shines in 4th grade science, with 44% proficiency compared to the district's 37.6%. These improvements are particularly notable when compared to nearby schools like Cherryvale Elementary (4th percentile) and Crosswell Drive Elementary (7th percentile), which have remained stagnant. Kingsbury's upward trajectory now aligns more closely with stronger performers like Wilder Elementary (33rd percentile) and Millwood Elementary (39th percentile). The school also demonstrates notably strong outcomes for its African American students, who now rank in the 54th percentile statewide—a significant improvement from the 11th percentile just two years ago.

Despite these gains, challenges remain. Fifth-grade math proficiency sits at just 24.2%, well below the state average of 49.1%, and chronic absenteeism (28.8%) remains above the state average, though it's better than many local peers like Willow Drive Elementary (52.8%) and Lemira Elementary (45.1%). With a favorable 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio and efficient resource use ($15,547 per student), Kingsbury appears well-positioned to continue its positive trajectory. While Alice Drive Elementary remains the district's gold standard, Kingsbury's rapid improvement suggests it's becoming a compelling option for families seeking a school on the rise.