Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 29406

Zip code 29406 in North Charleston, SC, is served by four elementary schools—three traditional public schools within the Charleston 01 district and one public charter school in the School Public Charter School District—collectively serving grades PK-8 and facing significant academic and attendance challenges.

For parents, the standout option is GREEN Charter School Lowcountry, which despite being the smallest school (301 students) and spending the least per pupil ($10,284), posts the strongest test scores in the area. In 3rd grade ELA, GREEN Charter achieves 58.4% proficiency compared to 39.6% at A. C. Corcoran Elementary and 38.9% at Matilda F. Dunston Elementary. However, GREEN Charter’s performance drops sharply in upper grades—6th grade math proficiency falls to just 5.3%. The traditional schools struggle more broadly: Midland Park Primary spends a staggering $49,289 per student (nearly five times GREEN Charter’s budget) but only serves PK-K students with no test data, while Corcoran, the largest school at 743 students, has the highest chronic absenteeism rate at 41.1%—nearly double the state average of 22.3%.

All four schools rank in the bottom 12% of South Carolina elementary schools, with three in the bottom 3%. Chronic absenteeism is a systemic issue, with every school exceeding the state average—Dunston at 28.3% and GREEN Charter at 26.7% are the lowest but still elevated. Math proficiency is universally weak, with 4th grade scores ranging from 20.8% (GREEN Charter) to 29.5% (Dunston), far below the district’s 60.6%. While GREEN Charter shows meaningful year-over-year ELA gains (from 34.6% to 58.4% in 3rd grade), the traditional schools also improved but remain well behind district benchmarks. The data suggests that school choice offers some advantage, but addressing absenteeism and math instruction—especially in upper grades—are critical priorities for all schools in this area.