Summary:
Zip code 29436 is served by a single elementary school, Cross Elementary, which enrolls 421 students in grades PK through 6 in the rural community of Cross, SC, part of the Berkeley 01 school district.
For parents considering this area, the most important takeaway is that Cross Elementary is facing significant academic challenges, and its performance has been declining over the past three years. The school's state ranking has dropped from the 19th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 10th percentile in 2025-2026, placing it in the bottom 10% of all South Carolina elementary schools. Proficiency rates in both English Language Arts (ELA) and math are well below state averages at nearly every grade level. For example, in 5th grade, only 30% of students are proficient in ELA compared to 63.6% statewide, and just 20% are proficient in math versus 49.1% statewide. The achievement gap widens as students get older, suggesting that students fall further behind as they progress through the school. Math is a particular area of concern, with only about one in five 4th and 5th graders meeting proficiency standards.
There are a few notable points that provide context. Chronic absenteeism is high, with 29.1% of students missing substantial instructional time, compared to 22.3% statewide, which likely contributes to the academic struggles. On a more positive note, 3rd-grade ELA and math scores showed significant improvement from the previous year, jumping from 37.3% to 48% in ELA and 35.6% to 47.9% in math, which may indicate early interventions are starting to help. The school spends a substantial $15,800 per student, yet this investment is not translating into strong outcomes, suggesting the challenges may be tied to external factors like absenteeism rather than a lack of funding. Overall, parents should be aware that while the school has a dedicated staff and resources, it is currently struggling to help most students reach grade-level proficiency.
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