Summary:
Zip code 29477 is home to a single public school, Williams Memorial Elementary, which serves grades PK through 5 and enrolls 553 students in the Dorchester 04 school district.
Williams Memorial Elementary is the only school in this area, so it stands alone as the educational option for local families. The school has a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.1, allowing for more individualized attention, and spends a substantial $16,841 per student. Its state ranking has improved over the past three years, moving from the 51st percentile to the 38th percentile, though it still holds a 2-star rating. Academically, the school shows a clear split between subjects: English Language Arts proficiency is strong, with 5th graders reaching 62.5% proficiency, nearly matching the state average. However, math proficiency is a significant concern, with 5th grade math dropping from 57.5% to just 37.5% in one year, and all grade levels lagging the state average by 10 to 12 percentage points. Science proficiency in 4th grade sits at 45.9%, above the district but below the state.
One of the most pressing issues is chronic absenteeism, which affects 25.4% of students—slightly better than the district average of 26.4% but notably higher than the state average of 22.3%. This high absenteeism rate likely contributes to the academic volatility seen in test scores. Despite these challenges, Williams Memorial Elementary consistently outperforms its district in nearly every subject and grade level, making it a relative bright spot within Dorchester 04, which ranks in the bottom quarter of South Carolina districts. The school's high spending per student does not translate into top-tier state rankings, but its improving percentile and strong local performance suggest effective leadership and teaching within the building.
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