Summary:
Zip code 29505 in Florence, South Carolina is served by two elementary schools—Greenwood Elementary and Wallace Gregg Elementary—both part of the Florence 01 district, which ranks in the 61st percentile statewide.
For parents comparing the two schools, Greenwood Elementary is the stronger academic choice. It enrolls 530 students (K-5) and posts higher proficiency rates in most subjects, particularly English Language Arts—its 4th-grade ELA score of 60.5% nearly matches the district average. Greenwood also has a better state ranking (452nd vs. 503rd) and a lower chronic absenteeism rate (30.2% vs. 42.0%). However, both schools struggle significantly compared to district and state benchmarks. In 5th-grade math, Greenwood scores just 26.9% proficient and Wallace Gregg only 18.5%, versus a 49.1% state average. Science proficiency is also weak at both schools (41.3% and 31.7% vs. 51.6% statewide).
The most urgent issue is attendance. Wallace Gregg Elementary has a chronic absenteeism rate of 42.0%—nearly double the state average—and its state ranking has declined steadily over three years (432nd to 503rd). Interestingly, Wallace Gregg spends more per student ($15,920 vs. $14,184) and has a better student-teacher ratio (10.4:1 vs. 13.5:1), yet still underperforms Greenwood, suggesting that funding alone cannot overcome attendance and engagement challenges. Both schools show relative strength in ELA compared to math, and Greenwood’s year-over-year volatility (e.g., 4th-grade math jumping from 30% to 47.8%) indicates instability. For families, Greenwood currently offers the better academic environment, but both schools would benefit from targeted math intervention and comprehensive attendance programs.
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