Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 29520

Zip code 29520 in Cheraw, South Carolina, is served by two elementary schools within the Chesterfield 01 school district, which together educate roughly 850 students in grades PK-5. Cheraw Primary handles the youngest learners (PK-2) with 443 students, while Cheraw Intermediate serves grades 3-5 with 407 students.

For parents, the most significant concern is academic performance, particularly in mathematics. At Cheraw Intermediate, math proficiency is alarmingly low, with only 22.8% of 5th graders meeting state standards compared to the state average of 49.1%. The gap widens as students progress, and the school's overall state ranking has fallen from the 13th to the 7th percentile in just two years. English Language Arts scores are somewhat better, with 4th grade proficiency (48.9%) nearly matching the district average, though 5th grade scores drop to 42.2%. Meanwhile, Cheraw Primary shows a different challenge: a chronic absenteeism rate of 28.9%, which is significantly higher than both the district (24.1%) and state (22.3%) averages. This is concerning because early attendance habits often set the foundation for future success.

Both schools spend generously on students—$15,197 per student at Cheraw Primary and $14,079 at Cheraw Intermediate—yet results remain below expectations, suggesting the issue lies in instructional strategies or external factors rather than funding. The district as a whole struggles, with proficiency rates well below state averages across all subjects. While Cheraw Intermediate has better attendance (19.9% chronic absenteeism), its declining test scores and loss of its star rating point to a school in need of urgent intervention. Parents should be aware that while resources are available, academic outcomes, especially in math, require close monitoring and likely supplemental support at home.