Summary:
Zip code 29541 in Effingham, South Carolina, is served by two elementary schools within the Florence 01 school district, which holds a 3-star rating and ranks in the top 40% of South Carolina districts.
Dewey-Carter Elementary (PK-5, 606 students) is the more consistent performer, maintaining a 3-star rating and a stable state ranking around the 55th percentile for three consecutive years. It outperforms Savannah Grove Elementary (K-5, 385 students) in 3rd and 4th grade ELA and math, with particularly strong 3rd grade scores (71% ELA, 64% math vs. 56.6% and 48.9%). However, a striking reversal occurs in 5th grade, where Savannah Grove surpasses Dewey-Carter in both subjects (71.9% vs. 53.1% ELA; 40.3% vs. 33.7% math). Dewey-Carter also experienced a concerning 12-point drop in 5th grade math proficiency from the previous year, suggesting a transition challenge between 4th and 5th grade.
Savannah Grove presents a more volatile picture. After ranking 285th in 2024-2025, it fell 110 positions to 395th (39th percentile) in 2025-2026, dropping to a 2-star rating. This decline is puzzling given that Savannah Grove spends significantly more per student ($16,581 vs. $13,632) and has a better student-teacher ratio (12.4:1 vs. 13.7:1) than Dewey-Carter. Both schools struggle with chronic absenteeism, with rates around 27-28%—well above the state average of 22.3%. Additionally, math proficiency in upper grades is a systemic weakness across the zip code, with both schools falling well below the state average of 49.1% in 5th grade math. Families should weigh Dewey-Carter's consistency and early-grade strength against Savannah Grove's stronger 5th grade outcomes, while noting that both schools face challenges with attendance and upper-grade math instruction.
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