Summary:
The six elementary schools in zip code 29715, part of the top-ranked York 04 district in Fort Mill, SC, serve roughly 4,500 students in grades K-5 (with three schools offering Pre-K) and collectively rank among the top 30% of schools statewide.
For parents, the standout choice is River Trail Elementary, which ranks #11 in the state (98th percentile) with 90%+ ELA proficiency and 83-91% math proficiency, plus a remarkably low 3.9% chronic absenteeism rate. Doby's Bridge Elementary is a close second, ranking #39 with the lowest absenteeism in the group (3.1%) and strong math scores (78-84%). Springfield Elementary (#69) and Sugar Creek Elementary (#92) offer solid mid-tier performance, while Riverview Elementary (#137) and Fort Mill Elementary (#191) lag behind their peers. Notably, Fort Mill Elementary struggles with 5th-grade math (51.9% proficiency) and Riverview has the highest chronic absenteeism (11.6%), the only school above the district average.
Key takeaways: spending does not predict performance—Riverview spends the most ($16,907/student) yet ranks 5th, while Springfield spends the least ($12,284) and outperforms three schools. Math proficiency declines sharply from 3rd to 5th grade at most schools (Sugar Creek drops 15.6 points, Fort Mill 11.6 points), but River Trail maintains high scores throughout. All schools exceed state averages, and student-teacher ratios are favorable (11.0-13.2:1). However, rankings fluctuate year-to-year—Riverview swung 83 positions over three years—so parents should weigh consistent performers like River Trail and Doby's Bridge against the volatility seen elsewhere.
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