Summary:
Zip code 29718 is served by a single elementary school, Jefferson Elementary, which enrolls 329 students in grades PK through 5 within the Chesterfield 01 school district.
Jefferson Elementary shows a mixed academic profile. In the most recent 2025-2026 school year, the school's math proficiency rates were a clear strength relative to its district, beating the district average by roughly 5 to 9 percentage points across grades 3, 4, and 5. However, these scores still trail state averages by about 9 to 12 points. English Language Arts performance was closer to district norms, with the school slightly above the district in grades 4 and 5 but below in grade 3. The school's most notable achievement came in the prior year (2024-2025), when 4th grade ELA hit 67.4% proficiency—well above both the district (53.7%) and state (63.5%)—and 4th grade Science reached 48.1%, far exceeding the district's 33.2%. Unfortunately, those gains were not sustained, as 4th grade Science dropped to 30.0% and 4th grade ELA fell to 52.5% in 2025-2026. This year-to-year volatility suggests outcomes can vary significantly with each cohort.
Beyond test scores, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1 and spends a substantial $15,427 per student, yet its overall state ranking has slipped from 2 stars (2023-2024) to 1 star in the last two years, placing it in the 28th-30th percentile statewide. A key concern is chronic absenteeism, which sits at 25.8%—higher than both the district (24.1%) and state (22.3%) averages, meaning roughly one in four students misses significant school time. For parents, Jefferson Elementary offers small class sizes and pockets of strong instruction, particularly in upper-grade ELA, but the inconsistent scores and elevated absenteeism are important factors to weigh when considering this school.
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