Summary:
Zip code 29902 in Beaufort, SC is served by two elementary schools—Beaufort Elementary and Mossy Oaks Elementary—both part of the Beaufort 01 district and covering Pre-K through 5th grade, with a combined enrollment of roughly 700 students.
For parents comparing the two, Beaufort Elementary is the stronger overall performer, ranking in the 41st percentile statewide versus Mossy Oaks' 35th percentile. Beaufort excels in early grades—its 3rd grade ELA (63.4%) and math (59.6%) proficiency both beat state averages—and reports a remarkable 0.0% chronic absenteeism rate. However, its performance declines sharply by 5th grade, with math proficiency falling to 34.8%, well below the state's 49.1%. Mossy Oaks Elementary shows the opposite pattern: it struggles significantly in 3rd grade (just 26% math proficiency vs. 59.2% statewide) but improves dramatically, reaching 48.2% in 5th grade math and 62.5% in 5th grade ELA—actually surpassing Beaufort's upper-grade scores. Mossy Oaks also achieves this with $6,527 less per-student spending ($23,408 vs. $29,935), though its chronic absenteeism rate of 21.4% mirrors the district average and stands in stark contrast to Beaufort's perfect attendance.
Both schools rank below their district's 63rd percentile standing and earned 2-star ratings in 2025-2026. Year-over-year data shows significant volatility at both schools—Mossy Oaks' 4th grade math dropped 23 points in one year, while Beaufort's 5th grade math fell 12.5 points—likely reflecting small cohort sizes. The most actionable insight is the attendance gap: Beaufort's 0.0% chronic absenteeism versus Mossy Oaks' 21.4% may be the key lever for improving early-grade outcomes, particularly in 3rd grade math where Mossy Oaks trails the state by 33 points. Parents should weigh Beaufort's strong early grades and attendance against Mossy Oaks' upper-grade efficiency and growth trajectory.
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