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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Darlington County Public Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 14 public elementary schools serving 6,180 students in Darlington County, SC.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Darlington County, SC are Carolina Elementary School, Lamar-spaulding Elementary School and Butler Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Darlington County, SC public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the South Carolina public elementary school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 47% statewide average). Elementary schools in Darlington County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public elementary school average of 54% (majority Black).

Best Public Elementary Schools in Darlington County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Carolina Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
719 West Carolina Avenue
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 857-3230
Gr: 1-5 | 212 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #22.
Lamar-spaulding Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
5232 Lamar Highway 401
Lamar, SC 29069
(843) 398-6370
Gr: PK-5 | 496 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #33.
Butler Academy
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
710 South 5th Street
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 287-2399
Gr: K-8 | 393 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #44.
North Hartsville Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
110 School Drive
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 383-3115
Gr: 1-5 | 486 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #55.
Brockington Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
413 Brockington Road
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-2500
Gr: 3-5 | 303 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #66.
Bay Road Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1251 Bay Road
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 398-6300
Gr: PK-5 | 563 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #77.
St. John's Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
140 Park Street
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5130
Gr: PK-5 | 596 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #88.
Darlington Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
150 Pinedale Drive
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5088
Gr: 6-8 | 888 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #99.
Spaulding Middle School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
400 East Cartersville Highway
Lamar, SC 29069
(843) 326-7625
Gr: 6-8 | 228 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1010.
Hartsville Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1427 Fourteenth Street
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 857-3121
Gr: 6-8 | 801 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1111.
J. L. Cain Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
607 First Street
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-2450
Gr: PK-5 | 533 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #1212.
Rosenwald Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
508 Church Street
Society Hill, SC 29593
(843) 398-2700
Gr: PK-5 | 71 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #1313.
Thornwell School For The Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
437 West Carolina Avenue
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 857-3090
Gr: 1-5 | 188 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: n/an/a
Pate Elementary School
1010 Indian Branch Road
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5070
Gr: PK-2 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 76%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Darlington County, SC?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Darlington County, SC include Carolina Elementary School, Lamar-spaulding Elementary School and Butler Academy.
How many public elementary schools are located in Darlington County?
14 public elementary schools are located in Darlington County.
What is the racial composition of students in Darlington County?
Darlington County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public elementary schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public elementary schools in Darlington County are often viewed compared to one another?

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