C
Below Average
56/100

Theodore Lester Elementary

📚 03 – 05 🏫 Elementary
📍 3501 East Palmetto Street, Florence, SC 29506
Overall
C
56/100 · the blend of everything below
Achievement
C
1.6 grade levels below the U.S. average · 32nd percentile in South Carolina
Resources
A
Class size, funding, school size and type

Each score is graded separately against South Carolina schools. A school can be strong at moving students forward (growth) without having the highest test scores, or the reverse. How we score schools

56
Repit Score
out of 100
375
Students
enrolled
12.9:1
Student:Teacher
ratio
$16K
Per Student
spending

What Goes Into This Rating

FactorWeightScoreBasis
📚 Achievement (reading & math, grades 3–8)75%32/1001.6 grade levels below the national average, 2022–25 (Stanford SEDA)
🏫 Resources (class size, funding, size, type)25%87/100Inputs from NCES school and district data

The overall Repit Score ranks this blend against every rated school in South Carolina. Schools are compared within their state because each state sets its own tests and proficiency bar. How we rate schools

Test Scores & Graduation

📖 Reading proficiency31% (−18 pts vs. state avg 49%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19
➗ Math proficiency22% (−25 pts vs. state avg 47%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Federal reporting rounds small schools to ranges; we show the midpoint. Proficiency standards differ by state, so compare schools within the same state.

How Student Groups Do Here

Share of each group of students scoring proficient on the South Carolina state test (2018–19), compared with the same group of students across the state. Differences between groups are shown as reported; they reflect many factors inside and outside school.

StudentsReadingMathvs. same group statewideRank in state for this group
White35%25%reading -28 pts, math -42 pts2nd percentile (list)
Black32%17%reading +3 pts, math -15 pts26th percentile (list)
Low-income32%22%reading -4 pts, math -18 pts18th percentile (list)

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute. Groups with fewer than 20 tested students are not shown. Results are achievement (proficiency), not growth; growth by group is not published for individual schools.

School Information

Address 3501 East Palmetto Street
City Florence
ZIP Code 29506
District 4502130
NCES School ID 450213001235
Data Year 2024-25

Community Context for 29506

Understanding the community around Theodore Lester Elementary helps evaluate the school environment and neighborhood.

💰 Income & Economy

Median Household Income $36,116
Per Capita Income $21,879
Poverty Rate 22.9%
Households Earning $100K+ 16.3%

🎓 Education Level

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 14.1%
High School or Higher 80.4%

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value $104,400
Median Rent $753
Owner-Occupied 51.3%
Renter-Occupied 48.7%
View full data for ZIP 29506 →

Thinking about moving into this school’s area? See what homes and rents actually cost in ZIP 29506 — values, rent, and how it compares to nearby ZIPs. Free, no signup. See 29506 housing costs →

Student Demographics

Enrollment and demographic breakdown for Theodore Lester Elementary.

👫 Gender Distribution

Male 53.6%
Female 46.4%

🌎 Race & Ethnicity

Black 51.5%
White 30.9%
Two or More Races 9.3%
Hispanic/Latino 6.9%
Asian 1.3%

📋 Enrollment Summary

Total Enrollment 375
Teachers (FTE) 29.0
Student:Teacher Ratio 12.9:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Repit School Score for Theodore Lester Elementary?
Theodore Lester Elementary has a Repit School Score of 56 out of 100, earning a grade of C. The score is based mainly on reading and math proficiency compared with other schools in the state, with class size and funding counting for a smaller share.
How many students attend Theodore Lester Elementary?
Theodore Lester Elementary has 375 students enrolled for the 2024-25 school year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.9:1.
What grades does Theodore Lester Elementary serve?
Theodore Lester Elementary serves grades 03 – 05 and is classified as a Elementary. This is a public school.
How much funding does Theodore Lester Elementary receive per student?
Theodore Lester Elementary receives $16,480 in per-pupil spending from its district. This is above the national average.
🏠 Rental Market Around Theodore Lester Elementary in 29506 ▼
Avg Home Value
$149,020
Avg Monthly Rent
$943
1-Year Change
+4.6%
% Renters
48.7%

Other Schools in 29506

View all schools and real estate data for 29506 →

About Repit School Scores

Parents choosing a school deserve to see what it actually delivers. Since October 2026 the Repit School Score is built mainly on results:

  • Academics (largest share) — the share of students scoring proficient in reading and math on the state test, ranked against schools of the same level in the same state.
  • Graduation (high schools) — the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate. Only regular diplomas count; GEDs and certificates of attendance do not.
  • Resources (smaller share) — class size, per-pupil funding, school size and type.

Scores compare schools within their own state, because every state writes its own tests and sets its own proficiency bar. Full methodology

Data sources: NCES CCD 2024-25, U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts (test results & graduation) | Last updated: October 2026