Marrington Elementary, Goose Creek SC

Original Research by School Decision on Marrington Elementary

Marrington Elementary is a regular public school in Goose Creek serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. For families considering this school, the strongest signal in the available data is its language arts performance, which consistently outpaces math across the tested grades. In the most recent state assessments, reading and English scores were solidly proficient, with the fourth grade class notably achieving at a high level. Math proficiency was more uneven: about half of third and fifth graders met the bar, while fourth graders did better, reaching roughly the same range as their middle-grade peers in reading. Science results for fourth graders were also strong. The school’s social studies data comes from a pre-pandemic year and showed nearly all students proficient, but given the age of that result and subsequent changes to state cut scores in several subjects, a parent may want to ask the school about current performance in that area. Across all tests, the state made adjustments to proficiency cut scores in recent years, so trend comparisons are unreliable, and only a single year of consistent data is available for math and ELA.

The student body is majority white, with notable shares of Black students and students identifying as two or more races, plus smaller Hispanic and Asian populations. About a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a moderate rate that places the school in a mid-range economic context. Information on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the data reviewed.

Goose Creek, where the school is located, is a rapidly growing suburban city shaped by its proximity to Joint Base Charleston, the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, and major industrial employers like Boeing and Volvo. The city has developed its own commercial and recreation amenities but remains auto-oriented, with civic functions consolidated at a municipal center rather than a walkable downtown. Housing in the area is moderately priced relative to national benchmarks, and demand is tight, reflecting steady population growth.

The school belongs to Berkeley County School District, which has faced significant enrollment pressure. Voters recently approved a large bond referendum funding new elementary and middle schools, expansions, and safety upgrades, accompanied by a modest property tax increase. The district also implemented attendance zone redistricting to accommodate new openings and relieve overcrowding, affecting families in Goose Creek and neighboring areas. These developments mean that school boundaries and capacity may shift over the next several years, and families moving into the area should confirm current assignments.

Because Marrington Elementary is in the only public school district in Berkeley County, no within-county yardstick is available to compare its performance against other local districts. The academic profile, particularly in reading, is a clear strength, while math is a softer spot that a parent may want to explore further with the school. The student body is economically diverse, and the broader community context is one of growth, military and industrial employment, and ongoing school construction that will shape the experience for years ahead.

See more original research from School Decision →

Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 353%

School 53% · District 49% · ▲ 3 pts above district

even with state median · ▲ 6 pts above county median

Grade 469%

School 69% · District 47% · ▲ 22 pts above district

▲ 19 pts above state median · ▲ 27 pts above county median

Grade 554%

School 54% · District 40% · ▲ 13 pts above district

▲ 9 pts above state median · ▲ 15 pts above county median

English language arts

Grade 371%

School 71% · District 59% · ▲ 12 pts above district

▲ 12 pts above state median · ▲ 13 pts above county median

Grade 487%

School 87% · District 62% · ▲ 25 pts above district

▲ 25 pts above state median · ▲ 30 pts above county median

Grade 578%

School 78% · District 61% · ▲ 17 pts above district

▲ 18 pts above state median · ▲ 20 pts above county median

Science

Grade 473%

School 73% · District 45% · ▲ 28 pts above district

▲ 28 pts above state median · ▲ 32 pts above county median

Social studies

Grade 593%

School 93% · District 74% · ▲ 19 pts above district

▲ 22 pts above state median · ▲ 20 pts above county median

This schoolBerkeley 01, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.