The top reported proficiency rate is 87% in Social studies. The lowest is 55% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Philip Simmons Elementary
Philip Simmons Elementary serves students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in the rapidly growing suburban community of Wando, part of Berkeley County School District. The school sits on a large campus in an area that has transformed from rural outskirts into a popular Lowcountry neighborhood of subdivisions, new condominiums, and riverfront estates. Wando is car-dependent, with Clements Ferry Road as the main artery connecting residents to Charleston and Mount Pleasant. There is no traditional downtown; schools like Philip Simmons Elementary function as major civic anchors in a spread-out community.
The elementary school enrolls a mid-sized student body for its grade band, drawing from families in this growing corridor. The student population is predominantly white, with a smaller but noticeable share of Black students, a modest number of Hispanic students, and a handful of Asian and multiracial students. About one-third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a rate well below the national average but still indicating that a meaningful portion of families rely on this support. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available in the materials reviewed, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those programs and supports.
Academically, the school’s state assessment results show a strong picture in English language arts. In grade three, a large majority of students scored proficient or above, and in grade four, about three-quarters did as well. Math results are more mixed: grade three math proficiency is strong, with a clear majority of students meeting the standard, while grade four math drops to just under three-fifths of students proficient. Science, tested in grade four, shows just over half of students reaching proficiency. These scores place the school on solid ground, though the slide in fourth-grade math and the modest science result are worth noting for a parent considering the school’s academic trajectory. The state changed cut scores for ELA and science in the most recent testing year, which means direct comparisons to prior years are not reliable. Social studies data was available only from the 2016-2017 school year and used a different assessment, so it offers little current context. Because this is an elementary school that does not serve grades beyond fourth, there is no graduation rate to report, and no advanced course data applies.
The broader district context matters here. Berkeley County School District is one of the fastest-growing in South Carolina, adding a substantial number of new students each year. Voters approved a major bond referendum that funds new elementary and middle schools, along with district-wide safety and technology upgrades. That bond comes with a modest property-tax increase. Attendance zones were redistricted for the 2023-2024 school year to relieve overcrowding, a change that directly affects which elementary school a child attends. Philip Simmons Elementary itself was built as part of the district’s response to growth, and Wando continues to see new housing development. Families moving into the area should expect that the district’s rapid expansion will remain an ongoing factor, with possible future zone adjustments as new schools open.
The school’s academic performance is solid, particularly in early literacy and third-grade math. The fourth-grade dip in math and the science proficiency rate, while not alarming, are areas a parent might want to track over time. The community is affluent overall, and the school reflects that advantage, though the free-lunch share shows economic diversity. The lack of publicly reported discipline, attendance, or staffing data leaves gaps in the full picture of school climate and support. A family considering this school will want to visit, talk to teachers and current parents, and understand how the district’s growth may affect their child’s pathway through the later elementary years and into middle school.
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