The top reported proficiency rate is 60% in English language arts. The lowest is 42% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Dewey-carter Elementary
Dewey-Carter Elementary serves students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Effingham, an unincorporated farming community in Florence County. The school is part of Florence 1 Schools, a district that underwent mandatory consolidation with the former Florence County School District Four in 2022, a change that affected governance and board representation across the combined area. Effingham itself is a rural crossroads settlement along the Lynches River, defined by agriculture and the presence of McCall Farms, a major food-processing employer. The area does not have a downtown core, and families looking for civic amenities such as museums and libraries typically drive to the city of Florence, which is a short distance away.
The student body at Dewey-Carter is close to evenly split between white students and Black students, with a smaller but noticeable share of Hispanic students and a modest number of students who identify as two or more races. Every student at the school qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, meaning the school serves a population with very high economic need. This is a data point families should keep in mind when looking at outcomes, as it provides important context for what the school is working with.
State testing results from the most recent school year show a clear picture of where the school's academic strengths lie. Third graders posted solid proficiency rates in both English language arts and math, with ELA reaching a strong level. By fifth grade, proficiency in ELA held up well. Math performance was more uneven. Third graders did well, but fourth and fifth graders showed a drop, with less than half of students scoring at the proficient level. Science results for fourth graders were lower still, with a modest share reaching proficiency. Because the state changed its cut scores for ELA and science in this testing cycle, the results are not directly comparable to prior years. Social studies data is from an older assessment cycle and should not be taken as a current measure. Compared with other schools across Florence County districts, Dewey-Carter's overall proficiency index sits in the top quartile, a meaningful sign that despite serving a high-poverty student body, the school is performing above the middle of its county peers.
Because the school serves only elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report. The data did not include information on special education identification rates, English learner populations, chronic absenteeism, staffing ratios, or course access. Families who want to understand class sizes, support for students with disabilities, or enrichment offerings would need to ask the school directly. The school's website may provide more detail on programs such as art, music, physical education, or any before- and after-care options.
Housing in the Effingham zip code is moderately priced relative to national benchmarks, with home values below the state and national averages. The area has seen some industrial growth through McCall Farms' expansion, but publicly reported information on new housing development is limited. Families moving to Effingham for the school should be prepared for a rural setting with no walkable downtown and a commute to Florence for most services and entertainment.
Dewey-Carter is a school that produces above-average results for its county context despite very high poverty across the entire student body. Its third-grade reading and math numbers are strong, while its upper-elementary math and science scores give a parent something to look into further with the school. The community is small, agricultural, and quiet, and the school sits at the center of it. For a family that values solid early academic foundations in a rural setting and understands the broader economic realities of the student body, this is a school worth considering within Florence County.
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