The top reported proficiency rate is 41% in Math. The lowest is 26% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Brookdale Elementary
Brookdale Elementary is a regular public school in Orangeburg, South Carolina, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It sits within the Orangeburg school district, which covers the city and surrounding areas. The school is located on Brookdale Drive, a residential street in the city.
The student population is relatively small for an elementary school serving seven grade levels. The student body is predominantly Black, with smaller shares of Hispanic, white, Asian, and multiracial students. Every enrolled student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, placing the school in a high-poverty context. Data on students with disabilities and English learners were not available in the records reviewed.
State testing results come from the SC Ready assessments for grades three through five, covering math, English language arts, and science. Because the state made changes to the cut scores for ELA and science in the most recent year, direct comparisons to earlier years are not reliable, and only a single year of data was available for this school. In math, proficiency rates varied by grade: the third and fifth grades showed roughly half of students meeting the state standard, while fourth grade showed about a quarter. In English language arts, proficiency across the three tested grades clustered around two-fifths of students. Science, tested only in fourth grade, showed about a quarter proficient. These results place Brookdale Elementary in a position where many students are not yet reaching the state benchmark. A parent may want to discuss with the school how it supports students who are behind grade level, especially in fourth-grade math and science, and what intervention programs are in place.
No information was provided on school programs such as gifted education, arts, or after-school activities. The school does not appear to offer specialized academies or magnet programs. As an elementary school, it does not have a graduation rate, and data on chronic absenteeism and discipline were not available. The lack of multi-year trends means it is not possible to tell whether academic performance is improving or declining.
The community context is shaped by Orangeburg itself, the county seat. The city is home to two historically Black universities, Claflin University and South Carolina State University, along with Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College. These institutions give the city a strong educational and civic identity. Major employers include the universities and the Regional Medical Center. The downtown area centers on Russell Street, with a designated Downtown Loop, and the city has been working on revitalization efforts through the Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association. Edisto Memorial Gardens, the IP Stanback Museum & Planetarium, and Stevenson Auditorium are cultural anchors. Population has been relatively flat to slightly declining in recent years, and the area has not seen rapid growth.
Housing in the zip code serving Brookdale Elementary is notably more affordable than the state and national averages. Typical home values are well below South Carolina's overall median, and rents are modest. The estimated monthly mortgage payment on a median-priced home is below the typical rent, making homeownership potentially more attainable than renting in this market. For a family, this means the cost of living relative to the school's attendance zone is low, though the local economy offers limited employment growth outside the universities and healthcare sector.
Brookdale Elementary is a neighborhood school serving a high-poverty community. Its academic results indicate that a significant share of students are not reaching grade-level standards. The school may fit a family that values a small, local elementary with a supportive community environment and that is prepared to be actively involved in their child's academic progress. Families looking for strong test scores, specialized programs, or a rapidly growing area would likely want to consider other options. The available data give a clear picture of a school facing typical challenges of high-poverty elementary schools in a stable, modest-cost Southern city.
See more original research from School Decision →