The top reported proficiency rate is 55% in English language arts. The lowest is 34% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Dr. Rose H. Wilder Elementary
Dr. Rose H. Wilder Elementary is a regular public school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Summerton, a small rural town in Clarendon County. It is part of Clarendon 06, the county’s only school district. The school’s enrollment is modest for an elementary school, and every student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the high level of economic need among families in the area. The student body is largely African American, with smaller shares of Hispanic and White students and a very small number of multiracial or Native American students. There is no public data on the share of students with disabilities or English learners.
On the state’s SC Ready assessments, proficiency rates vary noticeably by grade and subject. In math, a majority of third graders met the proficiency benchmark, while fewer than half of fourth and fifth graders did so. In English language arts, a strong majority of fourth graders were proficient, about half of fifth graders were, and fewer than half of third graders reached that level. Science, tested only in fourth grade, showed proficiency below the half mark. Because these results come from a single year and no prior year data was available from the same source, there is no basis for a trend. A parent may want to ask the school about instructional supports in the grades and subjects where proficiency rates are lower. The school does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate.
Summerton itself is a quiet, close-knit town with a declining population, though some new residential and business growth has been reported near Lake Marion, a major recreational area about a short drive away. The town has a modest downtown around Main Street, where the town hall is located. Home values in the area are moderate, below the state median and below the national median. The community has a significant place in civil rights history, with local schools and churches tied to the Briggs v. Elliott case that became part of the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park. The town’s rural character and emphasis on outdoor recreation shape the setting for the school.
Clarendon 06, the district to which the school belongs, had no notable parent-relevant changes reported in recent years. Since Clarendon County has only one school district, it is not possible to place this school’s performance in relation to other local districts; that comparison simply does not exist here.
Several pieces of information that can help a family get a fuller picture were not available. There is no public data on discipline rates, staffing levels (such as teacher experience or student-to-teacher ratios), course access, or attendance. The school’s Title I status was not reported, though the universal free-lunch eligibility strongly suggests it receives federal Title I funding. A parent considering this school may wish to contact the school directly to ask about class sizes, enrichment programs, and support for students who are below proficiency.
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