Theodore Lester Elementary School (Ranked Bottom 50% for 2025-26)

3501 East Palmetto Street
Florence, SC 29506

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Serving 375 students in grades 3-5, Theodore Lester Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in South Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).

The percentage of students achieving is 25-29% (which is lower than the South Carolina state average of 43%). The percentage of students achieving is 20-24% (which is lower than the South Carolina state average of 52%).

The student-teacher ratio of 13:1 is lower than the South Carolina state level of 14:1.

Minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the South Carolina state average of 53% (majority Black).

Quick Facts (2025-26)

Grades: 3-5
Enrollment: 375 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
Minority Enrollment: 69%
: Bottom 50% in SC
: 25-29% (Btm 50%)
: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
: 15-19% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SC Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Theodore Lester Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in South Carolina for:

School Overview

Theodore Lester Elementary School's student population of 375 students has declined by 13% over five school years.

The teacher population of 29 teachers has declined by 21% over five school years.

Grades Offered

Grades 3-5
(Supplemental Virtual)

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Theodore Lester Elementary School
2	3
3	123
4	126
5	123

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Total Students

375 students

View Data

Total Students Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Theodore Lester Elementary School
2023	265
2022	370
2021	383
2020	435
2019	435
2018	460
2017	460
2016	442
2015	472
2014	470
2013	480
2012	482
2011	473
2010	439
2009	407
2008	410
2007	432
2006	430
2005	469
2004	482
2003	515
2002	474
2001	474
2000	415
1999	432
1998	415
1997	383
1996	428
1995	442
1994	426
1993	423
1992	375
1991	423
1990	426
1989	421
1988	425
1987	453

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Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers

29 teachers

View Data

Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Theodore Lester Elementary School
2023	27
2022	36
2021	38
2020	37
2019	37
2018	35
2017	35
2016	38
2015	40
2014	37
2013	40
2012	40
2011	41
2010	38
2009	40
2008	38
2007	98
2006	43
2005	42
2004	45
2003	44
2002	42
2001	37
2000	37
1999	37
1998	35
1997	32
1996	38
1995	38
1994	39
1993	38
1992	34
1991	34
1990	33
1989	33
1988	33
1987	31

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Year Founded

1981

School Rankings

Theodore Lester Elementary School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,118 schools in South Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of Theodore Lester Elementary School is 0.63, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.67. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School

State Level (SC)

#961 out of 1118 schools
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	Theodore Lester Elementary School
2023	#961
2022	#1093
2021	#1031
2019	#987
2018	#977
2017	#901
2016	#876
2015	#914
2014	#567
2013	#512
2012	#504

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25-29%

43%

View Data

Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	Theodore Lester Elementary School	South Carolina	Florence 01 School District
2023	27%	43%	39%
2022	12%	41%	35%
2021	11%	39%	29%
2019	22%	46%	39%
2018	25%	45%	37%
2017	26%	44%	39%
2016	26%	46%	40%
2015	34%	51%	46%
2014	70%	68%	66%
2013	67%	70%	70%
2012	73%	71%	69%

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20-24%

52%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	Theodore Lester Elementary School	South Carolina	Florence 01 School District
2022	22%	52%	51%
2021	21%	48%	47%
2019	31%	48%	47%
2018	26%	45%	37%
2017	28%	43%	41%
2016	32%	46%	44%
2015	25%	42%	41%
2014	70%	72%	72%
2013	80%	74%	76%
2012	74%	72%	73%
2011	70%	71%	72%

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15-19%

50%

View Data

Science Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2021-2022)
Year	Theodore Lester Elementary School	South Carolina	Florence 01 School District
2022	17%	50%	43%
2021	17%	48%	42%

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Student-Teacher Ratio

13:1

14:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Theodore Lester Elementary School	South Carolina	Florence 01 School District
2023	10:1	14:1	14:1
2022	10:1	14:1	13:1
2021	10:1	14:1	13:1
2020	12:1	15:1	14:1
2019	12:1	15:1	14:1
2018	13:1	16:1	15:1
2017	13:1	15:1	15:1
2016	12:1	16:1	15:1
2015	12:1	16:1	15:1
2014	13:1	16:1	15:1
2013	12:1	16:1	15:1
2012	12:1	16:1	16:1
2011	12:1	16:1	16:1
2010	12:1	16:1	15:1
2009	10:1	15:1	15:1
2008	11:1	15:1	15:1
2007	4:1	10:1	10:1
2006	10:1	15:1	15:1
2005	11:1	15:1	15:1
2004	11:1	16:1	16:1
2003	12:1	15:1	16:1
2002	11:1	15:1	15:1
2001	13:1	15:1	15:1
2000	11:1	15:1	15:1
1999	12:1	15:1	16:1
1998	12:1	16:1	17:1
1997	12:1	16:1	17:1
1996	11:1	16:1	17:1
1995	12:1	17:1	18:1
1994	11:1	17:1	18:1
1993	11:1	17:1	18:1
1992	11:1	17:1	18:1
1991	13:1	17:1	19:1
1990	13:1	17:1	18:1
1989	13:1	18:1	19:1
1988	13:1	18:1	19:1
1987	15:1	18:1	19:1

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American Indian

n/a

Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1994-2022)
Year	Theodore Lester Elementary School	South Carolina	Florence 01 School District
2022	1%	2%	2%
2014	1%	2%	2%
2013	1%	2%	2%
2012	1%	1%	3%
2007	1%	1%	2%
2006	1%	1%	2%
2002	1%	2%	1%
1997	1%	2%	1%
1996	2%	2%	1%
1995	1%	2%
1994	1%	1%

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Hispanic

14%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2003-2023)
Year	Theodore Lester Elementary School	South Carolina	Florence 01 School District
2023	7%	13%	6%
2022	5%	12%	5%
2021	6%	11%	5%
2020	6%	10%	3%
2019	6%	10%	3%
2018	5%	9%	3%
2017	5%	9%	3%
2016	6%	9%	3%
2015	6%	8%	3%
2014	4%	8%	3%
2013	2%	7%	3%
2012	3%	7%	2%
2011	3%	7%	2%
2010	2%	6%	2%
2009	3%	5%	2%
2008	3%	6%	2%
2007	4%	5%	1%
2006	4%	4%	2%
2005	4%	4%	1%
2004	4%	3%	1%
2003	3%	3%	1%

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Black

52%

31%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Theodore Lester Elementary School	South Carolina	Florence 01 School District
2023	69%	31%	54%
2022	71%	32%	53%
2021	71%	33%	52%
2020	71%	33%	54%
2019	71%	33%	54%
2018	68%	34%	53%
2017	68%	34%	53%
2016	68%	34%	53%
2015	71%	35%	53%
2014	71%	35%	52%
2013	71%	35%	52%
2012	70%	36%	51%
2011	75%	36%	51%
2010	77%	38%	52%
2009	74%	39%	52%
2008	73%	39%	52%
2007	70%	40%	52%
2006	70%	41%	52%
2005	68%	41%	52%
2004	68%	41%	52%
2003	65%	41%	52%
2002	64%	41%	52%
2001	62%	42%	53%
2000	60%	42%	52%
1999	59%	41%	51%
1998	52%	42%	50%
1997	71%	41%	49%
1996	69%	41%	48%
1995	69%	41%	48%
1994	68%	41%	48%
1993	69%	41%	48%
1992	70%	41%	48%
1991	70%	41%	47%

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White

31%

47%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Theodore Lester Elementary School	South Carolina	Florence 01 School District
2023	14%	48%	30%
2022	16%	48%	33%
2021	16%	49%	33%
2020	21%	50%	38%
2019	21%	50%	38%
2018	23%	51%	40%
2017	23%	51%	40%
2016	23%	52%	40%
2015	20%	52%	41%
2014	19%	52%	41%
2013	21%	53%	42%
2012	21%	53%	42%
2011	18%	53%	43%
2010	19%	53%	43%
2009	22%	53%	44%
2008	23%	53%	44%
2007	25%	54%	45%
2006	25%	54%	44%
2005	28%	54%	45%
2004	28%	54%	45%
2003	32%	54%	46%
2002	34%	55%	46%
2001	36%	55%	45%
2000	41%	55%	46%
1999	41%	55%	47%
1998	48%	55%	48%
1997	27%	56%	50%
1996	29%	56%	51%
1995	30%	56%	49%
1994	31%	57%	52%
1993	31%	57%	52%
1992	30%	57%	52%
1991	30%	57%	53%

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Hawaiian

n/a

Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2013-2023)
Year	Theodore Lester Elementary School	South Carolina	Florence 01 School District
2023	10%	6%	7%
2022	7%	6%	7%
2021	7%	5%	7%
2020	2%	5%	3%
2019	2%	5%	3%
2018	4%	4%	2%
2017	4%	4%	2%
2016	3%	4%	2%
2015	3%	3%	1%
2014	4%	3%	2%
2013	4%	3%	1%

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All Ethnic Groups

0.63

0.67

View Data

Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Theodore Lester Elementary School	South Carolina	Florence 01 School District
2023	0.49	0.66	0.60
2022	0.47	0.66	0.61
2021	0.47	0.64	0.61
2020	0.45	0.63	0.57
2019	0.45	0.63	0.57
2018	0.49	0.62	0.56
2017	0.49	0.62	0.56
2016	0.49	0.61	0.56
2015	0.46	0.61	0.56
2014	0.47	0.61	0.56
2013	0.46	0.60	0.57
2012	0.48	0.59	0.56
2011	0.41	0.59	0.56
2010	0.37	0.58	0.54
2009	0.41	0.57	0.54
2008	0.42	0.57	0.54
2007	0.45	0.55	0.53
2006	0.46	0.54	0.54
2005	0.46	0.54	0.53
2004	0.46	0.54	0.53
2003	0.48	0.54	0.53
2002	0.48	0.53	0.53
2001	0.49	0.53	0.52
2000	0.49	0.53	0.52
1999	0.49	0.53	0.52
1998	0.51	0.53	0.52
1997	0.43	0.52	0.52
1996	0.44	0.52	0.51
1995	0.44	0.52	0.51
1994	0.45	0.51	0.51
1993	0.45	0.51	0.51
1992	0.44	0.51	0.51
1991	0.42	0.51	0.51

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Participates in the

Yes

Eligible for

100%

67%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Theodore Lester Elementary School	South Carolina	Florence 01 School District
2023	100%	67%	86%
2022	100%	60%	79%
2021	100%	59%	70%
2020	78%	58%	56%
2019	78%	58%	56%
2018	100%	64%	71%
2017	100%	64%	71%
2016	74%	55%	56%
2015	70%	50%	52%
2014	78%	51%	56%
2013	83%	51%	55%
2012	88%	50%	55%
2011	87%	48%	54%
2010	87%	47%	54%
2009	82%	45%	50%
2008	76%	44%	50%
2007	79%	44%	52%
2006	69%	44%	48%
2005	72%	44%	47%
2004	67%	43%	46%
2003	62%	42%	43%
2002	65%	41%	45%
2001	61%	39%	44%
2000	61%	40%	43%
1999	57%	39%	40%
1998	58%	42%	45%
1997	59%	40%	43%
1996	75%	40%	42%
1995	78%	40%	42%
1994	76%	39%	42%
1993	69%	38%	40%

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Eligible for (19-20)

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2000-2020)
Year	Theodore Lester Elementary School	South Carolina	Florence 01 School District
2020	4%	4%	4%
2019	4%	4%	4%
2016	5%	5%	4%
2015	5%	6%	5%
2014	9%	6%	6%
2013	6%	7%	6%
2012	4%	7%	6%
2011	4%	6%	5%
2010	4%	7%	5%
2009	5%	8%	6%
2008	10%	8%	7%
2007	7%	8%	6%
2006	17%	8%	7%
2005	12%	8%	7%
2004	12%	8%	7%
2003	14%	8%	7%
2002	8%	8%	6%
2001	11%	8%	6%
2000	12%	7%	6%

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School Statewide Testing

School District Name

Florence 01 School District

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SC Dept. of Education

Profile last updated: 02/09/2025

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Theodore Lester Elementary School's ranking?

Theodore Lester Elementary School is ranked #961 out of 1,118 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in South Carolina.

What schools are Theodore Lester Elementary School often compared to?

Theodore Lester Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Henry Timrod Elementary School, Wallace Gregg Elementary School by visitors of our site.

What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?

25-29% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 43% SC state average), while 20-24% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 52% SC state average).

How many students attend Theodore Lester Elementary School?

375 students attend Theodore Lester Elementary School.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

52% of Theodore Lester Elementary School students are Black, 31% of students are White, 9% of students are Two or more races, 7% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are Asian.

What is the student-teacher ratio of Theodore Lester Elementary School?

Theodore Lester Elementary School has a student ration of 13:1, which is lower than the South Carolina state average of 14:1.

What grades does Theodore Lester Elementary School offer ?

Theodore Lester Elementary School offers enrollment in grades 3-5 (Supplemental Virtual).

What school district is Theodore Lester Elementary School part of?

Theodore Lester Elementary School is part of Florence 01 School District.