Summary:
The city of Saint Helena Island, South Carolina is home to a single public elementary school, St. Helena Elementary, which serves grades PK-5 with a total enrollment of 347 students. The school has a predominantly African American student population (76.37%) and a high percentage of Hispanic students (11.53%), while White students make up only 6.34% of the student body. With 100% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, St. Helena Elementary has a very high rate of economic disadvantage among its student population.
Academically, St. Helena Elementary faces significant challenges, with student performance on the SC READY assessments falling well below district and state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 3rd grade English Language Arts, only 29.8% of St. Helena students were proficient or better, compared to 53.2% in the Beaufort 01 district and 53.8% statewide. Despite the school's high per-student spending of $22,055, which is significantly higher than the state average, these additional resources have not translated into improved academic outcomes for the students.
However, the school's low student-teacher ratio of 10.1 suggests that it may have the capacity to provide more individualized attention and support to its students. With the right strategies and interventions, there may be opportunities to improve academic performance and help close the gap with the district and state. Addressing the persistent academic challenges at St. Helena Elementary will likely require a multifaceted approach that considers the unique needs and circumstances of the school and its community.
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