Foster Park Elementary

Summary:

Foster Park Elementary is a public elementary school in Union, South Carolina, serving 456 students in grades PK-5 and part of the Union 01 school district, which is ranked 62 out of 75 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating.

Foster Park Elementary faces significant challenges, including a student population that is 47.81% African American, consistently low academic performance with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger, and 100% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Despite spending $10,850 per student, which is significantly higher than the state average, the school's performance on state assessments remains well below the state and district averages. Nearby schools, such as Jonesville Elementary Middle, Buffalo Elementary, and Monarch Elementary, while still struggling academically, generally perform better than Foster Park Elementary.

The school's racial achievement gaps, with African American students performing significantly lower than their white peers, are a critical issue that the school and district need to address. The declining academic performance of Foster Park Elementary over the past several years, from a high ranking of 357 out of 619 schools in 2015-2016 to a low of 555 out of 638 schools in 2023-2024, suggests that the school is struggling to improve student learning despite the high level of spending and the low student-teacher ratio. Collaboration with the Union 01 school district, community stakeholders, and educational experts may be necessary to develop and implement effective strategies for supporting the students and teachers at Foster Park Elementary.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 901 Arthur Boulevard
       Union, SC  29379


(864) 429-1737

District: Union 01

SchoolDigger Rank:
555th of 638 South Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,850 Help


Students who attend Foster Park Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Sims Middle
High:    Union County High

Student/teacher ratio:  13.5 Help
Number of students:  456

Racial breakdown:

African American:
47.8%
White:
33.8%
Two or more races:
11.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  100% Help


 See top rated South Carolina elementary schools

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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Foster Park Elementary ranks worse than 87% of elementary schools in South Carolina. It also ranks 3rd among 4 ranked elementary schools in the Union 01 School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 15.03. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Foster Park Elementary has the largest elementary school student body size in the Union 01 School District.  (See more...)
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Foster Park Elementary is $10,850, which is the lowest among 4 elementary schools in the Union 01 School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Foster Park Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Foster Park Elementary 555th of 638 South Carolina public elementary schools. (See Foster Park Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:


Union 01:

SchoolDigger ranks Union 01 62nd of 75 South Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Foster Park Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Foster Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 57.54 245th 542 54.8%
2004 52.32 292nd 550 46.9%
2005 59.04 254th 557 54.4%
2006 53.44 292nd 559 47.8%
2007 44.80 356th 566 37.1%
2008 51.55 317th 577 45.1%
2009 44.63 352nd 580 39.3%
2010 58.62 254th 589 56.9%
2011 58.49 262nd 597 56.1%
2012 58.81 267th 594 55.1%
2013 37.37 407th 599 32.1%
2014 47.22 367th 630 41.7%
2015 36.00 425th 638 33.4%
2016 43.58 357th 619 42.3%
2017 19.83 540th 639 15.5%
2018 23.53 486th 624 22.1%
2019 19.71 526th 643 18.2%
2021 20.49 491st 622 21.1%
2022 14.53 544th 625 13.0%
2023 22.54 509th 644 21.0%
2024 15.03 555th 638 13.0%
See the entire list of South Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Foster Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 26.00 470th 588 20.1%
2019 20.91 511th 600 14.8%
2021 27.66 435th 580 25.0%
2022 16.23 530th 600 11.7%
2023 26.87 474th 608 22.0%
2024 18.98 509th 599 15.0%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Foster Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 22.35 462nd 570 18.9%
2019 14.06 523rd 588 11.1%
2021 11.92 505th 554 8.8%
2022 6.51 556th 573 3.0%
2023 13.96 523rd 580 9.8%
2024 15.86 497th 565 12.0%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Foster Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 11.12 117th 122 4.1%
2022 18.70 134th 151 11.3%
2023 22.11 147th 174 15.5%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Foster Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 25.59 444th 571 22.2%
2019 24.65 457th 590 22.5%
2021 28.74 405th 561 27.8%
2022 23.05 453rd 579 21.8%
2023 32.24 395th 582 32.1%
2024 13.40 504th 568 11.3%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Foster Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 37.99 277th 412 32.8%
2019 29.62 333rd 421 20.9%
2021 36.22 235th 350 32.9%
2022 27.76 311th 393 20.9%
2023 37.33 256th 394 35.0%
2024 29.39 286th 369 22.5%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for White students at Foster Park Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 20.78 377th 457 17.5%
2019 12.58 439th 472 7.0%
2021 10.65 408th 439 7.1%
2022 6.36 443rd 455 2.6%
2023 16.18 401st 463 13.4%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: South Carolina Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Foster Park Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: South Carolina Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Foster Park Elementary

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 345 268 3 1 0 n/a n/a 0 617
1989 347 245 3 0 0 n/a n/a 0 595
1990 336 216 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 553
1991 310 218 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 529
1992 303 223 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 526
1993 310 201 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 511
1994 311 194 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 505
1995 290 213 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 505
1996 290 213 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 505
1997 302 200 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 502
1998 287 213 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 503
1999 280 227 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 509
2000 307 231 2 1 0 n/a n/a 0 541
2001 342 216 4 1 0 n/a n/a 0 563
2002 315 243 4 1 0 n/a n/a 0 563
2003 315 243 4 1 0 n/a n/a 0 563
2004 313 241 4 1 0 n/a n/a 1 560
2005 298 247 3 2 0 n/a n/a 0 550
2006 299 238 4 2 0 n/a n/a 0 543
2007 302 249 5 1 1 n/a n/a 0 558
2008 296 231 4 3 1 n/a n/a 0 535
2009 338 267 4 3 2 n/a n/a 2 616
2010 304 252 10 4 1 n/a n/a 1 572
2011 283 255 4 3 1 3 9 0 558
2012 236 220 5 2 2 2 17 0 484
2013 240 238 4 0 0 0 15 0 497
2014 251 247 5 1 0 0 31 0 535
2015 232 251 4 2 0 0 45 0 534
2016 205 230 4 5 0 0 60 0 504
2017 189 253 5 8 0 0 62 0 517
2018 184 254 5 9 0 0 59 0 511
2019 207 260 3 12 1 0 56 0 539
2020 203 237 0 15 1 0 48 0 504
2021 193 235 0 12 0 0 45 0 485
2022 188 234 2 20 0 0 47 0 491
2023 154 218 0 31 0 1 52 0 456

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Foster Park Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 617 31.3 19.7 n/a
1989 595 31.9 18.6 n/a
1990 553 29.7 18.6 n/a
1991 529 30.7 17.2 36.5
1992 526 29.5 17.8 39.7
1993 511 29.3 17.4 35.8
1994 505 30.0 16.8 45.5
1995 505 32.0 15.8 48.9
1996 505 32.0 15.8 48.9
1997 502 30.0 16.7 50.8
1998 503 32.0 15.7 59.2
1999 509 38.0 13.4 62.3
2000 541 37.0 14.6 65.4
2001 563 39.0 14.4 62.9
2002 563 41.0 13.7 61.3
2003 563 41.0 13.7 61.3
2004 560 41.0 13.7 68.9
2005 550 39.0 14.1 69.8
2006 543 38.0 14.3 66.9
2007 558 56.1 9.9 69.2
2008 535 39.0 13.7 72.3
2009 616 44.0 14.0 70.2
2010 572 36.0 15.8 76.9
2011 558 32.0 17.4 76
2012 484 33.0 14.6 81
2013 497 32.0 15.5 82.9
2014 535 33.0 16.2 85
2015 534 31.0 17.2 77.2
2016 504 31.0 16.2 86.9
2017 517 31.0 16.6 100
2018 511 30.0 17.0 100
2019 539 31.0 17.3 100
2020 504 31.0 16.2 100
2021 485 32.0 15.1 100
2022 491 36.3 13.5 100
2023 456 33.6 13.5 100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Foster Park Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 617 31.3 19.7 n/a
1989 595 31.9 18.6 n/a
1990 553 29.7 18.6 n/a
1991 529 30.7 17.2 36.5
1992 526 29.5 17.8 39.7
1993 511 29.3 17.4 35.8
1994 505 30.0 16.8 45.5
1995 505 32.0 15.8 48.9
1996 505 32.0 15.8 48.9
1997 502 30.0 16.7 50.8
1998 503 32.0 15.7 59.2
1999 509 38.0 13.4 62.3
2000 541 37.0 14.6 65.4
2001 563 39.0 14.4 62.9
2002 563 41.0 13.7 61.3
2003 563 41.0 13.7 61.3
2004 560 41.0 13.7 68.9
2005 550 39.0 14.1 69.8
2006 543 38.0 14.3 66.9
2007 558 56.1 9.9 69.2
2008 535 39.0 13.7 72.3
2009 616 44.0 14.0 70.2
2010 572 36.0 15.8 76.9
2011 558 32.0 17.4 76
2012 484 33.0 14.6 81
2013 497 32.0 15.5 82.9
2014 535 33.0 16.2 85
2015 534 31.0 17.2 77.2
2016 504 31.0 16.2 86.9
2017 517 31.0 16.6 100
2018 511 30.0 17.0 100
2019 539 31.0 17.3 100
2020 504 31.0 16.2 100
2021 485 32.0 15.1 100
2022 491 36.3 13.5 100
2023 456 33.6 13.5 100

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Foster Park Elementary

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YearPersonnel Expenditures from Federal FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from Federal FundsTotal Expenditures from Federal FundsPersonnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $927 (11.0%) $657 (7.8%) $1,583 (18.7%) $5,838 (69.0%) $1,043 (12.3%) $6,881 (81.3%) $8,464
2020 $844 (9.7%) $517 (6.0%) $1,361 (15.7%) $6,287 (72.5%) $1,021 (11.8%) $7,308 (84.3%) $8,669
2021 $643 (7.0%) $720 (7.9%) $1,363 (14.9%) $6,228 (68.1%) $1,557 (17.0%) $7,784 (85.1%) $9,147
2022 $1,080 (10.1%) $931 (8.7%) $2,011 (18.8%) $6,701 (62.6%) $1,984 (18.5%) $8,685 (81.2%) $10,696
2023 $1,277 (11.8%) $1,726 (15.9%) $3,003 (27.7%) $6,306 (58.1%) $1,541 (14.2%) $7,847 (72.3%) $10,850

Data source: South Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Foster Park Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 526th of 643 Elementary schoolsRanks 509th of 644 Elementary schools
 2.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Foster Park Elementary)26.842.6
 15.8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Union 01)31.242.2
 11%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)49.753.5
 3.8%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Foster Park Elementary)24.437.7
 13.3%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Union 01)39.539.5
   3rd Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)57.753.6
 4.1%
4th Grade Science (Foster Park Elementary)36.121.6
 14.5%
   4th Grade Science (Union 01)38.628.3
 10.3%
   4th Grade Science (South Carolina)5246.6
 5.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Foster Park Elementary)41.736.7
 5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Union 01)3538.8
 3.8%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)51.357.2
 5.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Foster Park Elementary)37.516.7
 20.8%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Union 01)38.934.5
 4.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)50.547
 3.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Foster Park Elementary)21.940
 18.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Union 01)26.643.5
 16.9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)4155.2
 14.2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Foster Park Elementary)26.137.1
 11%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Union 01)32.337.8
 5.5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)45.444.6
 0.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students539456
 15.4%
African American260218
 16.2%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian30
 100%
Hispanic1231
 158.3%
Pacific Islander01
White207154
 25.6%
Two or More Races5652
 7.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients100%100%


Schools Near Foster Park Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Foster Park Elementary

Students who attend Foster Park Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Sims Middle
High : Union County High

In the 2022-23 school year, 456 students attended Foster Park Elementary.

Foster Park Elementary ranks in the bottom 13.0% of South Carolina elementary schools.

Students at Foster Park Elementary are 48% African American, 34% White, 11% Two or more races, 7% Hispanic.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the South Carolina Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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