For the 2026 school year, there are 11 public elementary schools serving 5,258 students in Lancaster, SC.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Lancaster, SC are Buford Elementary School, Van Wyck Elementary School and Discovery Charter Of Lancaster. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lancaster, SC public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the South Carolina public elementary school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 47% statewide average). Elementary schools in Lancaster have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public elementary school average of 54% (majority Black).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Lancaster, SC (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Buford Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1906 North Rocky River Road
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 286-0026
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 286-0026
Gr: PK-5 | 792 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #22.
Van Wyck Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4945 Charlotte Highway
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 313-6650
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 313-6650
Gr: PK-4 | 820 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #33.
Discovery Charter Of Lancaster
Charter School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
302 West Dunlap Street
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 285-8430
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 285-8430
Gr: K-5 | 146 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #44.
North Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1100 Roddey Drive
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 283-9918
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 283-9918
Gr: PK-5 | 645 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #55.
Mcdonald Green Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2763 Lynwood Drive
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 285-7416
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 285-7416
Gr: PK-5 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #66.
Buford Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1890 North Rocky River Road
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 285-8473
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 285-8473
Gr: 6-8 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #77.
Erwin Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1477 Locustwood Avenue
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 285-8484
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 285-8484
Gr: PK-5 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #88.
Brooklyn Springs Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1637 Billings Drive
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 283-8471
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 283-8471
Gr: PK-5 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #99.
A. R. Rucker Middle School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
422 Old Dixie Road
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 416-8555
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 416-8555
Gr: 6-8 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1010.
South Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1551 Billings Drive
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 283-8416
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 283-8416
Gr: 6-8 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1111.
Clinton Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
110 Clinton School Road
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 285-5395
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 285-5395
Gr: PK-5 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Lancaster, SC?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Lancaster, SC include Buford Elementary School, Van Wyck Elementary School and Discovery Charter Of Lancaster.
How many public elementary schools are located in Lancaster?
11 public elementary schools are located in Lancaster.
What is the racial composition of students in Lancaster?
Lancaster public elementary schools minority enrollment is 55% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public elementary schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public elementary schools in Lancaster are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Lancaster include: A. R. Rucker Middle School vs. Buford Middle School, Erwin Elementary School vs. North Elementary School, Buford Middle School vs. A. R. Rucker Middle School
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.
