Mt. Zion Elementary School

3464 River Road
Johns Island, SC 29455
(School attendance zone shown in map)
: 
4/
10
Bottom 50%
Serving 295 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, Mt. Zion Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in South Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 45-49% (which is higher than the South Carolina state average of 43%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 30-34% (which is lower than the South Carolina state average of 52%).
The student-teacher ratio of 11:1 is lower than the South Carolina state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the South Carolina state average of 54% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten-5
  • Enrollment: 295 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 66%
  • : Bottom 50% in SC
  • : 45-49% (Top 50%)
  • : 30-34% (Btm 50%)
  • : 50-59% (Top 50%)
  • : Mt. Zion Elementary serves the southwest part of Johns Island, SC, covering an area of approximately 132 square miles. The typical drive to the school takes about 10-15 minutes, with an average distance of 5.1 miles to the edge of the attendance zone, extending up to 14.2 miles at its furthest point.
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SC Dept. of Education

School Overview

Mt. Zion Elementary School's student population of 295 students has grown by 18% over five school years.
The teacher population of 28 teachers has grown by 55% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-5
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
295 students

Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data

Total Classroom Teachers
28 teachers

Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data

School Rankings

Mt. Zion 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 diversity score of Mt. Zion Elementary School is 0.68, which is more 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)
#687 out of 1118 schools
(Bottom 50%)

Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data

45-49%
43%

Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data

30-34%
52%

Showing 2012–2022. View full 13-year historical data

50-59%
50%
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
14:1

Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data

Hispanic
39%
15%

Showing 2016–2025. View full 36-year historical data

Black
23%
31%

Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data

White
34%
46%

Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data

Two or more races
4%
6%

Showing 2016–2025. View full 15-year historical data

All Ethnic Groups
66%
0.68

Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data

(22-23)
17.3%
25.2%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
87%
50%

Showing 2016–2025. View full 35-year historical data

Eligible for Reduced Lunch (15-16)
8%
5%

Showing 2007–2016. View full 18-year historical data

School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SC Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mt. Zion Elementary School's ranking?
Mt. Zion Elementary School is ranked #687 out of 1,118 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in South Carolina.
What schools are Mt. Zion Elementary School often compared to?
Mt. Zion Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Angel Oak Elementary School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
45-49% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 43% SC state average), while 30-34% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 52% SC state average).
How many students attend Mt. Zion Elementary School?
295 students attend Mt. Zion Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
39% of Mt. Zion Elementary School students are Hispanic, 34% of students are White, 23% of students are Black, and 4% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Mt. Zion Elementary School?
Mt. Zion Elementary School has a student ration of 11:1, which is lower than the South Carolina state average of 14:1.
What grades does Mt. Zion Elementary School offer ?
Mt. Zion Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-5 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Mt. Zion Elementary School part of?
Mt. Zion Elementary School is part of Charleston 01 School District.

School Reviews

5   10/10/2025
Mt Zion is a wonderful small, rural school. Their academic programs are tailored to every child (with many enrichment programs for the advanced learner). My sons are able to be involved in a variety of activities (african drumming, golf, tennis) through the 21st Centurty program. Classes are kept small which gives each child more individual time with the teachers. Nurse Abby is a wealth of information. Teachers return phone calls promptly and encourage parental involvement. I love Mt. Zion. Even better, my sons love Mt. Zion!
- Posted by Parent - leavi
5   10/10/2025
The teachers and administrative staff at Mount Zion are absolutely WONDERFUL. They are very attentive to the needs of each individual student. We moved from Dorchester District 2 to Charleston county and realized that the students here at Mount Zion are far more ahead in academics! We had to catch our kids up to speed within a week of relocating. I LOVE THIS SCHOOL!!!! The teachers go above and beyond that which I have ever seen.
- Posted by Parent - Nia Hartsfield
3   10/10/2025
This school may have wonderful teachers and staff, which is great. But, it is full of illegal alien children with illegal alien parents using our schools and the taxes we pay. It's a shame, the school has a majority of Hispanic children, whom most all are illegally here. It's a shame our taxes pay for them, and this school has a great staff and teachers.
- Posted by Parent - Patriot in Johns Island
5   10/10/2025
The best school, my teachers are so nice.
- Posted by Student/Alumni - Carman

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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten-5
  • Enrollment: 295 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 66%
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 45-49% (Top 50%)
  • : 30-34% (Btm 50%)
  • : 50-59% (Top 50%)
  • : Mt. Zion Elementary serves the southwest part of Johns Island, SC, covering an area of approximately 132 square miles. The typical drive to the school takes about 10-15 minutes, with an average distance of 5.1 miles to the edge of the attendance zone, extending up to 14.2 miles at its furthest point.
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SC Dept. of Education

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