- Enrollment
- 1,905
- Students per teacher
- 20.1:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
Elementary school (grades K-5) · Lancaster, SC
Discovery Charter of Lancaster
Federal NCES profile for Discovery Charter of Lancaster, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 48/100.
2024-25 NCES dataElementary school (grades K-5)NCES 450258000556Charter school
👥 S:T ratio 16
🌟 Gifted program 70
📋 Attendance 59
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Discovery Charter of Lancaster earns 48/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes larger than 98% of South Carolina schools. It is also one of the smallest schools in South Carolina.
- #3 of 14
- public schools in Lancaster · Resource Index
- 48
- Resource Index · Typical
- 20.9:1
- large classes for South Carolina
- 51.8%
- free-lunch eligible
Discovery Charter of Lancaster has class sizes larger than 98% of South Carolina schools. Computed live against every South Carolina school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Discovery Charter of Lancaster ranks #3 of 14 public schools in Lancaster, SC.
School address
District: Lancaster 01 · South Carolina
NCES ID 450258000556 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+16 students YoY
Discovery Charter of Lancaster grew from 114 students in 2022-23 to 130 in 2023-24 (+14.0%).
Teacher FTE added 7.2 → 8.2 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+16 students YoY 450258000556 · Lancaster, SC Elementary · SMALL · CHARTER
146 enr · 20.9:1 · 51.8% lunch · RII 48
Nearest enrollment peer: Indian Land High (1,905 students)
Discovery Charter of Lancaster grew from 114 students in 2022-23 to 130 in 2023-24 (+14.0%). Teacher FTE added 7.2 → 8.2 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · South Carolina schools → · Find another →
Discovery Charter of Lancaster in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Indian Land Hi
Indian Land High
1,905 students
- Lancaster High
Lancaster High
1,390 students
- Indian Land In
Indian Land Intermediate
1,181 students
- Harrisburg Ele
Harrisburg Elementary
1,161 students
- Indian Land Mi
Indian Land Middle
1,102 students
- This school 146
Discovery Charter of Lancaster
146 students
What this shows Discovery Charter of Lancaster reports 146 students on the CCD universe file.
How Discovery Charter of Lancaster compares
Discovery Charter of Lancaster is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs South Carolina and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs South Carolina | South Carolina avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 20.9:1 | ▲ 46% | 14.3:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 51.8% | ▼ 30% | 74.0% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 146 | top 95% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
20.9:1
Leaner classes than 13% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
146
Bigger than 14% of US schools by enrollment, a small campus.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
51.8%
free-lunch eligible
- 30% below the South Carolina average of 74.0%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
20.9:1
students per teacher
- 46% above state mean
Top 98% in South Carolina - lower ratio than 2% of state schools
Above 20:1, running heavier than the typical U.S. public school; staffing is comparatively stretched.
Engagement
16.4%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 15-20% range, nearing the "high" absenteeism threshold.
Funding equity
$12,216
per pupil, district-wide
- below South Carolina avg of $15,911
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
3
in-school suspensions + 8 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 2.1 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 7.5 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 43.8%
African American 32.2%
Hispanic or Latino 19.9%
Two or More 3.4%
Asian 0.7%
Largest group: White at 43.8% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 66.4/100
Simpson diversity index - at 66.4, Discovery Charter of Lancaster is more mixed than the South Carolina school average of 52.7.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Lancaster 01 reports $12,216 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Discovery Charter of Lancaster Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Land High | Larger | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Lancaster High | Larger | Higher economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Indian Land Intermediate | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Harrisburg Elementary | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
| Indian Land Middle | Larger | Lower economic need | Lower S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Discovery Charter of Lancaster's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,390
- Students per teacher
- 17.4:1
- Resource Index
- 36/100
- Enrollment
- 1,181
- Students per teacher
- 17.1:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
- Enrollment
- 1,161
- Students per teacher
- 19:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
- Enrollment
- 1,102
- Students per teacher
- 17.8:1
- Resource Index
- 57/100
Similar elementary schools in Lancaster
1 comparable elementary schools (grades K-5) serving the same city.
Nationwide elementary schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~146 students)
Frequently asked questions about Discovery Charter of Lancaster
How many students attend Discovery Charter of Lancaster?
Discovery Charter of Lancaster has 146 students enrolled. It is an elementary school in Lancaster, SC. CCD year-over-year: 114 (2022-23) → 130 (2023-24), up 16.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Discovery Charter of Lancaster?
The student-teacher ratio at Discovery Charter of Lancaster is 20.9:1, which is 46% higher than the South Carolina average of 14.3:1 and 33% higher than the national average of 15.7:1.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Discovery Charter of Lancaster?
51.8% of students at Discovery Charter of Lancaster are eligible for free lunch, compared to the South Carolina average of 74.0%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Discovery Charter of Lancaster?
The largest demographic group at Discovery Charter of Lancaster is White at 43.8% of enrollment, in Lancaster, SC. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 66.4/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Discovery Charter of Lancaster?
Discovery Charter of Lancaster has a Resource Investment Index of 48/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Discovery Charter of Lancaster rank among public schools in Lancaster?
By Resource Investment Index, Discovery Charter of Lancaster ranks #3 of 14 public schools in Lancaster, SC. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all public schools in Lancaster on the city page.
What other schools are in Lancaster 01?
Besides Discovery Charter of Lancaster, Lancaster 01 also operates Indian Land High (1,905 students), Lancaster High (1,390 students), and Indian Land Intermediate (1,181 students). See the Lancaster 01 district page for the complete list.