Hazel Farm

We are a military family and our kids have attended several schools. BES is really a hidden gem. I'm not really sure I understand all the negativity in these (mostly older) posts but I think a refresh is needed in the ratings. BES has the AMES (gifted and talented) program for the area and it is outstanding with great teachers, low student to teacher to ratio (about 10:1), and very competitive programs. It is true that there are many low-income families that attend this school and those kids have some extra challenges to deal with I'm sure, but the school makes every effort to address these concerns through a caring faculty and Government grants for food and uniforms. My kids were even issued high quality laptops and have been immersed in strong academics. I really think the school's ranking by this website should be reconsidered. I am glad my kids have attended BES.

Lady's Island schools should not be the first choice for anyone moving to the Beaufort area. Beaufort is for rich and retired persons who do not have children in the school system. Lady's Island schools pretend to be schools. They are filled with transient teachers who do not care about SC state schools because they are not native to the state. I am from the midlands and it was a shock to us all how backward the schools down here are and they don't care that they are so far behind most US districts. Teachers lay out of work, bully the children, do not care about parent involvement, and they change administration faster that the tides. Our superintendents come from out of state, then they leave to take another job out of the state. The low country is a dumping ground for teachers not wanted in their own states, then a stepping stone for those wanting to get experience without ties so they can leave as soon as they get their year in. Our kids are the ones who actually get left behind. This system is the reason SC is 49th in the country. The midlands and upstate schools are great. Here they are lacking a great deal and they know it, but they are not from SC so they don't care.

Our daughter is in kindergarten at Port Royal elementary. I must say that this school is a hidden gem! She has only 13 kids in her class and 2 teachers. She loves it and is excited to go to school every day. When we drop her off, all of the teachers welcoming kids all know her name and give her a big hug. I’m shocked that it is rated as low as it is, because the building and grounds are beautiful, the kids are kind, the teachers are involved, and the student population is so small that there is great support for every child. Don’t let this rating scare you off - definitely consider this school if you are new to the area.

Very poor education. Limited resources. Poor classroom management skills. Lacking discipline. Doesn’t help push students academically and doesn’t hold children accountable. Principal has a lot of grandchildren that go to this school and causes a lot of trouble for other children. There’s a lot of, “do you know who my grandma is?” And, “my mom works here, I’m going to tell on you.” Being a VERY small school, you can’t escape the tension. Wouldn’t recommend this school.

Subpar. This school clearly allows any child in. They do not enforce the written dress code. 80% of the teachers are under 25 and have little to no experience. Class sizes are HuGe. And parent concerns are not recognized.

This school and its staff is the greatest. The PTO rocks. They do a lot for the school