J. D. Lever Elementary School is located in the northern part of Aiken County, just off Interstate 20 at exit 22. The school is situated in the heart of the Center community. Lever Elementary currently serves approximately 530 students in four-year-old kindergarten through fifth grade.

The school was opened in 1936 in a red brick building which was located on the current campus, and was named Center Elementary. In 1975, the school was renamed J.D. Lever Elementary School to honor Jesse Daniel Lever, who served as principal of the school from 1942 until 1975. In 1988, the current facility was built and classes were moved into the new building. An additional wing was added in 2000 to accommodate a growing population.