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Average

#452 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 38% in state

Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy

Elementary School · SC Public Charter School District

P.O. Box 97, Trenton, SC 29847

Charter

Enrollment

128

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Trenton

#1 of 2

public schools

South Carolina elementary schools

#248 of 680

In district

#24 of 33

SC Public Charter School District

School environment

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy

Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy is a charter school located in the rural outskirts of Trenton, South Carolina. Serving students from kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 128 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1 with nine full-time equivalent teachers. As a public school focused on leadership development, Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy aims to provide a unique educational experience for its students.

Academically, the school ranks in the lower echelons statewide, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and an academic score of 2.3 out of 10. On standardized tests, only 24% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, and 22% are proficient or above in Math. These scores suggest that the school is focusing on areas for improvement to better support its students' academic needs.

Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy sits in a rural setting near a small town, offering a close-knit community atmosphere where students can develop strong personal connections with their peers and teachers. The school's environment fosters leadership skills while providing a supportive educational experience tailored to the specific needs of each student.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 128 students, Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.9Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data5
Annual Change-2.09 pts/yr
Data Period2018–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-11.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,863
Chronic Absenteeism29.7%

Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy — Students at Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 23.2%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 22.2%
School
State
N/A

Based on 10 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2018
Math
34.5%
ELA
24.5%
2019
Math
34.5%
ELA
24.5%
2020*
Math
15%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
15%
2022
Math
17%
ELA
32%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.9/10.

How Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy Compares

See how Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.9/10
62th percentile in SC
Academic
3.7/10
3.7/10
Growth
7.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year
29.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

P.O. Box 97, Trenton, SC 29847

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Graniteville Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Graniteville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gloverville Elementary (rated 7.3/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Gloverville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Mossy Creek Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby North Augusta), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Trenton, see our Trenton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Trenton High Trenton 3.9 mi
Douglas Elementary Trenton 5.2 mi 4.0
Leavelle McCampbell Middle Graniteville 5.5 mi 3.4
Byrd Elementary Graniteville 5.6 mi 4.3
Fox Creek High North Augusta 5.8 mi 7.8
Graniteville Elementary Graniteville 6.6 mi 8.0
Aiken Scholars Academy Aiken 8.0 mi 7.4
Midland Valley High Graniteville 9.3 mi 6.7
Gloverville Elementary Gloverville 9.6 mi 7.3
Merriwether Middle North Augusta 8.7 mi 5.8
Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton Middle Johnston 10.2 mi 5.3
FRANCIS HUGH WARDLAW ACADEMY Johnston 10.2 mi 7.1
Strom Thurmond High Johnston 10.2 mi 6.3
MIDLAND VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Graniteville 10.3 mi 6.9
Belvedere Elementary Belvedere 10.1 mi 5.6
Merriwether Elementary North Augusta 9.3 mi 4.9
Warrenville Elementary Warrenville 10.3 mi 5.9
Mossy Creek Elementary North Augusta 10.0 mi 6.9
Langley-Bath-Clearwater Middle Warrenville 10.8 mi 4.7
W. E. Parker Elementary Edgefield 10.7 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29847 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,219

Median Home Value

$179,200

Median Rent

$794/mo

Population

4,925

College Educated

14.9%

Homeownership

84.3%

Avg Commute

29 min

Poverty Rate

18%

Median Age

36.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy has a median household income of $69,219. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $179,200, with a median rent of $794/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.0%. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
THOMAS HART ACADEMY Hartsville, SC 6.9
WEDGEFIELD UNIVERSITY FOR KIDS Wedgefield, SC 7.0
CHARLESTON BILINGUAL ACADEMY North Charleston, SC 6.8
THE CHARLESTON CATHOLIC SCHOOL Charleston, SC 6.8
MAY RIVER MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bluffton, SC 7.2
THE COOPER SCHOOL Charleston, SC 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy

What grades does Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy serve?

Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy?

Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy has an enrollment of approximately 128 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy rank in SC?

Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy is ranked #452 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy has a composite rating of 6.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy has 23.2% math proficiency and 22.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy a charter school?

Yes, Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy a Title I school?

No, Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy?

100.0% of students at Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
128
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Edgefield County
Chronic Absenteeism
29.7%
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SC Public Charter School District
District Enrollment
18,404
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,863
District Rank
#24 of 33

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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