Excellent
#74 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 6% in state
Buist Academy
Middle School · Charleston 01
103 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Enrollment
537
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
8.3
Grades
3rd – 8th
Enrollment
537
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
8.3
Grades
3rd – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Charleston
#7 of 31
public schools
South Carolina middle schools
#2 of 249
In district
#14 of 79
Charleston 01
Academic performance
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Buist Academy
Buist Academy serves 537 students in grades 3 through 8 in Charleston, South Carolina. A regular public school with a 15.8-to-1 student-teacher ratio, it earns an Excellent composite score of 8.9 out of 10. A near-perfect 9.8 academic score drives that rating, supported by an 8.3 growth score — meaning students perform at a high level and continue making gains year after year.
The comparative data places Buist at the top of South Carolina's middle school rankings. It sits first among all 249 middle schools statewide, with overall performance that outperforms 99% of the state's public schools. That position holds across all school types, not just middle schools.
Within Charleston, Buist ranks third among 31 public schools. Statewide, it places 18th out of 1,176 public schools. For families comparing middle schools in the Charleston area, those numbers provide a clear reference point.
No middle school in South Carolina scores higher, and Buist's standing in the full statewide rankings makes it one of the strongest public school options available at any grade level.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Buist Academy — Students at Buist Academy score 94% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 72%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
21.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.3/10.
How Buist Academy Compares
See how Buist Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 91% (2019) to 91% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 91% (2019) to 96% (2022).
Location
103 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Buist Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Charleston Progressive (rated 8.7/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Burke High (rated 8.3/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Compass Collegiate Academy (rated 8.2/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Charleston, see our Charleston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston Progressive Charleston | 0.4 mi | 8.7 |
| NE MILES EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Charleston | 0.4 mi | — |
| Memminger Elementary Charleston | 0.5 mi | 7.9 |
| CHARLESTON DAY SCHOOL Charleston | 0.6 mi | 6.9 |
| ASHLEY HALL SCHOOL Charleston | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| FIRST BAPTIST SCHOOL OF CHARLESTON Charleston | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Sanders-Clyde Elementary Charleston | 1.0 mi | 7.0 |
| MASON PREPARATORY SCHOOL Charleston | 1.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Mitchell Elementary Charleston | 1.0 mi | 6.3 |
| HARVEST TIME INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Charleston | 1.2 mi | — |
| Compass Collegiate Academy Charleston | 1.2 mi | 8.2 |
| THE CHARLESTON CATHOLIC SCHOOL Charleston | 1.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Simmons Pinckney Middle Charleston | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| James Simons Montessori Charleston | 1.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Burke High Charleston | 1.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Charleston Development Academy Charleston | 1.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Charleston Charter School for Math and Science Charleston | 1.5 mi | 7.5 |
| PORTER-GAUD SCHOOL Charleston | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| OAK GROVE MONTESSORI Charleston | 2.6 mi | — |
| SUNDROPS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Mount Pleasant | 2.7 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$90,074
Median Home Value
$1,165,900
Median Rent
$1,838/mo
Population
9,210
College Educated
75.1%
Homeownership
57.4%
Avg Commute
14.7 min
Poverty Rate
17.7%
Median Age
34.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Buist Academy has a median household income of $90,074. It is a well-educated community where 75% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,165,900, with a median rent of $1,838/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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 |
|---|---|
| McCants Middle Anderson, SC | 8.0 |
| Manning Junior High Manning, SC | 7.9 |
| Waccamaw Intermediate Pawleys Island, SC | 7.7 |
| Fort Mill Middle Fort Mill, SC | 7.6 |
| Clinton Middle Clinton, SC | 7.5 |
| Southwood Academy for the Arts Anderson, SC | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Buist Academy
What grades does Buist Academy serve?
Buist Academy serves students in grades 3rd through 8th.
How many students attend Buist Academy?
Buist Academy has an enrollment of approximately 537 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Buist Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Buist Academy is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Buist Academy rank in SC?
Buist Academy is ranked #74 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Buist Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Buist Academy has a composite rating of 8.3 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 Buist Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buist Academy has 92.0% math proficiency and 94.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Buist Academy a charter school?
No, Buist Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Buist Academy a Title I school?
No, Buist Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buist Academy?
21.4% of students at Buist 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 97 Walker's Paradise
- Transit Score
- 49 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 83 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,389/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Charleston). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 8th
- Enrollment
- 537
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 21.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Charleston County
- Phone
- (843) 724-7750
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charleston 01- District Enrollment
- 50,400
- Schools in District
- 82
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,635
- District Rank
- #14 of 79
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.
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