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Below Average

#181 of 192 private schools in SC

Calhoun Academy

School

81 ACADEMY RD, Saint Matthews, SC 29135

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on SC statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

355

Student-Teacher

11.5:1

Score

4.3

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

South Carolina schools

#111 of 116

About Calhoun Academy

Calhoun Academy in Saint Matthews, South Carolina, is a public school serving 355 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. With 31 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 11.5 to 1, allowing for more personalized attention and smaller class sizes that can benefit student learning. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranking impressively at #27 out of 192 schools statewide, placing it in the 86th percentile among South Carolina schools.

This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence across its comprehensive PK-12 program. Located at 81 Academy Road, Calhoun Academy serves a diverse community where the median household income is $49,063 and the median home value is $126,200. The surrounding ZIP code area has a population of 7,974 residents, with 18% holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

While 22.9% of families in the area face economic challenges, the school's strong performance ranking suggests it is effectively supporting students from various backgrounds. Calhoun Academy operates in a rural setting in Saint Matthews, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere while delivering quality education across all grade levels.

What Parents Should Know

As a private school, Calhoun Academy operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Located in a rural area, Calhoun Academy may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in SC.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
C+ 3.9 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 11.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.5 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,137.5
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C 2.5 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 4%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 355
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in SC

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 97.7%
Black 0.8%
Asian 0.8%
Pacific Islander 0.6%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

81 ACADEMY RD, Saint Matthews, SC 29135

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Calhoun Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. FIRST SOUTHERN METHODIST CHR & WESLEY CHRISTIAN SC (rated 7.4/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Orangeburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is ORANGEBURG PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 5.3/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Orangeburg), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ORANGEBURG CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 4.4/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Orangeburg), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Saint Matthews, see our Saint Matthews schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.6 mi
School Distance Rating
St. Matthews K-8 School St. Matthews 2.2 mi 5.1
Calhoun County High St. Matthews 2.4 mi 8.6
OCSD High School for Health Professions Orangeburg 9.1 mi
Orangeburg Wilkinson High Orangeburg 9.6 mi 5.9
Brookdale Elementary Orangeburg 10.4 mi 7.7
Marshall Elementary Orangeburg 10.5 mi 2.1
Robert E. Howard Middle Orangeburg 11.2 mi 2.5
ST ANDREWS METHODIST KINDERGARTEN Orangeburg 10.9 mi
Whittaker Elementary Orangeburg 11.5 mi 5.2
Felton Laboratory Charter School Orangeburg 11.4 mi 7.2
William J. Clark Middle Orangeburg 11.4 mi 5.6
ORANGEBURG PREPARATORY SCHOOL Orangeburg 11.2 mi 5.3
Sheridan Elementary Orangeburg 11.4 mi 7.1
FIRST SOUTHERN METHODIST CHR & WESLEY CHRISTIAN SC Orangeburg 11.8 mi 7.4
ORANGEBURG CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Orangeburg 12.9 mi 4.4
Mellichamp Elementary Orangeburg 13.3 mi 3.2
Gadsden Elementary Gadsden 14.1 mi 7.2
Webber School Eastover 16.1 mi 5.7
Sandy Run School Swansea 15.2 mi 4.3
Elloree Elementary Elloree 14.6 mi 3.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29135 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,081

Median Home Value

$151,200

Median Rent

$1,011/mo

Population

7,940

College Educated

21.5%

Homeownership

79.1%

Avg Commute

28.2 min

Poverty Rate

17.3%

Median Age

46.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Calhoun Academy has a median household income of $54,081. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $151,200, with a median rent of $1,011/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.3%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
ANDREW JACKSON ACADEMY Elshardt, SC 4.4
ORANGEBURG CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Orangeburg, SC 4.4
WILLIAMSBURG ACADEMY Kingstree, SC 4.4
PATRICK HENRY ACADEMY Estill, SC 4.1
PEE DEE ACADEMY Mullins, SC 3.9
CLARENDON HALL SCHOOL Summerton, SC 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Calhoun Academy

What grades does Calhoun Academy serve?

Calhoun Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Calhoun Academy?

Calhoun Academy has an enrollment of approximately 355 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Calhoun Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Calhoun Academy is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Calhoun Academy rank in SC?

Calhoun Academy is ranked #181 out of 192 private schools in SC.

What is Calhoun Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Calhoun Academy has a composite rating of 4.3 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.

Is Calhoun Academy a private school?

Yes, Calhoun Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Calhoun Academy a religious school?

No, Calhoun Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
355
Gender Split
6% M / 94% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.5 hours
Days Per Year
175 days
Setting
Distant Rural
County
CALHOUN
Data Year
2022–2023

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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