Below Average
#1039 of 1,176 schools in SC
Central Academy of the Arts
Elementary School · Pickens 01
608 Johnson Road, Central, SC 29630
Enrollment
485
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
485
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Central
#3 of 3
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#594 of 680
In district
#19 of 23
Pickens 01
About Central Academy of the Arts
Central Academy of the Arts is a public elementary school in Central, South Carolina, nestled in a mid-size suburb. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 485 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.7:1 with 33 full-time equivalent teachers. The academy focuses on providing a strong arts education alongside core academic subjects.
Academically, Central Academy of the Arts ranks in the lower half of schools statewide, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and an academic score of 4.7 out of 10. On standardized tests, 46% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts, while 41% meet proficiency standards in math. The school is working to improve these scores and provide a supportive learning environment for all its students.
Central Academy of the Arts is situated in an area that lacks specific neighborhood details but offers a suburban setting with accessible amenities and community resources.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Central Academy of the Arts — Students at Central Academy of the Arts score 41% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.0/10.
How Central Academy of the Arts Compares
See how Central Academy of the Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 36% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 51% (2019) to 46% (2022).
Location
608 Johnson Road, Central, SC 29630
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Academy of the Arts may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mt. Lebanon Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Pendleton), which scores notably higher. Another option is La France Elementary (rated 7.9/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Pendleton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Pendleton Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Pendleton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Central, see our Central schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| R. C. Edwards Middle Central | 2.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Clemson Elementary Clemson | 3.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Liberty Primary Liberty | 3.3 mi | 6.1 |
| D. W. Daniel High Central | 3.3 mi | 7.1 |
| CLEMSON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Clemson | 4.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Liberty High Liberty | 4.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Pendleton Elementary Pendleton | 5.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Liberty Middle Liberty | 5.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Riverside Middle Pendleton | 5.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Liberty Elementary Liberty | 5.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Six Mile Elementary Six Mile | 6.2 mi | 3.9 |
| La France Elementary Pendleton | 8.5 mi | 7.9 |
| Pendleton High Anderson | 8.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Ravenel Elementary Seneca | 7.7 mi | 6.1 |
| LAKEVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pickens | 9.6 mi | 4.3 |
| Youth Leadership Academy Pickens | 10.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Mt. Lebanon Elementary Pendleton | 10.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Pickens Elementary Pickens | 10.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Pickens Middle Pickens | 11.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Hagood Elementary Pickens | 11.8 mi | 3.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29630 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,879
Median Home Value
$220,300
Median Rent
$966/mo
Population
15,497
College Educated
37.7%
Homeownership
46.7%
Avg Commute
21.5 min
Poverty Rate
21.3%
Median Age
29.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Academy of the Arts has a median household income of $53,879. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $220,300, with a median rent of $966/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Chukker Creek Elementary Aiken, SC | 4.3 |
| Dacusville Elementary Easley, SC | 4.3 |
| Gordon Elementary Dillon, SC | 4.3 |
| North Augusta Elementary North Augusta, SC | 4.3 |
| Sandy Run School Swansea, SC | 4.3 |
| Shaw Heights Elementary Shaw Air Force Base, SC | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Academy of the Arts
What grades does Central Academy of the Arts serve?
Central Academy of the Arts serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Central Academy of the Arts?
Central Academy of the Arts has an enrollment of approximately 485 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Academy of the Arts?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Academy of the Arts is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Academy of the Arts rank in SC?
Central Academy of the Arts is ranked #1039 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Central Academy of the Arts's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Academy of the Arts 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.
What are the test scores at Central Academy of the Arts?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Academy of the Arts has 41.0% math proficiency and 46.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Academy of the Arts a charter school?
No, Central Academy of the Arts is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Academy of the Arts a Title I school?
No, Central Academy of the Arts is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Academy of the Arts?
100.0% of students at Central Academy of the Arts 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
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,311/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Central). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 485
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Pickens County
- Phone
- (864) 397-1400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pickens 01- District Enrollment
- 16,223
- Schools in District
- 24
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,485
- District Rank
- #19 of 23
Other Schools in This District
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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