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Average

#771 of 1,176 schools in SC

Clear Dot Charter School

School · Charter Institute at Erskine

2015 Marion Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Charter

Enrollment

418

Student-Teacher

10:1

Score

5.7

Grades

Pre-K – 10th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Columbia

#39 of 72

public schools

South Carolina schools

#23 of 31

In district

#14 of 23

Charter Institute at Erskine

Academic growth

7.5 / 10

Very strong

About Clear Dot Charter School

Clear Dot Charter School is a public charter school located in Columbia, South Carolina, serving students from pre-kindergarten through 10th grade. With an enrollment of 418 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 10:1, the school provides a focused learning environment with 42 full-time equivalent teachers. Clear Dot Charter School is situated in a mid-size city, offering students access to urban resources while maintaining a close-knit community feel.

The school's MySchoolScout rating stands at 3.2 out of 10, indicating there is room for academic growth. State rankings show the school as #1105 out of 1192 schools in South Carolina, placing it in the 7th percentile. In terms of proficiency scores, only 32% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and a much lower 12% are proficient or above in Math.

Despite these challenges, Clear Dot Charter School continues to focus on developing its curriculum and supporting student needs within its community setting.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Clear Dot Charter School 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.

Clear Dot Charter School 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendStable
Academics3.3Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-14.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
College Readiness7.7Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.2Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10:1
Per-Pupil Spending$6,927

Clear Dot Charter School — Students at Clear Dot Charter School score 22% 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

99.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 12.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 32.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 3 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2021*
Math
12%
2022
Math
12%
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: 7.5/10.

How Clear Dot Charter School Compares

See how Clear Dot Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.7/10
35th percentile in SC
Academic
3.3/10
3.3/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers

Location

2015 Marion Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Clear Dot Charter School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Logan Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF COLUMBIA (rated 8.5/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Carver-Lyon Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
ST PETERS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Columbia 0.6 mi 7.8
Logan Elementary Columbia 0.5 mi 8.9
ST MARTIN DE PORRES SCHOOL Columbia 1.0 mi
DANIELS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Columbia 1.2 mi
Carver-Lyon Elementary Columbia 1.2 mi 8.3
C. A. Johnson High Columbia 1.2 mi 5.2
Watkins-Nance Elementary Columbia 1.6 mi 3.7
Hyatt Park Elementary Columbia 1.8 mi 4.8
W. A. Perry Middle Columbia 1.8 mi 5.7
Heyward Gibbes Middle Columbia 2.0 mi 5.6
Edward E. Taylor Elementary Columbia 1.9 mi 5.2
Hand Middle Columbia 2.1 mi 6.9
Eau Claire High Columbia 2.4 mi 7.2
CENTER FOR LEARNING INC Columbia 2.2 mi 6.2
A. C. Moore Elementary Columbia 2.4 mi 6.7
Brookland-Cayce High Cayce 2.5 mi 7.8
Arden Elementary Columbia 2.6 mi 5.1
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF COLUMBIA Columbia 2.6 mi 8.5
Alcorn Middle Columbia 2.8 mi 4.2
Burton Pack Elementary Columbia 2.7 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29201 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$34,327

Median Home Value

$238,200

Median Rent

$1,207/mo

Population

22,955

College Educated

56.3%

Homeownership

27.6%

Avg Commute

17.7 min

Poverty Rate

47.8%

Median Age

22.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Clear Dot Charter School has a median household income of $34,327. It is a well-educated community where 56% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $238,200, with a median rent of $1,207/month. The area has a poverty rate of 47.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
THE KING'S ACADEMY Florence, SC 5.8
CAMBRIDGE ACADEMY Greenwood, SC 5.6
Lowcountry Montessori School Beaufort, SC 5.6
ST JOHN'S CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Moncks Corner, SC 5.9
CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF MYRTLE BEACH Myrtle Beach, SC 5.4
MARLBORO ACADEMY Bennettsville, SC 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Clear Dot Charter School

What grades does Clear Dot Charter School serve?

Clear Dot Charter School serves students in grades Pre-K through 10th.

How many students attend Clear Dot Charter School?

Clear Dot Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 418 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Clear Dot Charter School?

The student-teacher ratio at Clear Dot Charter School is 10:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Clear Dot Charter School rank in SC?

Clear Dot Charter School is ranked #771 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Clear Dot Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?

Clear Dot Charter School has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Clear Dot Charter School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Clear Dot Charter School has 12.0% math proficiency and 32.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Clear Dot Charter School a charter school?

Yes, Clear Dot Charter School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Clear Dot Charter School a Title I school?

No, Clear Dot Charter School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Clear Dot Charter School?

99.3% of students at Clear Dot Charter School 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 →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,022/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 10th
Enrollment
418
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Free/Reduced Lunch
99.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Richland County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Charter Institute at Erskine
District Enrollment
25,146
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,062
District Rank
#14 of 23

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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