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Below Average

#166 of 192 private schools in SC

Colleton Preparatory Academy

School

165 ACADEMY RD, Walterboro, SC 29488

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

364

Student-Teacher

10.9:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Walterboro

#2 of 2

public schools

South Carolina schools

#96 of 116

About Colleton Preparatory Academy

Colleton Preparatory Academy serves 364 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Walterboro, South Carolina. This regular public school has earned recognition as the 18th highest-ranked school out of 192 in the state, placing it in the 91st percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10. The academy maintains a favorable learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 10.9:1, supported by 34 full-time equivalent teachers.

This smaller class size allows for more personalized attention and stronger student-teacher relationships throughout the comprehensive PK-12 program. The school draws students from the broader Walterboro community, an area with a median household income of $46,170 and median home values around $130,400. About 16% of residents in the 29488 ZIP code hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate sits at 17.8%.

With a local population of over 22,000, the area provides a substantial community base for the academy. Colleton Preparatory Academy's strong state ranking suggests the school is successfully meeting the educational needs of its diverse student body. The academy operates within the town setting of Walterboro, offering families a comprehensive educational option from early childhood through high school graduation in this established South Carolina community.

What Parents Should Know

As a private school, Colleton Preparatory 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.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$8,934
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$8,324
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.93x — Tight
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
99%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$1.1M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 364 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Colleton Preparatory Academy compares to 6 public schools serving similar grades in Walterboro, SC

Student-Teacher Ratio
10.9:1
This School
vs
15.5:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
364
This School
vs
671
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
4.9
This School
vs
5.4
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 94.8% vs 0%
Hispanic 4.1% vs 0%
Asian 0.8% vs 0%
Black 0.3% vs 0%
Colleton Preparatory Academy Walterboro Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Colleton Preparatory Academy (this school) 4.9
Colleton County High 7.4
Colleton County Middle 4.4
Forest Hills Elementary 6.3
Northside Elementary 3.6
Black Street Early Childhood Center 5.7
Hendersonville Elementary 5.2

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

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+ 4.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 10.9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,170
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C+ 3.8 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 10%
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 364
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 94.8%
Hispanic 4.1%
Asian 0.8%
Black 0.3%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

165 ACADEMY RD, Walterboro, SC 29488

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Colleton Preparatory Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. NORTH WALTERBORO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.9/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 5.5/10, 15.1 miles away, in nearby Lodge), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, DORCHESTER ACADEMY (rated 4.8/10, 18.5 miles away, in nearby Saint George), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Walterboro, see our Walterboro schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.4 mi
School Distance Rating
NORTH WALTERBORO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Walterboro 0.3 mi 6.9
Colleton County High Walterboro 1.0 mi 7.4
Colleton County Middle Walterboro 1.3 mi 4.4
Forest Hills Elementary Walterboro 1.9 mi 6.3
Black Street Early Childhood Center Walterboro 3.0 mi 5.7
Northside Elementary Walterboro 2.8 mi 3.6
Hendersonville Elementary Walterboro 9.6 mi 5.2
Cottageville Elementary Cottageville 11.0 mi 4.9
Bells Elementary Ruffin 11.4 mi 6.2
COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lodge 15.1 mi 5.5
William Memorial Elementary St. George 17.6 mi 5.2
St. George Middle St. George 18.6 mi 7.6
DORCHESTER ACADEMY Saint George 18.5 mi 4.8
Woodland High Dorchester 18.8 mi 5.2
Fennell Elementary Yemassee 20.2 mi 5.7
Lockett Elementary Branchville 22.7 mi 8.7
Branchville High Branchville 22.7 mi 7.7
Harleyville Elementary Dorchester 22.3 mi 5.8
Harleyville-Ridgeville Middle Dorchester 22.3 mi 6.3
AMIKIDS BEAUFORT Seabrook 25.4 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29488 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$47,083

Median Home Value

$155,700

Median Rent

$862/mo

Population

22,367

College Educated

18%

Homeownership

65.8%

Avg Commute

33 min

Poverty Rate

21.6%

Median Age

40.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Colleton Preparatory Academy has a median household income of $47,083. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $155,700, with a median rent of $862/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 33 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
HAMPTON PARK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Greenville, SC 4.9
DORCHESTER ACADEMY Saint George, SC 4.8
THE CAROLINA ACADEMY Lake City, SC 4.8
CLARENDON HALL SCHOOL Summerton, SC 4.7
EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hartsville, SC 4.7
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Myrtle Beach, SC 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Colleton Preparatory Academy

What grades does Colleton Preparatory Academy serve?

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

How many students attend Colleton Preparatory Academy?

Colleton Preparatory Academy has an enrollment of approximately 364 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Colleton Preparatory Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Colleton Preparatory Academy is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Colleton Preparatory Academy rank in SC?

Colleton Preparatory Academy is ranked #166 out of 192 private schools in SC.

What is Colleton Preparatory Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Colleton Preparatory Academy has a composite rating of 4.9 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.

Is Colleton Preparatory Academy a private school?

Yes, Colleton Preparatory 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 Colleton Preparatory Academy a religious school?

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

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (6,441/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
364
Gender Split
44% M / 56% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.5 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Distant Town
County
COLLETON
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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