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Below Average

#169 of 192 private schools in SC

Dorchester Academy

School

234 ACADEMY RD, Saint George, SC 29477

Private

Enrollment

295

Student-Teacher

10:1

Score

4.8

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Data vintage2021-22

How this school compares

South Carolina private schools

#169 of 192

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Dorchester Academy

4.8/10

School in Saint George · grades Pre-K – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St. George Middle

6.9/10

1.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

William Memorial Elementary

5.7/10

2.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Dorchester Academy

Dorchester Academy is a private school in Saint George, SC. Dorchester Academy serves approximately 295 students, and covers grades Pre-K-12th, and has a 10:1 student-teacher ratio. Dorchester Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #169 of 192 private schools in SC.

How it compares1.4 pts below SC schools
  • This school 4.8 · Below Average
  • SC avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Dorchester Academy is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.

Dorchester Academy sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Preliminary

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)
B 5.5 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 10:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.9 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.6 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,155
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C- 1.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 0%
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 295
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 100.0%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

234 ACADEMY RD, Saint George, SC 29477

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dorchester Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. HOLLY HILL ACADEMY (rated 7.1/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Holly Hill), which scores notably higher. Another option is NORTH WALTERBORO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 6.9/10, 18.7 miles away, in nearby Walterboro), which scores notably higher. Additionally, COLLETON PREPARATORY ACADEMY (rated 4.9/10, 18.5 miles away, in nearby Walterboro), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Saint George, see our Saint George schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.7 mi
School Distance Rating
St. George Middle St. George 1.7 mi 6.9
William Memorial Elementary St. George 2.3 mi 5.7
Woodland High Dorchester 3.6 mi 8.4
Harleyville Elementary Dorchester 10.1 mi 3.8
Harleyville-Ridgeville Middle Dorchester 10.1 mi 4.3
Holly Hill Elementary Holly Hill 12.5 mi 7.5
Holly Hill-Roberts Middle Holly Hill 12.7 mi 4.7
HOLLY HILL ACADEMY Holly Hill 13.2 mi 7.1
Lockett Elementary Branchville 14.5 mi 8.9
Northside Elementary Walterboro 16.9 mi 2.5
Branchville High Branchville 14.5 mi 8.4
Clay Hill Elementary Ridgeville 15.2 mi 6.2
Cottageville Elementary Cottageville 17.5 mi 3.0
Colleton County High Walterboro 17.4 mi 7.4
MacDougall High Ridgeville 15.0 mi
Lake Marion High School Santee 18.1 mi 7.5
Colleton County Middle Walterboro 17.9 mi 3.0
COLLETON PREPARATORY ACADEMY Walterboro 18.5 mi 4.9
Vance-Providence Elementary Vance 18.4 mi 7.2
NORTH WALTERBORO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Walterboro 18.7 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29477 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,581

Median Home Value

$75,300

Median Rent

$919/mo

Population

6,949

College Educated

19.5%

Homeownership

80%

Avg Commute

30.7 min

Poverty Rate

23.8%

Median Age

44

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
THE CAROLINA ACADEMY Lake City, SC 4.8
CLARENDON HALL SCHOOL Summerton, SC 4.7
EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hartsville, SC 4.7
COLLETON PREPARATORY ACADEMY Walterboro, SC 4.9
MARANATHA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Florence, SC 5.0
W WYMAN KING ACADEMY Batesburg, SC 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dorchester Academy

What grades does Dorchester Academy serve?

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

How many students attend Dorchester Academy?

Dorchester Academy has an enrollment of approximately 295 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dorchester Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Dorchester Academy is 10:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Dorchester Academy rank in SC?

Dorchester Academy ranks #169 of 192 private schools in SC.

What is Dorchester Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Dorchester Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Dorchester Academy a private school?

Yes, Dorchester Academy is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Dorchester Academy a religious school?

Dorchester Academy has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
295
Gender Split
55% M / 45% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Christian, no specific denomination
School Day
6.6 hours
Days Per Year
175 days
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Dorchester County

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