Below Average
#169 of 192 private schools in SC
Dorchester Academy
School
234 ACADEMY RD, Saint George, SC 29477
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on SC statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
295
Student-Teacher
10:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
295
Student-Teacher
10:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#99 of 116
About Dorchester Academy
Dorchester Academy serves 295 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Saint George, South Carolina, earning an impressive 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school ranks #23 out of 192 schools statewide, placing it in the 88th percentile among South Carolina schools. With 30 full-time equivalent teachers, Dorchester Academy maintains a favorable 10:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more personalized attention and smaller class sizes than many larger schools.
This intimate learning environment can be particularly beneficial for students across all grade levels, from early childhood through high school. The school operates as a regular public school, serving families throughout the PK-12 spectrum under one roof. This structure creates opportunities for younger students to learn from older role models while fostering a tight-knit school community where teachers and staff can develop long-term relationships with students and families.
The surrounding community in the 29477 ZIP code has a median household income of $53,391 and a median home value of $81,600, with about 20% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Located on Academy Road in rural Dorchester County, the school serves a close-knit community where neighbors know each other and families often have deep roots in the area.
What Parents Should Know
As a private school, Dorchester 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, Dorchester 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.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $8,013
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $8,082
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.01x — Stable
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 88%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $4.1M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 295 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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 | 7.6 |
| William Memorial Elementary St. George | 2.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Woodland High Dorchester | 3.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Harleyville Elementary Dorchester | 10.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Harleyville-Ridgeville Middle Dorchester | 10.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Holly Hill Elementary Holly Hill | 12.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Holly Hill-Roberts Middle Holly Hill | 12.7 mi | 3.6 |
| HOLLY HILL ACADEMY Holly Hill | 13.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Lockett Elementary Branchville | 14.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Northside Elementary Walterboro | 16.9 mi | 3.6 |
| Branchville High Branchville | 14.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Clay Hill Elementary Ridgeville | 15.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Cottageville Elementary Cottageville | 17.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Colleton County High Walterboro | 17.4 mi | 7.4 |
| MacDougall High Ridgeville | 15.0 mi | — |
| Lake Marion High School Santee | 18.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Colleton County Middle Walterboro | 17.9 mi | 4.4 |
| COLLETON PREPARATORY ACADEMY Walterboro | 18.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Vance-Providence Elementary Vance | 18.4 mi | 7.6 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Dorchester Academy has a median household income of $57,581. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $75,300, with a median rent of $919/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 31 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 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 is ranked #169 out of 192 private schools in SC.
What is Dorchester Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Dorchester Academy has a composite rating of 4.8 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 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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (843) 563-9511
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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