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Very Good

#53 of 192 private schools in SC

Top 27% of private schools

First Baptist School of Charleston

School

48 MEETING ST, Charleston, SC 29401

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 30 schools in Charleston. Learn more

Enrollment

410

Student-Teacher

9.4:1

Score

7.0

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Charleston

#5 of 13

public schools

South Carolina schools

#28 of 116

About First Baptist School of Charleston

First Baptist School of Charleston serves 410 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in the heart of historic Charleston, South Carolina. With 44 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent 9.4:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for personalized attention and strong relationships between educators and students. The school has earned recognition for its academic excellence, ranking #20 out of 192 schools statewide and placing in the 90th percentile among South Carolina schools.

This impressive performance reflects the school's commitment to educational quality and student achievement across all grade levels. Located at 48 Meeting Street, First Baptist School sits in Charleston's vibrant downtown area within the 29401 ZIP code. This neighborhood is home to 8,895 residents and reflects Charleston's unique character, with a highly educated community where 75% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The area shows economic diversity, with median household incomes of $80,886 and median home values of $1,167,600, alongside a 20.2% poverty rate. The school's setting in Charleston's mid-size city environment provides students with access to rich historical and cultural resources while maintaining a close-knit educational community. Students benefit from being part of Charleston's distinctive blend of Southern charm, academic achievement, and historic significance.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, First Baptist School of Charleston offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, First Baptist School of Charleston 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.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How First Baptist School of Charleston compares to 31 public schools serving similar grades in Charleston, SC

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.4:1
This School
vs
13.4:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
410
This School
vs
615
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.0
This School
vs
6.8
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 85.4% vs 0%
Black 8% vs 0%
Hispanic 1.2% vs 0%
Asian 1% vs 0%
First Baptist School of Charleston Charleston Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
First Baptist School of Charleston (this school) 7.0
Memminger Elementary 6.0
Buist Academy 9.0
Charleston Progressive 5.5
Mitchell Elementary 3.8
Charleston Development Academy 4.9
Simmons Pinckney Middle 5.0
Burke High 6.9
Sanders-Clyde Elementary 4.8
Compass Collegiate Academy 8.2
James Simons Montessori 6.4
Charleston Charter School for Math and Science 7.0
Stiles Point Elementary 8.0
Harbor View Elementary 8.0
James Island Charter High 9.2
St. Andrew's School of Math and Science 7.7
Camp Road Middle 7.4
Murray-LaSaine Montessori 7.2
Stono Park Elementary 4.0
Orange Grove Charter School 8.5
Daniel Island School 8.2

Showing 20 of 31 schools. View all schools in Charleston

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)
B 6.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B+ 7.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,260
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 6.9 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 26%
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 410
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 85.4%
Black 8.0%
Two or More 3.2%
Hispanic 1.2%
Asian 1.0%
Pacific Islander 1.0%
Native American 0.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

48 MEETING ST, Charleston, SC 29401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering First Baptist School of Charleston may also want to explore other schools in the area. ASHLEY HALL SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 1.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, PORTER-GAUD SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 2.0 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Charleston, see our Charleston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
CHARLESTON DAY SCHOOL Charleston 0.4 mi 6.9
Memminger Elementary Charleston 0.6 mi 6.0
NE MILES EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Charleston 0.6 mi
Buist Academy Charleston 0.9 mi 9.0
MASON PREPARATORY SCHOOL Charleston 1.1 mi 6.2
Charleston Progressive Charleston 1.2 mi 5.5
ASHLEY HALL SCHOOL Charleston 1.2 mi 6.5
Mitchell Elementary Charleston 1.8 mi 3.8
Sanders-Clyde Elementary Charleston 1.9 mi 4.8
Charleston Development Academy Charleston 1.8 mi 4.9
Simmons Pinckney Middle Charleston 1.9 mi 5.0
Compass Collegiate Academy Charleston 2.0 mi 8.2
Burke High Charleston 1.9 mi 6.9
HARVEST TIME INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Charleston 2.1 mi
THE CHARLESTON CATHOLIC SCHOOL Charleston 2.1 mi 6.8
James Simons Montessori Charleston 2.2 mi 6.4
PORTER-GAUD SCHOOL Charleston 2.0 mi 5.9
Charleston Charter School for Math and Science Charleston 2.3 mi 7.0
Stiles Point Elementary Charleston 2.5 mi 8.0
Harbor View Elementary Charleston 2.5 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29401 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$90,074

Median Home Value

$1,165,900

Median Rent

$1,838/mo

Population

9,210

College Educated

75.1%

Homeownership

57.4%

Avg Commute

14.7 min

Poverty Rate

17.7%

Median Age

34.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding First Baptist School of Charleston has a median household income of $90,074. It is a well-educated community where 75% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,165,900, with a median rent of $1,838/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 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
HOLLY HILL ACADEMY Holly Hill, SC 7.1
Thornwell Charter School Clinton, SC 6.9
CATHEDRAL ACADEMY North Charleston, SC 6.8
FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL & DAYCARE Summerville, SC 6.8
HILTON HEAD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hilton Head Island, SC 6.8
BEAUFORT ACADEMY Beaufort, SC 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about First Baptist School of Charleston

What grades does First Baptist School of Charleston serve?

First Baptist School of Charleston serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend First Baptist School of Charleston?

First Baptist School of Charleston has an enrollment of approximately 410 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at First Baptist School of Charleston?

The student-teacher ratio at First Baptist School of Charleston is 9.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does First Baptist School of Charleston rank in SC?

First Baptist School of Charleston is ranked #53 out of 192 private schools in SC.

What is First Baptist School of Charleston's MySchoolScout rating?

First Baptist School of Charleston has a composite rating of 7.0 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 First Baptist School of Charleston a private school?

Yes, First Baptist School of Charleston is a private coeducational school with a Baptist affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is First Baptist School of Charleston a religious school?

First Baptist School of Charleston has a Baptist religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
410
Gender Split
54% M / 46% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Baptist
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Midsize City
County
CHARLESTON
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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