Very Good
#35 of 192 private schools in SC
Top 18% of private schools
Foundation Christian School
School
1605 OLD STATE ROAD, Gaston, SC 29053
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on SC statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
41
Student-Teacher
5.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
41
Student-Teacher
5.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#17 of 116
About Foundation Christian School
Foundation Christian School serves 41 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in Gaston, South Carolina. This small school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 5.1 to 1 with 8 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for highly personalized attention and individualized instruction that larger schools often cannot provide. The school has earned a solid 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks 88th out of 192 schools statewide, placing it in the 55th percentile among South Carolina schools.
This performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education within its intimate learning environment. Foundation Christian School's small size creates a close-knit educational community where students can develop strong relationships with both peers and faculty across all grade levels. The low enrollment allows teachers to know each student individually and tailor their approach to different learning styles and needs.
The school serves families in the 29053 area, where the median household income is $50,534 and the median home value is $101,300. About 10% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 22.9% of families live below the poverty line. Foundation Christian School operates in a rural setting that offers students a peaceful learning environment away from urban distractions.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 41 students, Foundation Christian School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 5.1:1, Foundation Christian School 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, Foundation Christian School 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
- $2,105
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $2,368
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.13x — Strong
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $87,659
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 41 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Foundation Christian School compares to the 2 public schools in Gaston, SC
Student Demographics
All Schools in Gaston
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Foundation Christian School (this school) | 7.4 |
| Frances F. Mack Intermediate | 6.2 |
| Sandhills Middle | 6.0 |
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.
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
1605 OLD STATE ROAD, Gaston, SC 29053
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Foundation Christian School may also want to explore other schools in the area. SANDHILLS SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Columbia), with a comparable rating. Additionally, HAMMOND SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Columbia), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Gaston, see our Gaston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sandy Run School Swansea | 2.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Frances F. Mack Intermediate Gaston | 6.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Lexington Four Early Childhood Center Swansea | 7.4 mi | 6.4 |
| Sandhills Primary Swansea | 7.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Sandhills Elementary Swansea | 7.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Swansea High Swansea | 8.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Hopkins Elementary Hopkins | 9.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Swansea High Freshman Academy Swansea | 8.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Hopkins Middle Hopkins | 8.9 mi | 6.7 |
| HAMMOND SCHOOL Columbia | 10.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Cyril B. Busbee Creative Arts Academy Cayce | 10.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Mill Creek Elementary Columbia | 10.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Cayce Elementary Cayce | 10.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Meadowfield Elementary Columbia | 11.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Sandhills Middle Gaston | 9.2 mi | 6.0 |
| South Kilbourne Elementary Columbia | 11.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Pine Ridge Middle West Columbia | 10.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Annie Burnside Elementary Columbia | 11.1 mi | 5.9 |
| SANDHILLS SCHOOL Columbia | 11.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Herbert A. Wood Elementary West Columbia | 10.2 mi | 5.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29053 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,141
Median Home Value
$116,700
Median Rent
$947/mo
Population
20,818
College Educated
11.9%
Homeownership
68.3%
Avg Commute
27.7 min
Poverty Rate
21.1%
Median Age
34.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Foundation Christian School has a median household income of $54,141. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $116,700, with a median rent of $947/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| FIRST SOUTHERN METHODIST CHR & WESLEY CHRISTIAN SC Orangeburg, SC | 7.4 |
| GLENFOREST SCHOOL West Columbia, SC | 7.4 |
| RIVERPOINTE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Charleston, SC | 7.4 |
| AGAPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lobeco, SC | 7.3 |
| Cedar Springs Academy Spartanburg, SC | 7.7 |
| HIDDEN TREASURE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Taylors, SC | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Foundation Christian School
What grades does Foundation Christian School serve?
Foundation Christian School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Foundation Christian School?
Foundation Christian School has an enrollment of approximately 41 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Foundation Christian School?
The student-teacher ratio at Foundation Christian School is 5.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Foundation Christian School rank in SC?
Foundation Christian School is ranked #35 out of 192 private schools in SC.
What is Foundation Christian School's MySchoolScout rating?
Foundation Christian School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Foundation Christian School a private school?
Yes, Foundation Christian School 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 Foundation Christian School a religious school?
Foundation Christian School has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 41
- Gender Split
- 46% M / 54% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Christian, no specific denomination
- School Day
- 8 hours
- Days Per Year
- 183 days
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- CALHOUN
- Phone
- (803) 603-8064
- 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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