Very Good
#46 of 192 private schools in SC
Top 23% of private schools
Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy
School
1296 COLUMBIA RD, Johnston, SC 29832
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on SC statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
214
Student-Teacher
6.8:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
214
Student-Teacher
6.8:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#23 of 116
About Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy
Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy serves 214 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in Johnston, South Carolina. This regular public school stands out with an impressive 6.8:1 student-teacher ratio, providing individualized attention with 32 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school demonstrates strong overall performance with a 7.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks 30th among South Carolina's 192 schools, placing it in the 85th percentile statewide.
This achievement reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence across all grade levels from early childhood through high school graduation. Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy operates in Edgefield County's ZIP code 29832, where the median household income is $45,437 and median home value reaches $107,500. The surrounding community of 5,514 residents includes 17% with bachelor's degrees or higher, while 24.2% of families face economic challenges.
Despite these socioeconomic factors, the school maintains its strong academic standing. Located on Columbia Road in Johnston, Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy sits in a rural setting that offers students a close-knit educational environment. The school's comprehensive PK-12 structure allows families to keep their children in one institution throughout their entire educational journey, fostering continuity and strong community connections in South Carolina's peaceful Edgefield County countryside.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 6.8:1, Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy 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, Francis Hugh Wardlaw 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, Francis Hugh Wardlaw 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
- $7,241
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $6,045
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 0.83x — At Risk
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 94%
- 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 214 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy compares to the 3 public schools in Johnston, SC
Student Demographics
All Schools in Johnston
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy (this school) | 7.1 |
| Strom Thurmond High | 6.4 |
| Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton Middle | 4.7 |
| Johnston Elementary | 3.8 |
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
1296 COLUMBIA RD, Johnston, SC 29832
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Graniteville Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Graniteville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Saluda Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Saluda), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle/ High (rated 7.6/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Monetta), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Johnston, see our Johnston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Strom Thurmond High Johnston | 0.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Johnston-Edgefield-Trenton Middle Johnston | 0.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Johnston Elementary Johnston | 3.4 mi | 3.8 |
| W. E. Parker Elementary Edgefield | 4.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Douglas Elementary Trenton | 5.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Trenton High Trenton | 6.5 mi | — |
| Bettis Preparatory Leadership Academy Trenton | 10.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary Ridge Spring | 11.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Saluda Elementary Saluda | 14.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Saluda Primary Saluda | 14.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Fox Creek High North Augusta | 14.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Byrd Elementary Graniteville | 15.6 mi | 3.3 |
| Leavelle McCampbell Middle Graniteville | 15.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle/ High Monetta | 13.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Saluda High Saluda | 15.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Saluda Middle Saluda | 15.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Graniteville Elementary Graniteville | 16.5 mi | 8.1 |
| J. D. Lever Elementary Aiken | 15.2 mi | 3.5 |
| W WYMAN KING ACADEMY Batesburg | 15.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Aiken Scholars Academy Aiken | 17.0 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29832 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$43,125
Median Home Value
$112,800
Median Rent
$638/mo
Population
5,375
College Educated
15.2%
Homeownership
64%
Avg Commute
24.6 min
Poverty Rate
24.4%
Median Age
42.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy has a median household income of $43,125. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $112,800, with a median rent of $638/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
| STEP OF FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Ridgeland, SC | 7.1 |
| COMENIUS SCHOOL FOR CREATIVE LEADERSHIP Fort Mill, SC | 7.0 |
| SUMTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sumter, SC | 7.0 |
| TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Greenville, SC | 7.0 |
| MIDLAND VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Graniteville, SC | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy
What grades does Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy serve?
Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy?
Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy has an enrollment of approximately 214 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy is 6.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy rank in SC?
Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy is ranked #46 out of 192 private schools in SC.
What is Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy a private school?
Yes, Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy is a private coeducational school with a Other Religious affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy a religious school?
Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy has a Other Religious religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 214
- Gender Split
- 47% M / 53% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Other Religious
- School Day
- 7.2 hours
- Days Per Year
- 179 days
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- EDGEFIELD
- Phone
- (803) 275-4794
- 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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