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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

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy compares to the 3 public schools in Johnston, SC

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.8:1
This School
vs
13.3:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
214
This School
vs
470
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.1
This School
vs
5.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 97.2% vs 0%
Asian 1.4% vs 0%
Hispanic 0.5% vs 0%
Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy Johnston Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 8.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 8.5 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.2 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,288.8
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C 2.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 6%
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 214
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 97.2%
Asian 1.4%
Two or More 0.9%
Hispanic 0.5%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
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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