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Very Good

#49 of 192 private schools in SC

Top 25% of private schools

Holly Hill Academy

School

142 BUNCH FORD RD, Holly Hill, SC 29059

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on SC statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

250

Student-Teacher

8.3:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

South Carolina schools

#26 of 116

About Holly Hill Academy

Holly Hill Academy serves 250 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in the rural community of Holly Hill, South Carolina. This regular public school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 8.3 to 1 with 30 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and smaller class sizes that many families value. The school earned a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks 112th among 192 schools statewide, placing it in the 42nd percentile for South Carolina schools.

This comprehensive K-12 environment offers the unique advantage of students staying within the same school community throughout their entire educational journey, fostering long-term relationships between students, families, and staff. Holly Hill Academy serves a community where the median household income is $37,946 and median home values average $104,000. The surrounding area has a 24.1% poverty rate, with 16% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

Despite economic challenges in the broader community, the school's small size and low student-teacher ratio create opportunities for individualized support and close mentoring relationships. The school sits in rural Orangeburg County, where students experience the benefits of a tight-knit educational community surrounded by South Carolina's countryside.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.3:1, Holly Hill 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, Holly Hill 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, Holly Hill 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 (2024 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$8,678
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$8,027
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
0.93x — Tight
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
94%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$2.4M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 250 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Holly Hill Academy compares to the 2 public schools in Holly Hill, SC

Student-Teacher Ratio
8.3:1
This School
vs
13.1:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
250
This School
vs
358
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.1
This School
vs
5.5
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 93.2% vs 0%
Black 2.8% vs 0%
Hispanic 2.8% vs 0%
Asian 0.8% vs 0%
Holly Hill Academy Holly Hill Public Avg

All Schools in Holly Hill

School Rating
Holly Hill Academy (this school) 7.1
Holly Hill Elementary 7.4
Holly Hill-Roberts Middle 3.6

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- 7.6 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 8.3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 9.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,320
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C+ 4.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 12%
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 250
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 93.2%
Black 2.8%
Hispanic 2.8%
Asian 0.8%
Native American 0.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

142 BUNCH FORD RD, Holly Hill, SC 29059

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Holly Hill Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. HARVEST COMMUNITY SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 19.0 miles away, in nearby Summerton), a more accessible option. Another option is DORCHESTER ACADEMY (rated 4.8/10, 13.2 miles away, in nearby Saint George), a more accessible option. Additionally, CLARENDON HALL SCHOOL (rated 4.7/10, 18.1 miles away, in nearby Summerton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Holly Hill, see our Holly Hill schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Holly Hill Elementary Holly Hill 0.7 mi 7.4
Holly Hill-Roberts Middle Holly Hill 1.3 mi 3.6
Vance-Providence Elementary Vance 6.4 mi 7.6
St. James-Gaillard Elementary Eutawville 5.7 mi 7.6
Lake Marion High School Santee 9.6 mi 7.8
Harleyville Elementary Dorchester 12.8 mi 5.8
Harleyville-Ridgeville Middle Dorchester 12.8 mi 6.3
Woodland High Dorchester 12.7 mi 5.2
DORCHESTER ACADEMY Saint George 13.2 mi 4.8
MacDougall High Ridgeville 13.6 mi
St. George Middle St. George 13.8 mi 7.6
William Memorial Elementary St. George 14.8 mi 5.2
Elloree Elementary Elloree 15.5 mi 3.5
Cross Elementary Cross 14.4 mi 6.3
Cross High Cross 14.4 mi 6.6
CLARENDON HALL SCHOOL Summerton 18.1 mi 4.7
Clay Hill Elementary Ridgeville 17.9 mi 4.8
HARVEST COMMUNITY SCHOOL Summerton 19.0 mi 5.5
Dr. Rose H. Wilder Elementary Summerton 19.6 mi 8.1
Scott's Branch Middle Summerton 19.9 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29059 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$37,993

Median Home Value

$111,100

Median Rent

$698/mo

Population

5,234

College Educated

16.1%

Homeownership

73.8%

Avg Commute

31.1 min

Poverty Rate

27.4%

Median Age

45.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Holly Hill Academy has a median household income of $37,993. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $111,100, with a median rent of $698/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.4%, 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
FRANCIS HUGH WARDLAW ACADEMY Johnston, 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
MIDLAND VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Graniteville, SC 6.9
OAKWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Anderson, SC 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Holly Hill Academy

What grades does Holly Hill Academy serve?

Holly Hill Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Holly Hill Academy?

Holly Hill Academy has an enrollment of approximately 250 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Holly Hill Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Holly Hill Academy is 8.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Holly Hill Academy rank in SC?

Holly Hill Academy is ranked #49 out of 192 private schools in SC.

What is Holly Hill Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Holly Hill 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 Holly Hill Academy a private school?

Yes, Holly Hill Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Holly Hill Academy a religious school?

No, Holly Hill Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,802/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Holly Hill). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
250
Gender Split
57% M / 43% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
8.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7.5 hours
Days Per Year
176 days
Setting
Distant Rural
County
ORANGEBURG
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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