Average

#104 of 192 private schools in SC

Mason Preparatory School

Elementary School

56 HALSEY BLVD, Charleston, SC 29401

Last updated: May 2026

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

303

Student-Teacher

8.4:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Enrollment

303

Student-Teacher

8.4:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated
2021-22

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Charleston

#11 of 13

public schools

South Carolina elementary schools

#41 of 65

About Mason Preparatory School

Mason Preparatory School serves 303 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in Charleston's historic downtown area. With 36 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an impressive 8.4:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school has earned recognition as a strong performer statewide, ranking #62 out of 192 elementary schools in South Carolina and placing in the 68th percentile.

MySchoolScout rates Mason Preparatory School 7.1 out of 10, reflecting solid academic standing among the state's public elementary schools. As a regular public school, Mason Preparatory provides comprehensive education for students during their foundational years. The small class sizes and dedicated teaching staff create an environment where students can receive personalized support as they develop essential academic skills.

The school is located in Charleston's 29401 ZIP code, an area characterized by significant economic diversity. While the neighborhood has a high median home value of $1.17 million and 75% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, it also has a 20.2% poverty rate, reflecting the varied backgrounds of families in the community. The median household income in the area is $80,886.

Mason Preparatory School sits in the heart of Charleston, a vibrant mid-size city known for its rich history, cultural attractions, and strong sense of community.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 8.4:1, Mason Preparatory 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, Mason Preparatory 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; $17,029
Per-Pupil Revenue: Total revenue ÷ enrollment; $19,062
Financial Health: Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus); 1.12x — Strong
Tuition Dependency: Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees); 97%
Total Assets: End-of-year total assets from IRS filing; $14.9M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 303 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Mason Preparatory School compares to 27 public schools serving similar grades in Charleston, SC

Student-Teacher Ratio

8.4:1

This School

13.4:1

Public Avg

Avg School Size

303

This School

528

Public Avg

Avg School Scout Rating

6.2

This School

7.3

Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 96.4% vs 0%

Black 2% vs 0%

Asian 0.7% vs 0%

Hispanic 0.3% vs 0%

Mason Preparatory School Charleston Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School	Distance	Enrollment	STR	Rating
Mason Preparatory School (this school)	—	303	8.4:1	6.2
Memminger Elementary	0.7 mi	415	11.2:1	7.9
Charleston Development Academy	0.9 mi	168	12:1	8.1
Buist Academy	1.0 mi	537	15.8:1	8.3
Charleston Progressive	1.0 mi	203	9.7:1	8.7
Mitchell Elementary	1.1 mi	200	8.3:1	6.3
Simmons Pinckney Middle	1.1 mi	199	7.7:1	5.8
Compass Collegiate Academy	1.3 mi	114	12.7:1	8.2
James Simons Montessori	1.5 mi	371	15.5:1	8.2
Sanders-Clyde Elementary	1.6 mi	353	8:1	7.0
Charleston Charter School for Math and Science	1.6 mi	559	11.4:1	7.5
St. Andrew's School of Math and Science	2.0 mi	733	15.6:1	8.1
Harbor View Elementary	2.0 mi	662	16.1:1	7.8
Stiles Point Elementary	3.1 mi	813	17.3:1	7.5
Murray-LaSaine Montessori	3.3 mi	338	14.1:1	8.4
Camp Road Middle	3.4 mi	857	16.5:1	5.8
Stono Park Elementary	4.0 mi	371	13.2:1	7.7
Orange Grove Charter School	4.3 mi	1,169	15.6:1	8.2
Pattison's Academy for Comprehensive Education	4.4 mi	50	5.6:1	6.3
Carolina Voyager Charter	4.4 mi	392	15.1:1	6.3
Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary	4.6 mi	617	14.3:1	6.0

Showing 20 of 27 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

B+ 7.4 / 10

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio 8.4:1

Instructional Commitment

B 6.0 / 10

View breakdown

School Day Length 7 hours

Annual Instructional Hours 1,232

Diversity & Inclusion

C 3.1 / 10

View breakdown

Diversity Index 7%

Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile

A- 8.3 / 10

View breakdown

Enrollment 303

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 96.4%

Black 2.0%

Asian 0.7%

Two or More 0.7%

Hispanic 0.3%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

56 HALSEY BLVD, Charleston, SC 29401

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mason Preparatory School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Charleston Progressive (rated 8.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Compass Collegiate Academy (rated 8.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, James Simons Montessori (rated 8.2/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Charleston, see our Charleston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
ASHLEY HALL SCHOOL Charleston	0.5 mi	561	6.5
Memminger Elementary Charleston	0.7 mi	415	7.9
NE MILES EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Charleston	0.7 mi	9	—
CHARLESTON DAY SCHOOL Charleston	0.7 mi	267	6.9
Charleston Development Academy Charleston	0.9 mi	168	8.1
Mitchell Elementary Charleston	1.1 mi	200	6.3
Burke High Charleston	1.1 mi	359	8.3
Charleston Progressive Charleston	1.0 mi	203	8.7
Simmons Pinckney Middle Charleston	1.1 mi	199	5.8
Buist Academy Charleston	1.0 mi	537	8.3
PORTER-GAUD SCHOOL Charleston	1.0 mi	1,039	5.9
FIRST BAPTIST SCHOOL OF CHARLESTON Charleston	1.1 mi	410	7.0
Compass Collegiate Academy Charleston	1.3 mi	114	8.2
THE CHARLESTON CATHOLIC SCHOOL Charleston	1.4 mi	171	6.8
James Simons Montessori Charleston	1.5 mi	371	8.2
Charleston Charter School for Math and Science Charleston	1.6 mi	559	7.5
Sanders-Clyde Elementary Charleston	1.6 mi	353	7.0
HARVEST TIME INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Charleston	1.7 mi	8	—
OAK GROVE MONTESSORI Charleston	1.7 mi	12	—
Harbor View Elementary Charleston	2.0 mi	662	7.8

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 Mason Preparatory School 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	Enrollment	Rating
Bells Elementary Ruffin, SC	278	6.2
Carolina Elementary Hartsville, SC	213	6.2
Geiger Elementary Ridgeway, SC	276	6.2
Westwood Elementary Abbeville, SC	292	6.2
Blacksburg Elementary Blacksburg, SC	321	6.3
Carolina Voyager Charter Charleston, SC	392	6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mason Preparatory School

What grades does Mason Preparatory School serve?

Mason Preparatory School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Mason Preparatory School?

Mason Preparatory School has an enrollment of approximately 303 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mason Preparatory School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mason Preparatory School is 8.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Mason Preparatory School rank in SC?

Mason Preparatory School is ranked #104 out of 192 private schools in SC.

What is Mason Preparatory School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mason Preparatory School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Mason Preparatory School a private school?

Yes, Mason Preparatory School 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 Mason Preparatory School a religious school?

No, Mason Preparatory School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

Explore More Schools

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Neighborhood Context

City Safety: High (2,389/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades: Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment: 303
Gender Split: 63% M / 37% F
Student-Teacher Ratio: 8.4:1
Teachers (FTE): 36
Type: private
Coed Status: coed
Affiliation: Nonsectarian
School Day: 7 hours
Days Per Year: 176 days
Setting: Midsize City
County: CHARLESTON
Phone: (843) 805-6015
Data Year: 2022–2023

Resources & Links

Search for School Website ↗ Google Maps & Reviews ↗ GreatSchools Profile ↗ Niche Reviews ↗ Official NCES Data ↗

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

Data sources

NCES PSSSY 2021-22 Census ACS2019-2023 AI description MySchoolScout Rankings2024 Full details →

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