Below Average
#951 of 1,176 schools in SC
Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy
Middle School · SC Public Charter School District
PO Box 25193, Columbia, SC 29224
Enrollment
198
Student-Teacher
8.6:1
Score
4.9
Grades
2nd – 8th
Enrollment
198
Student-Teacher
8.6:1
Score
4.9
Grades
2nd – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#58 of 72
public schools
South Carolina middle schools
#180 of 249
In district
#29 of 33
SC Public Charter School District
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy
Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy is a charter middle school located in Columbia, South Carolina. Serving students from grade 2 through grade 8, the school has an enrollment of 198 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 8.6:1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in a large suburban area, Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy focuses on fostering a supportive educational environment despite current academic challenges, as reflected by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and state ranking of 14th percentile among South Carolina schools.
While the school's recent test scores in ELA/Reading (17% proficiency) and Math (8% proficiency) indicate areas for improvement, Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy remains committed to providing a nurturing educational setting where students can develop academically and personally. The school’s suburban location offers a blend of community resources and a supportive neighborhood atmosphere conducive to learning and growth.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 198 students, Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy 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 8.6:1, Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence 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.
Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 2/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
View breakdown
Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy — Students at Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
34.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 2 test records from SC state assessments. About our data
How Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy Compares
See how Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
PO Box 25193, Columbia, SC 29224
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. W. G. Sanders Middle (rated 6.4/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is W. A. Perry Middle (rated 5.7/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Alcorn Middle (rated 4.2/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| J. P. Thomas Elementary Columbia | 0.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Pendergrass Fairwold School Columbia | 0.6 mi | 8.6 |
| V.V.REID SCHOOL Columbia | 0.8 mi | — |
| V.V. REID SCHOOL, LLC Columbia | 0.8 mi | — |
| Arden Elementary Columbia | 1.0 mi | 5.1 |
| SC Whitmore School Columbia | 0.9 mi | 3.4 |
| Burton Pack Elementary Columbia | 1.1 mi | 5.4 |
| A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia | 1.1 mi | 3.7 |
| Alcorn Middle Columbia | 1.1 mi | 4.2 |
| SONLIGHT HERITAGE ACADEMY Columbia | 1.6 mi | — |
| W. A. Perry Middle Columbia | 2.0 mi | 5.7 |
| W. G. Sanders Middle Columbia | 1.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Watkins-Nance Elementary Columbia | 2.2 mi | 3.7 |
| Eau Claire High Columbia | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Hyatt Park Elementary Columbia | 2.0 mi | 4.8 |
| CENTER FOR LEARNING INC Columbia | 2.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Carolina School for Inquiry Columbia | 2.3 mi | 7.0 |
| DANIELS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Columbia | 2.4 mi | — |
| Bradley Elementary Columbia | 2.4 mi | 5.2 |
| C. A. Johnson High Columbia | 2.6 mi | 5.2 |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| McCormick Middle Mccormick, SC | 5.0 |
| Johnsonville Middle Johnsonville, SC | 5.1 |
| Ronald E. McNair Jr. High Lake City, SC | 5.1 |
| Whale Branch Middle Seabrook, SC | 5.2 |
| A. L. Corbett Middle Wagener, SC | 5.3 |
| C. E. Murray Middle Greeleyville, SC | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy
What grades does Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy serve?
Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy serves students in grades 2nd through 8th.
How many students attend Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy?
Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy has an enrollment of approximately 198 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy is 8.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy rank in SC?
Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy is ranked #951 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy has a composite rating of 4.9 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.
What are the test scores at Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy has 7.5% math proficiency and 17.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy a charter school?
Yes, Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy a Title I school?
No, Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy?
34.3% of students at Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,022/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 2nd – 8th
- Enrollment
- 198
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 34.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Richland County
- Phone
- (803) 900-0664
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SC Public Charter School District- District Enrollment
- 18,404
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,863
- District Rank
- #29 of 33
Other Schools in This District
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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