Below Average
#908 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
4.8
Grades
2nd – 8th
Enrollment
198
Student-Teacher
8.6:1
Score
4.8
Grades
2nd – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#908 of 1,176
In Columbia
#49 of 72
public schools
In district
#31 of 33
SC Public Charter School District
School environment
9.8 / 10
Excellent
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Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy
Middle School in Columbia · grades 2nd – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
J. P. Thomas Elementary
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Pendergrass Fairwold School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy
Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy is a public middle school in Columbia, SC, part of SC Public Charter School District. Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy serves approximately 198 students, and covers grades 2nd-8th, and has a 8.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #908 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy show 8% math proficiency (2022 EdFacts) and 17% reading/ELA proficiency (2022 EdFacts).
- This school 4.8 · Below Average
- District avg 6.9
- SC avg 5.3
What Parents Should Know
At 198 students, Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 8.6:1 students to teachers, Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
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 7.0/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alcorn Middle (rated 4.4/10, 1.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, W. A. Perry Middle (rated 4.1/10, 2.0 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 | 6.8 |
| V.V.REID SCHOOL Columbia | 0.8 mi | — |
| V.V. REID SCHOOL, LLC Columbia | 0.8 mi | — |
| Arden Elementary Columbia | 1.0 mi | 3.4 |
| SC Whitmore School Columbia | 0.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Burton Pack Elementary Columbia | 1.1 mi | 3.6 |
| A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia | 1.1 mi | 3.4 |
| Alcorn Middle Columbia | 1.1 mi | 4.4 |
| SONLIGHT HERITAGE ACADEMY Columbia | 1.6 mi | — |
| W. A. Perry Middle Columbia | 2.0 mi | 4.1 |
| W. G. Sanders Middle Columbia | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Watkins-Nance Elementary Columbia | 2.2 mi | 4.3 |
| Eau Claire High Columbia | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Hyatt Park Elementary Columbia | 2.0 mi | 3.3 |
| CENTER FOR LEARNING INC Columbia | 2.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Carolina School for Inquiry Columbia | 2.3 mi | 4.2 |
| DANIELS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Columbia | 2.4 mi | — |
| Bradley Elementary Columbia | 2.4 mi | 6.3 |
| C. A. Johnson High Columbia | 2.6 mi | 6.5 |
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ronald E. McNair Jr. High Lake City, SC | 4.8 |
| Scott's Branch Middle Summerton, SC | 4.7 |
| Ware Shoals Elementary Middle Ware Shoals, SC | 4.9 |
| Whale Branch Middle Seabrook, SC | 4.9 |
| St. Stephen Middle St. Stephen, SC | 4.6 |
| Denmark-Olar Middle Denmark, 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 ranks #908 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 current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy has 8% math proficiency (2022 EdFacts) and 17% reading/ELA proficiency (2022 EdFacts).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 25.3%
- Phone
- (803) 900-0664
Resources & Links
District
SC Public Charter School District- District Enrollment
- 18,404
- Schools in District
- 39
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $23,863
- District Rank
- #31 of 33
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