Very Good
#199 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 17% in state
Palmetto Scholars Academy
High School · SC Public Charter School District
7499 Dorchester Road, North Charleston, SC 29418
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
7.8
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
7.8
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In North Charleston
#4 of 30
public schools
South Carolina high schools
#70 of 216
In district
#15 of 33
SC Public Charter School District
School environment
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Palmetto Scholars Academy
Palmetto Scholars Academy serves 463 students in grades 6 through 12 as a charter high school in North Charleston, South Carolina. With 31 full-time teachers, the school maintains a manageable 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.1 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #204 out of 1,192 schools statewide, placing it in the 83rd percentile.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 76% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Math performance stands at 58% proficient or above, indicating solid foundational skills with opportunities for continued growth. As a charter school, Palmetto Scholars Academy operates with additional flexibility in curriculum and teaching approaches while maintaining accountability to state standards.
This structure often allows for innovative educational programs tailored to student needs. The school is situated in North Charleston's 29418 ZIP code area, a diverse community with a median household income of $58,404 and median home values around $214,100. The surrounding neighborhood has a poverty rate of 12.6% and includes families from various educational backgrounds, with 20% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
Located in this mid-size city setting, the school serves as an educational anchor in a growing Charleston County community.
What Parents Should Know
Palmetto Scholars 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
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Palmetto Scholars Academy — Students at Palmetto Scholars Academy score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 70%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
26.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 26 test records from SC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.8/10.
How Palmetto Scholars Academy Compares
See how Palmetto Scholars Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 92% (2010) to 51% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 97.5% (2010) to 77% (2022).
Location
7499 Dorchester Road, North Charleston, SC 29418
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palmetto Scholars Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Fort Dorchester High (rated 7.5/10, 2.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is RB Stall High (rated 6.2/10, 1.6 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Lowcountry Acceleration Academy (rated 3.2/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby N. Charleston), a more accessible option. For more schools in North Charleston, see our North Charleston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Hunley Park Elementary North Charleston | 0.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Lambs Elementary North Charleston | 1.2 mi | 6.8 |
| RB Stall High North Charleston | 1.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Jerry Zucker Middle School of Science North Charleston | 1.8 mi | 4.3 |
| CATHEDRAL ACADEMY North Charleston | 1.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Pepperhill Elementary North Charleston | 2.6 mi | 3.8 |
| Midland Park Primary North Charleston | 2.5 mi | 8.6 |
| Fort Dorchester High North Charleston | 2.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Windsor Hill Arts Infused Elementary North Charleston | 2.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Drayton Hall Elementary Charleston | 3.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Northwoods Middle North Charleston | 3.2 mi | 4.2 |
| River Oaks Middle North Charleston | 2.8 mi | 2.6 |
| Eagle Nest Elementary North Charleston | 2.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Pinehurst Elementary North Charleston | 3.2 mi | 4.0 |
| W. B. Goodwin Elementary North Charleston | 3.2 mi | 3.9 |
| NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL North Charleston | 3.4 mi | 9.2 |
| Learn4Life High School-Charleston N. Charleston | 3.2 mi | 2.4 |
| Lowcountry Acceleration Academy N. Charleston | 3.3 mi | 3.2 |
| Hanahan Elementary Hanahan | 3.7 mi | 4.2 |
| A. C. Corcoran Elementary North Charleston | 4.3 mi | 2.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29418 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,421
Median Home Value
$234,500
Median Rent
$1,277/mo
Population
25,589
College Educated
21.3%
Homeownership
55.2%
Avg Commute
25.8 min
Poverty Rate
10.8%
Median Age
37.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Palmetto Scholars Academy has a median household income of $62,421. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $234,500, with a median rent of $1,277/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.8%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle/ High Monetta, SC | 7.8 |
| Batesburg-Leesville High School Batesburg-Leesville, SC | 7.7 |
| Chesterfield High Chesterfield, SC | 7.7 |
| Fairfield Central High Winnsboro, SC | 7.7 |
| Lee Central High Bishopville, SC | 7.7 |
| Carvers Bay Early College and Career High Hemingway, SC | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palmetto Scholars Academy
What grades does Palmetto Scholars Academy serve?
Palmetto Scholars Academy serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Palmetto Scholars Academy?
Palmetto Scholars Academy has an enrollment of approximately 463 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palmetto Scholars Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Palmetto Scholars Academy is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Palmetto Scholars Academy rank in SC?
Palmetto Scholars Academy is ranked #199 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Palmetto Scholars Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Palmetto Scholars Academy has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Scholars Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palmetto Scholars Academy has 75.1% math proficiency and 84.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Palmetto Scholars Academy a charter school?
Yes, Palmetto Scholars Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Palmetto Scholars Academy a Title I school?
No, Palmetto Scholars Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palmetto Scholars Academy?
26.6% of students at Palmetto Scholars 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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FBI UCR. County-level only.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 463
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 26.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Charleston County
- Chronic Absenteeism
- 6.3%
- Phone
- (843) 300-4118
- 4-Year Graduation
- 97.5%
- 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
- #15 of 33
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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