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Needs Improvement

#1062 of 1,176 schools in SC

Sc Connections Academy

School · Charter Institute at Erskine

201 Executive Center Drive Suite 250, Columbia, SC 29210

Charter Virtual

Enrollment

5,955

Student-Teacher

23.4:1

Score

3.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina schools

#1,062 of 1,176

In Columbia

#63 of 72

public schools

In district

#22 of 23

Charter Institute at Erskine

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Sc Connections Academy

3.9/10

School in Columbia · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Seven Oaks Elementary

3.8/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Ben Lippen School

5.3/10

0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Sc Connections Academy

Sc Connections Academy is a public school in Columbia, SC, part of Charter Institute at Erskine. Sc Connections Academy serves approximately 5,955 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 23.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Sc Connections Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,062 of 1,176 schools in SC.

Structured state assessment records for Sc Connections Academy show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (2022 EdFacts).

How it compares3.1 pts below district
  • This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 7.0
  • SC avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Sc Connections Academy is a large school: 5,955 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

Sc Connections Academy runs 23.4:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Sc Connections 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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.2Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-7.09 pts/yr
Data Period2020–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency62% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)60% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-13.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College Readiness4.5Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate84%
AP Participation1.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,062
Chronic Absenteeism1.4%

Sc Connections Academy — Students at Sc Connections Academy score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 39.7% (multi-year average, 2020-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 62.0% (2022 EdFacts)
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2020*
Math
44%
2021*
Math
44%
2022
Math
31%
ELA
62%

* 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: 1.2/10.

How Sc Connections Academy Compares

See how Sc Connections Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.9/10
10th percentile in SC
Academic
5.6/10
Average
Growth
1.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.4/10
Below Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.6
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
254 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
1.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
1.8% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

201 Executive Center Drive Suite 250, Columbia, SC 29210

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sc Connections Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. GLENFOREST SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby West Columbia), which scores notably higher. Another option is SCDJJ Evaluation and Detention Center (rated 5.4/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BEN LIPPEN SCHOOL (rated 5.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Seven Oaks Elementary Columbia 0.6 mi 3.8
BEN LIPPEN SCHOOL Columbia 0.9 mi 5.3
Sandel Elementary Columbia 1.2 mi 4.7
Pine Grove Elementary Columbia 1.6 mi 3.7
River Bluff High Lexington 1.8 mi 8.0
Columbia High Columbia 1.9 mi 7.1
St. Andrews Middle Columbia 1.9 mi 3.2
H. B. Rhame Elementary Columbia 2.0 mi 4.6
Gray Collegiate Academy West Columbia 2.4 mi 7.1
East Point Academy West Columbia 2.6 mi 7.8
GLENFOREST SCHOOL West Columbia 2.7 mi 7.4
SCDJJ Evaluation and Detention Center Columbia 2.7 mi 5.4
Riverbank Elementary West Columbia 2.6 mi 7.9
Leaphart Elementary Columbia 2.4 mi 5.8
Northside Middle West Columbia 2.6 mi 4.2
MONTESSORI EARLY LEARNING CENTER Columbia 2.4 mi 4.9
Sara Babb High Columbia 2.9 mi
Broad River High Columbia 2.9 mi
Kirkland High Columbia 2.9 mi 5.4
NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lexington 2.8 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29210 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,258

Median Home Value

$183,000

Median Rent

$1,076/mo

Population

40,504

College Educated

29.8%

Homeownership

37.1%

Avg Commute

20.6 min

Poverty Rate

18.9%

Median Age

33.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sc Connections Academy

What grades does Sc Connections Academy serve?

Sc Connections Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Sc Connections Academy?

Sc Connections Academy has an enrollment of approximately 5,955 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sc Connections Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Sc Connections Academy is 23.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sc Connections Academy rank in SC?

Sc Connections Academy ranks #1,062 of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Sc Connections Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Sc Connections Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 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 Sc Connections Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Sc Connections Academy has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2022) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (2022 EdFacts).

Is Sc Connections Academy a charter school?

Yes, Sc Connections Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Sc Connections Academy a Title I school?

No, Sc Connections Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sc Connections Academy?

47.9% of students at Sc Connections 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
36 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
5,955
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
254
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Lexington County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
1.4%
4-Year Graduation
84.0%

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