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Needs Improvement

#1172 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

2.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Columbia

#72 of 72

public schools

South Carolina schools

#30 of 31

In district

#22 of 23

Charter Institute at Erskine

About Sc Connections Academy

SC Connections Academy serves 5,955 students from kindergarten through 12th grade as a charter school operating in Columbia, South Carolina. With 254 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.4:1, providing online education to families throughout Lexington County and beyond. Academically, the school shows mixed performance with 62% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts, while mathematics presents opportunities for growth with 31% of students meeting proficiency standards.

The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks 806th among South Carolina's 1,192 schools, placing it in the 32nd percentile statewide. These results reflect the unique challenges and opportunities that come with virtual learning environments. As a public charter school, SC Connections Academy offers families an alternative to traditional classroom settings through its comprehensive online platform.

The school draws students from diverse backgrounds, serving families in the Columbia metropolitan area where the median household income is $49,100 and 29% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Located on Executive Center Drive in Columbia's large suburban setting, SC Connections Academy provides flexible educational options for students who may benefit from the structure and pace of virtual schooling in South Carolina's capital region.

What Parents Should Know

Sc Connections Academy is a large school with 5,955 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

The student-teacher ratio at Sc Connections Academy is 23.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Sc Connections 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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.1Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-13 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)60%
vs. Expected-13.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
College Readiness2.2Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation1.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.2Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$6,927

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 37.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 62.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 3 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

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: 1.1/10.

How Sc Connections Academy Compares

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

Overall Score
2.6/10
0th percentile in SC
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
1.1/10
Below average
Environment
1.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
254 teachers

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 7.1/10, 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 4.1
BEN LIPPEN SCHOOL Columbia 0.9 mi 5.3
Sandel Elementary Columbia 1.2 mi 4.4
Pine Grove Elementary Columbia 1.6 mi 5.1
River Bluff High Lexington 1.8 mi 8.5
Columbia High Columbia 1.9 mi 7.7
St. Andrews Middle Columbia 1.9 mi 5.3
H. B. Rhame Elementary Columbia 2.0 mi 5.0
Gray Collegiate Academy West Columbia 2.4 mi 4.3
East Point Academy West Columbia 2.6 mi 7.9
GLENFOREST SCHOOL West Columbia 2.7 mi 7.4
SCDJJ Evaluation and Detention Center Columbia 2.7 mi 7.1
Riverbank Elementary West Columbia 2.6 mi 7.2
Leaphart Elementary Columbia 2.4 mi 6.0
Northside Middle West Columbia 2.6 mi 5.0
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 7.8
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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sc Connections Academy has a median household income of $50,258. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $183,000, with a median rent of $1,076/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.9%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

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 is ranked #1172 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Sc Connections Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Sc Connections Academy has a composite rating of 2.6 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 Sc Connections Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sc Connections Academy has 37.5% math proficiency and 62.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (4,022/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Charter Institute at Erskine
District Enrollment
25,146
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,062
District Rank
#22 of 23

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

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