Average
#797 of 1,176 schools in SC
South Carolina Virtual Charter School
School · Charter Institute at Erskine
2023 Platt Springs Road, West Columbia, SC 29169
Enrollment
2,350
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
2,350
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In West Columbia
#9 of 14
public schools
South Carolina schools
#25 of 31
In district
#15 of 23
Charter Institute at Erskine
Academic growth
7.0 / 10
Strong
About South Carolina Virtual Charter School
South Carolina Virtual Charter School serves 2,350 students in kindergarten through 12th grade from its West Columbia location in Lexington County. As a virtual charter school, it offers families an online learning alternative with 130 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining an 18.1:1 student-teacher ratio. The school currently ranks #852 out of 1,192 schools statewide, placing it in the 29th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10.
Academic performance shows room for growth, with 55% of students demonstrating proficiency in ELA/Reading while 30% meet proficiency standards in Math across all grade levels tested. These results indicate the school is focusing on student development and academic improvement. The virtual format allows students throughout South Carolina to access this educational option regardless of their physical location.
The school's administrative offices are situated in West Columbia, a large suburban area where the median household income is $51,496 and 37% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding ZIP code of 29169 has a population of 22,039 with a median home value of $181,600. South Carolina Virtual Charter School provides families seeking online education with a comprehensive K-12 program in the growing West Columbia suburban community.
What Parents Should Know
South Carolina Virtual Charter School is a large school with 2,350 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.
South Carolina Virtual Charter School 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.
South Carolina Virtual Charter School is a virtual school, meaning instruction is delivered primarily online. Virtual schools offer flexibility but require strong self-discipline and a reliable home learning environment. Parents should consider whether their child thrives with independent, technology-based learning and ask about the school's approach to student engagement and support.
Score Breakdown
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South Carolina Virtual Charter School — Students at South Carolina Virtual Charter School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 57%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.0/10.
How South Carolina Virtual Charter School Compares
See how South Carolina Virtual Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 53% (2019) to 55% (2022).
Location
2023 Platt Springs Road, West Columbia, SC 29169
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Carolina Virtual Charter School may also want to explore other schools in the area. GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GLENFOREST SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in West Columbia, see our West Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY West Columbia | 0.4 mi | — |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL West Columbia | 0.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Airport High West Columbia | 1.7 mi | 6.3 |
| R. H. Fulmer Middle West Columbia | 1.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Saluda River Academy for the Arts West Columbia | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Brookland-Cayce High Cayce | 1.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Northside Middle West Columbia | 2.2 mi | 5.0 |
| EDGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY West Columbia | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Riverbank Elementary West Columbia | 2.3 mi | 7.2 |
| East Point Academy West Columbia | 2.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Springdale Elementary West Columbia | 2.0 mi | 7.0 |
| GLENFOREST SCHOOL West Columbia | 2.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Midlands Middle College Columbia | 2.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Cayce Elementary Cayce | 2.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Cyril B. Busbee Creative Arts Academy Cayce | 2.8 mi | 6.5 |
| H. B. Rhame Elementary Columbia | 3.8 mi | 5.0 |
| St. Andrews Middle Columbia | 3.9 mi | 5.3 |
| MONTESSORI EARLY LEARNING CENTER Columbia | 3.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Logan Elementary Columbia | 3.7 mi | 8.9 |
| ST PETERS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Columbia | 3.7 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29169 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,673
Median Home Value
$189,900
Median Rent
$1,081/mo
Population
21,342
College Educated
39%
Homeownership
55.4%
Avg Commute
19.2 min
Poverty Rate
14.8%
Median Age
38.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Carolina Virtual Charter School has a median household income of $53,673. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $189,900, with a median rent of $1,081/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Carolina Virtual Charter School
What grades does South Carolina Virtual Charter School serve?
South Carolina Virtual Charter School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend South Carolina Virtual Charter School?
South Carolina Virtual Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 2,350 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Carolina Virtual Charter School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Carolina Virtual Charter School is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Carolina Virtual Charter School rank in SC?
South Carolina Virtual Charter School is ranked #797 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is South Carolina Virtual Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Carolina Virtual Charter School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 South Carolina Virtual Charter School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Carolina Virtual Charter School has 37.0% math proficiency and 57.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Carolina Virtual Charter School a charter school?
Yes, South Carolina Virtual Charter School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is South Carolina Virtual Charter School a Title I school?
No, South Carolina Virtual Charter School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Carolina Virtual Charter School?
53.9% of students at South Carolina Virtual Charter School 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,350
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 130
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lexington County
- Phone
- (803) 253-6222
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charter Institute at Erskine- District Enrollment
- 25,146
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,062
- District Rank
- #15 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.
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