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Very Good

#45 of 192 private schools in SC

Top 23% of private schools

St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School

Elementary School

118 YORK ST SE, Aiken, SC 29801

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 16 schools in Aiken. Learn more

Enrollment

202

Student-Teacher

9.5:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Aiken

#1 of 3

public schools

South Carolina elementary schools

#17 of 65

About St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School

St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic School serves 202 students in grades kindergarten through eighth in Aiken, South Carolina. This elementary school maintains an excellent 9.5:1 student-teacher ratio with 21 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where students receive personalized attention.

The school has earned impressive recognition, ranking #4 out of 192 schools statewide and placing in the 98th percentile among South Carolina elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10, St. Mary Help of Christians demonstrates strong educational performance that sets it apart from most schools in the state.

The school draws families from a diverse economic community where the median household income is $52,973 and median home value is $145,900. The neighborhood reflects a mix of educational backgrounds, with 26% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while about one in five families faces economic challenges with the area's 20.1% poverty rate. Located on York Street SE in Aiken's large suburban setting, St.

Mary Help of Christians provides Catholic education in a community of over 30,000 residents. The school's combination of small class sizes, strong academic reputation, and faith-based education makes it a notable choice for families seeking quality elementary education in the Aiken area.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School compares to 13 public schools serving similar grades in Aiken, SC

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.5:1
This School
vs
14.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
202
This School
vs
580
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.1
This School
vs
5.3
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 83.2% vs 0%
Hispanic 7.4% vs 0%
Asian 4% vs 0%
Black 1.5% vs 0%
St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School Aiken Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School (this school) 7.1
Schofield Middle 3.8
North Aiken Elementary 3.7
Aiken Intermediate 6.4
Millbrook Elementary 6.8
M. B. Kennedy Middle 2.8
East Aiken School of the Arts 6.6
Aiken Elementary 5.9
Horse Creek Academy
Chukker Creek Elementary 4.3
J. D. Lever Elementary 3.5
Oakwood-Windsor Elementary 7.5
Tall Pines STEM Academy 7.1
Redcliffe Elementary 5.0

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in SC.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B 6.2 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B+ 7.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,260
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 7.5 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 30%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 202
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in SC

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 83.2%
Hispanic 7.4%
Asian 4.0%
Two or More 4.0%
Black 1.5%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

118 YORK ST SE, Aiken, SC 29801

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SECOND BAPTIST CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Millbrook Elementary (rated 6.8/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, East Aiken School of the Arts (rated 6.6/10, 2.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Aiken, see our Aiken schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.5 mi
School Distance Rating
AIKENS FBC PRESCHOOL Aiken 0.1 mi
ST JOHN'S METHODIST KINDERGARTEN Aiken 0.2 mi
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH PRESCHOOL Aiken 0.3 mi
MEAD HALL EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Aiken 0.4 mi 6.0
Schofield Middle Aiken 0.4 mi 3.8
SECOND BAPTIST CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY SCHOOL Aiken 0.6 mi 7.0
Aiken High Aiken 1.3 mi 5.5
North Aiken Elementary Aiken 1.9 mi 3.7
SOUTH AIKEN PRESBYTERIAN KINDERGARTEN Aiken 2.2 mi
Aiken Intermediate Aiken 2.0 mi 6.4
Millbrook Elementary Aiken 2.3 mi 6.8
M. B. Kennedy Middle Aiken 2.4 mi 2.8
South Aiken High Aiken 2.6 mi 8.1
East Aiken School of the Arts Aiken 2.6 mi 6.6
Aiken Scholars Academy Aiken 3.0 mi 7.6
Aiken Elementary Aiken 3.5 mi 5.9
Horse Creek Academy Aiken 3.5 mi
Chukker Creek Elementary Aiken 5.1 mi 4.3
Warrenville Elementary Warrenville 4.6 mi 4.8
J. D. Lever Elementary Aiken 6.5 mi 3.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,032

Median Home Value

$163,900

Median Rent

$1,070/mo

Population

30,088

College Educated

27.8%

Homeownership

65.9%

Avg Commute

24.5 min

Poverty Rate

21.9%

Median Age

39.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School has a median household income of $55,032. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $163,900, with a median rent of $1,070/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Tigerville Elementary Taylors, SC 7.1
Wright Elementary Belton, SC 7.1
Brunson Elementary Brunson, SC 7.0
SUMMERVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Summerville, SC 7.0
Gadsden Elementary Gadsden, SC 7.2
Greeleyville Primary Greeleyville, SC 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School

What grades does St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School serve?

St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School?

St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School has an enrollment of approximately 202 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School?

The student-teacher ratio at St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School is 9.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School rank in SC?

St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School is ranked #45 out of 192 private schools in SC.

What is St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School's MySchoolScout rating?

St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School has a composite rating of 7.1 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.

Is St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School a private school?

Yes, St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School a religious school?

St Mary Help of Christians Catholic School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
72 Very Walkable
Bike Score
50 Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,539/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
202
Gender Split
46% M / 54% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
AIKEN
Data Year
2022–2023

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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