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Very Good

#370 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 31% in state

Tall Pines Stem Academy

Middle School · SC Public Charter School District

82 Camp Long Road, Aiken, SC 29805

Charter

Enrollment

382

Student-Teacher

15.9:1

Score

7.1

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Aiken

#5 of 16

public schools

South Carolina middle schools

#30 of 249

In district

#18 of 33

SC Public Charter School District

School environment

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Tall Pines Stem Academy

Tall Pines STEM Academy is a charter middle school in Aiken, South Carolina, serving students from fifth to eighth grade. The school has an enrollment of 382 students and employs 24 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1. Tall Pines STEM Academy focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math education, providing specialized programs to nurture students' interest in these fields.

The school's academic performance reflects areas for growth with an ELA proficiency rate of 63% and a math proficiency rate of 49%. Ranked #389 out of 1192 schools in South Carolina, Tall Pines STEM Academy is situated in a rural area, offering students a unique environment that combines educational rigor with the tranquility of nature. With its dedicated teachers and specialized curriculum, the school aims to support student development through hands-on learning experiences tailored to STEM subjects.

Tall Pines STEM Academy is located in a peaceful, rural setting near Camp Long Road, providing a serene backdrop for students to engage deeply with their studies.

What Parents Should Know

Tall Pines Stem 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.

Located in a rural area, Tall Pines Stem Academy may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.3Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69%
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)75%
vs. Expected-16.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$22,523

Tall Pines Stem Academy — Students at Tall Pines Stem Academy score 58% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

14.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 48.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 63.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
41%
ELA
59%
2022
Math
48%
ELA
69%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Tall Pines Stem Academy Compares

See how Tall Pines Stem Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
69th percentile in SC
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
14%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

Location

82 Camp Long Road, Aiken, SC 29805

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tall Pines Stem Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Aiken Intermediate (rated 6.4/10, 8.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Schofield Middle (rated 3.8/10, 9.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, M. B. Kennedy Middle (rated 2.8/10, 12.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Aiken, see our Aiken schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.2 mi
School Distance Rating
J. D. Lever Elementary Aiken 4.2 mi 3.5
Aiken Intermediate Aiken 8.3 mi 6.4
North Aiken Elementary Aiken 8.3 mi 3.7
NEW HOLLAND MENNONITE SCHOOL Batesburg 7.8 mi 4.8
East Aiken School of the Arts Aiken 9.4 mi 6.6
Aiken High Aiken 9.0 mi 5.5
Ridge Spring-Monetta Middle/ High Monetta 10.0 mi 7.6
Schofield Middle Aiken 9.8 mi 3.8
SECOND BAPTIST CHRISTIAN PREPARATORY SCHOOL Aiken 9.8 mi 7.0
Horse Creek Academy Aiken 10.5 mi
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH PRESCHOOL Aiken 10.0 mi
AIKENS FBC PRESCHOOL Aiken 10.1 mi
ST JOHN'S METHODIST KINDERGARTEN Aiken 10.1 mi
ST MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Aiken 10.2 mi 7.1
MEAD HALL EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Aiken 10.3 mi 6.0
Oakwood-Windsor Elementary Aiken 11.5 mi 7.5
Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary Ridge Spring 12.2 mi 6.0
Millbrook Elementary Aiken 12.0 mi 6.8
M. B. Kennedy Middle Aiken 12.1 mi 2.8
South Aiken High Aiken 12.2 mi 8.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29805 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,359

Median Home Value

$207,900

Median Rent

$806/mo

Population

4,882

College Educated

26.1%

Homeownership

87.2%

Avg Commute

30.4 min

Poverty Rate

13%

Median Age

46.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Tall Pines Stem Academy has a median household income of $76,359. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $207,900, with a median rent of $806/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.0%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Langston Charter Middle Greenville, SC 7.1
Lewisville Middle Richburg, SC 7.1
Ware Shoals Elementary Middle Ware Shoals, SC 7.1
North Central Middle Kershaw, SC 7.0
Waccamaw Middle Pawleys Island, SC 7.0
Hampton Elementary Hampton, SC 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tall Pines Stem Academy

What grades does Tall Pines Stem Academy serve?

Tall Pines Stem Academy serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Tall Pines Stem Academy?

Tall Pines Stem Academy has an enrollment of approximately 382 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Tall Pines Stem Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Tall Pines Stem Academy is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Tall Pines Stem Academy rank in SC?

Tall Pines Stem Academy is ranked #370 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Tall Pines Stem Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Tall Pines Stem Academy 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.

What are the test scores at Tall Pines Stem Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tall Pines Stem Academy has 48.7% math proficiency and 63.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Tall Pines Stem Academy a charter school?

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

Is Tall Pines Stem Academy a Title I school?

No, Tall Pines Stem Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Tall Pines Stem Academy?

14.4% of students at Tall Pines Stem 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,539/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
382
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
14.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Aiken County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SC Public Charter School District
District Enrollment
18,404
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,863
District Rank
#18 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.

Read our full methodology

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