Below Average
#170 of 192 private schools in SC
The Carolina Academy
School
351 N COUNTRY CLUB RD, Lake City, SC 29560
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on SC statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
363
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
363
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#100 of 116
About The Carolina Academy
The Carolina Academy is a regular public school located in Lake City, Florence, on the scenic North Country Club Road. Spanning from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, The Carolina Academy provides a comprehensive educational experience for its 363 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1. With 25 full-time equivalent teachers, the school aims to offer individualized attention and support.
Although specific test scores are not available, The Carolina Academy is ranked at #182 out of 192 schools in South Carolina, indicating that there may be room for academic growth and development. Despite this ranking, the school focuses on a holistic approach to student learning and development, ensuring that each child receives the necessary tools and guidance to succeed. Set in a rural area near Lake City, The Carolina Academy is nestled within a close-knit community where students can enjoy a peaceful and supportive environment conducive to learning and personal growth.
What Parents Should Know
As a private school, The Carolina Academy 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.
Located in a rural area, The Carolina 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.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $5,284
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $6,145
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.16x — Strong
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 78%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $4.2M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 363 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow The Carolina Academy compares to 5 public schools serving similar grades in Lake City, SC
Student Demographics
Nearby Other Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| The Carolina Academy (this school) | 4.8 |
| Ronald E. McNair Jr. High | 5.1 |
| J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts and Science Magnet | 5.8 |
| Lake City High | 7.7 |
| Lake City Early Childhood Center | 5.7 |
| Main Street Elementary | 3.6 |
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
351 N COUNTRY CLUB RD, Lake City, SC 29560
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The Carolina Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. PURSUIT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (FORMERLY FAITH CHRISTIA (rated 6.1/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Florence), which scores notably higher. Another option is FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 5.0/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Effingham), with a very similar rating. Additionally, WILLIAMSBURG ACADEMY (rated 4.4/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Kingstree), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lake City, see our Lake City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald E. McNair Jr. High Lake City | 1.4 mi | 5.1 |
| J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts and Science Magnet Lake City | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Lake City Early Childhood Center Lake City | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Lake City High Lake City | 1.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Main Street Elementary Lake City | 2.4 mi | 3.6 |
| Scranton Elementary Scranton | 3.4 mi | 6.0 |
| J. C. Lynch Elementary Coward | 6.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Olanta Elementary Olanta | 9.2 mi | 7.6 |
| FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Effingham | 12.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Kenneth Gardner Leadership Academy Kingstree | 13.4 mi | 5.5 |
| KINGSTREE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kingstree | 13.3 mi | — |
| WILLIAMSBURG ACADEMY Kingstree | 13.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Kingstree Middle Magnet Kingstree | 14.3 mi | 4.9 |
| W.M. Anderson Primary Kingstree | 14.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Dewey-Carter Elementary Effingham | 14.5 mi | 7.7 |
| WILLIAMSBURG KINDERGARTEN DAYCARE Kingstree | 14.7 mi | — |
| Kingstree High Kingstree | 15.5 mi | — |
| East Clarendon Middle-High Turbeville | 12.9 mi | — |
| NEW PROSPECT FWB CHURCH & CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pamplico | 13.4 mi | — |
| PURSUIT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (FORMERLY FAITH CHRISTIA Florence | 16.4 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29560 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$45,421
Median Home Value
$108,000
Median Rent
$702/mo
Population
12,284
College Educated
18.7%
Homeownership
57.3%
Avg Commute
26.9 min
Poverty Rate
21.7%
Median Age
44.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding The Carolina Academy has a median household income of $45,421. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $108,000, with a median rent of $702/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| DORCHESTER ACADEMY Saint George, SC | 4.8 |
| CLARENDON HALL SCHOOL Summerton, SC | 4.7 |
| EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hartsville, SC | 4.7 |
| COLLETON PREPARATORY ACADEMY Walterboro, SC | 4.9 |
| HAMPTON PARK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Greenville, SC | 4.9 |
| ANDREW JACKSON ACADEMY Elshardt, SC | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The Carolina Academy
What grades does The Carolina Academy serve?
The Carolina Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend The Carolina Academy?
The Carolina Academy has an enrollment of approximately 363 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Carolina Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at The Carolina Academy is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does The Carolina Academy rank in SC?
The Carolina Academy is ranked #170 out of 192 private schools in SC.
What is The Carolina Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
The Carolina Academy has a composite rating of 4.8 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 The Carolina Academy a private school?
Yes, The Carolina Academy is a private coeducational school with a Baptist affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is The Carolina Academy a religious school?
The Carolina Academy has a Baptist religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (6,586/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lake City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 363
- Gender Split
- 48% M / 52% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Baptist
- School Day
- 6.7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 175 days
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- FLORENCE
- Phone
- (843) 374-5485
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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