Average
#414 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 35% in state
Thomas C. Cario Middle
Middle School · Charleston 01
3500 Thomas Cario Boulevard, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466
Enrollment
1,130
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,130
Student-Teacher
18.2:1
Score
6.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mt. Pleasant
#9 of 10
public schools
South Carolina middle schools
#36 of 249
In district
#48 of 79
Charleston 01
Academic performance
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Thomas C. Cario Middle
Thomas C. Cario Middle serves 1,130 students in grades 6-8 in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, establishing itself as a strong academic performer in Charleston County.
With a student-teacher ratio of 18.2:1 and 62 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides solid educational support for its middle school population. The school demonstrates impressive academic achievement, earning a 7.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #234 out of 1,192 schools statewide, placing it in the 80th percentile. Students show strong performance across core subjects, with 77% achieving proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 73% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics.
These results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence during the crucial middle school years. Thomas C. Cario Middle sits in an affluent suburban community where 61% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $121,840.
The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 4.3% and median home values of $597,800 indicate a well-established, education-focused community. Located on Thomas Cario Boulevard in this large suburban setting, the school serves families in one of South Carolina's most desirable residential areas, where educational achievement and community support go hand in hand.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Thomas C. Cario Middle — Students at Thomas C. Cario Middle score 75% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 75%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
14.2%
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: 7.4/10.
How Thomas C. Cario Middle Compares
See how Thomas C. Cario Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 75% (2019) to 73% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 75% (2019) to 77% (2022).
Location
3500 Thomas Cario Boulevard, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29466
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thomas C. Cario Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Laing Middle (rated 7.2/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Mount Pleasant), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Philip Simmons Middle (rated 5.0/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Wando), a more accessible option. For more schools in Mt. Pleasant, see our Mt. Pleasant schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Charles Pinckney Elementary Mt. Pleasant | 0.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Laurel Hill Primary Mt. Pleasant | 0.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Oceanside Collegiate Academy Mount Pleasant | 1.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Jennie Moore Elementary Mt. Pleasant | 1.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Carolina Park Elementary Mt. Pleasant | 1.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Wando High Mount Pleasant | 1.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Laing Middle Mount Pleasant | 2.0 mi | 7.2 |
| PALMETTO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mount Pleasant | 1.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Philip Simmons High Charleston | 4.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Belle Hall Elementary Mt. Pleasant | 4.5 mi | 8.0 |
| PALMETTO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mount Pleasant | 4.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Lucy Garrett Beckham High Mt. Pleasant | 5.0 mi | 8.5 |
| Philip Simmons Middle Wando | 4.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Philip Simmons Elementary Wando | 4.8 mi | 5.4 |
| TRIDENT ACADEMY Mount Pleasant | 5.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Mamie P. Whitesides Elementary Mt. Pleasant | 5.5 mi | 8.3 |
| James B. Edwards Elementary Mt. Pleasant | 5.7 mi | 8.3 |
| East Cooper Montessori Charter Mt. Pleasant | 6.8 mi | 8.5 |
| CHRIST OUR KING-STELLA MANS SCHOOL Mount Pleasant | 7.2 mi | 5.7 |
| O'QUINN SCHOOLS OF PORTER-GAUD - MOUNT PLEASANT Mount Pleasant | 7.1 mi | 5.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29466 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$130,546
Median Home Value
$659,300
Median Rent
$2,175/mo
Population
44,387
College Educated
62.3%
Homeownership
83.9%
Avg Commute
29 min
Poverty Rate
4%
Median Age
43.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thomas C. Cario Middle has a median household income of $130,546. It is a well-educated community where 62% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $659,300, with a median rent of $2,175/month. The local poverty rate of 4.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| Dent Middle Columbia, SC | 6.9 |
| Hand Middle Columbia, SC | 6.9 |
| Hillcrest Middle Simpsonville, SC | 7.0 |
| League Academy Greenville, SC | 7.0 |
| Woodmont Middle Piedmont, SC | 7.0 |
| Darlington Middle Darlington, SC | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thomas C. Cario Middle
What grades does Thomas C. Cario Middle serve?
Thomas C. Cario Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Thomas C. Cario Middle?
Thomas C. Cario Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,130 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas C. Cario Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Thomas C. Cario Middle is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thomas C. Cario Middle rank in SC?
Thomas C. Cario Middle is ranked #414 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Thomas C. Cario Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Thomas C. Cario Middle has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Thomas C. Cario Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thomas C. Cario Middle has 73.7% math proficiency and 75.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thomas C. Cario Middle a charter school?
No, Thomas C. Cario Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thomas C. Cario Middle a Title I school?
No, Thomas C. Cario Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thomas C. Cario Middle?
14.2% of students at Thomas C. Cario Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,130
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 62
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 14.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Charleston County
- Phone
- (843) 856-4595
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Charleston 01- District Enrollment
- 50,400
- Schools in District
- 82
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,635
- District Rank
- #48 of 79
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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