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Very Good

#315 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 27% 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

7.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina schools

#315 of 1,176

In Mt. Pleasant

#9 of 10

public schools

In district

#28 of 79

Charleston 01

Academic performance

8.3 / 10

Excellent

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Thomas C. Cario Middle

7.3/10

Middle School in Mt. Pleasant · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Charles Pinckney Elementary

8.2/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Laurel Hill Primary

8.3/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Thomas C. Cario Middle

Thomas C. Cario Middle is a public middle school in Mt. Pleasant, SC, part of Charleston 01.

Thomas C. Cario Middle serves approximately 1,130 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Thomas C.

Cario Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #315 of 1,176 schools in SC. Structured state assessment records for Thomas C. Cario Middle show 79% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.2 pts above district
  • This school 7.3 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.1
  • SC avg 5.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.74 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.3Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency73% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency77% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency75% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)75% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,635
Chronic Absenteeism19%

Thomas C. Cario Middle — Students at Thomas C. Cario Middle score 75% 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

14.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 79.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 79.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
93%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
89%
ELA
89%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
90%
2012
Math
93%
ELA
92%
2013
Math
94%
ELA
92%
2014
Math
70%
ELA
66%
2015
Math
68%
ELA
77%
2016
Math
70%
ELA
65%
2017
Math
70%
ELA
72%
2018
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2019
Math
75%
ELA
75%
2020*
Math
73%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
73%
ELA
75%
2022
Math
73%
ELA
77%

* 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: 8.0/10.

How Thomas C. Cario Middle Compares

See how Thomas C. Cario Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
73th percentile in SC
Academic
8.3/10
Excellent
Growth
8.0/10
Excellent
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
14%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
62 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
19.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 7.9/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Mount Pleasant), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Philip Simmons Middle (rated 6.1/10, 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 8.2
Laurel Hill Primary Mt. Pleasant 0.3 mi 8.3
Oceanside Collegiate Academy Mount Pleasant 1.3 mi 7.9
Jennie Moore Elementary Mt. Pleasant 1.9 mi 8.2
Carolina Park Elementary Mt. Pleasant 1.7 mi 8.4
Wando High Mount Pleasant 1.7 mi 8.1
Laing Middle Mount Pleasant 2.0 mi 7.9
PALMETTO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mount Pleasant 1.9 mi 6.2
Philip Simmons High Charleston 4.5 mi 7.9
Belle Hall Elementary Mt. Pleasant 4.5 mi 8.5
PALMETTO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mount Pleasant 4.5 mi 4.7
Lucy Garrett Beckham High Mt. Pleasant 5.0 mi 6.8
Philip Simmons Middle Wando 4.8 mi 6.1
Philip Simmons Elementary Wando 4.8 mi 7.5
TRIDENT ACADEMY Mount Pleasant 5.2 mi 6.4
Mamie P. Whitesides Elementary Mt. Pleasant 5.5 mi 8.4
James B. Edwards Elementary Mt. Pleasant 5.7 mi 8.0
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Beechwood Middle Lexington, SC 7.3
Oakridge Middle Clover, SC 7.3
Camp Road Middle Charleston, SC 7.2
Powdersville Middle Greenville, SC 7.2
Riverside Middle Greer, SC 7.2
Moultrie Middle Mount Pleasant, SC 7.4

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 ranks #315 of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Thomas C. Cario Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Thomas C. Cario Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Thomas C. Cario Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thomas C. Cario Middle has 79% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
19.0%

District

Charleston 01
District Enrollment
50,400
Schools in District
82
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,635
District Rank
#28 of 79

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