Skip to main content

Very Good

#315 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 27% in state

Thornwell Charter School

School · Charter Institute at Erskine

203 West Calhoun Street, Clinton, SC 29325

Charter

Enrollment

371

Student-Teacher

9.5:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 11th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Clinton

#4 of 7

public schools

South Carolina schools

#11 of 31

In district

#3 of 23

Charter Institute at Erskine

Academic growth

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Thornwell Charter School

Thornwell Charter School is a public charter school located in Clinton, South Carolina. Serving students from kindergarten through eleventh grade, the school has an enrollment of 371 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1 with 39 full-time equivalent teachers. Thornwell Charter School stands out for its personalized approach to education, fostering close relationships between teachers and students.

The academic performance at Thornwell Charter School reflects areas where the school is focusing on growth and development. With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9/10 and ranking in the 57th percentile among South Carolina schools, Thornwell has room for improvement but also demonstrates solid foundational support. In ELA/Reading, 47% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 42% meet proficiency standards.

Thornwell Charter School is situated in a friendly town setting, offering its students a close-knit community atmosphere that encourages engagement and collaboration both inside and outside the classroom.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1, Thornwell Charter 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.

Thornwell Charter School 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+10 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendImproving
Academics7.5Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected+11.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile63th
College Readiness7.7Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.2Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$6,927

Thornwell Charter School — Students at Thornwell Charter School score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 42.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 3 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2021*
Math
37%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
47%

* 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: 9.9/10.

How Thornwell Charter School Compares

See how Thornwell Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
73th percentile in SC
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

Location

203 West Calhoun Street, Clinton, SC 29325

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thornwell Charter School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Whitmire Community School (Elementary) (rated 8.4/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Whitmire), which scores notably higher. Another option is M. S. Bailey Child Development Center (rated 7.7/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Clinton Middle (rated 7.5/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Clinton, see our Clinton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Summit Classical School Clinton 0.7 mi 7.1
Clinton Elementary Clinton 0.9 mi 5.0
M. S. Bailey Child Development Center Clinton 1.1 mi 7.7
Clinton Middle Clinton 1.5 mi 7.5
Eastside Elementary Clinton 1.6 mi 7.5
Clinton High Clinton 2.1 mi 6.9
Joanna Woodson Elementary Joanna 5.8 mi 7.2
Ford Elementary Laurens 7.6 mi 6.7
Sanders Middle Laurens 7.3 mi 4.1
E. B. Morse Elementary Laurens 9.1 mi 6.7
Laurens Middle Laurens 9.2 mi 4.7
Laurens Elementary Laurens 9.6 mi 3.9
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Enoree 10.7 mi 4.7
Laurens District 55 High Laurens 10.9 mi 5.1
Waterloo Elementary Waterloo 11.7 mi 4.3
Whitmire Community School (Elementary) Whitmire 14.1 mi 8.4
Whitmire Community School (High) Whitmire 14.1 mi 6.2
Tyger River High Enoree 17.3 mi
Reuben Elementary Newberry 18.3 mi 5.8
Gray Court-Owings Elementary/Middle Gray Court 17.3 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29325 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,209

Median Home Value

$162,900

Median Rent

$864/mo

Population

14,164

College Educated

26.3%

Homeownership

66.8%

Avg Commute

21.7 min

Poverty Rate

20.9%

Median Age

39.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Thornwell Charter School has a median household income of $54,209. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $162,900, with a median rent of $864/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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
BEAUFORT ACADEMY Beaufort, SC 7.4
CHARLESTON COLLEGIATE SCHOOL Johns Island, SC 7.5
HOLLY HILL ACADEMY Holly Hill, SC 7.1
SCDJJ Evaluation and Detention Center Columbia, SC 7.1
FIRST BAPTIST SCHOOL OF CHARLESTON Charleston, SC 7.0
CATHEDRAL ACADEMY North Charleston, SC 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thornwell Charter School

What grades does Thornwell Charter School serve?

Thornwell Charter School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 11th.

How many students attend Thornwell Charter School?

Thornwell Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 371 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thornwell Charter School?

The student-teacher ratio at Thornwell Charter School is 9.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Thornwell Charter School rank in SC?

Thornwell Charter School is ranked #315 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Thornwell Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?

Thornwell Charter School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Thornwell Charter School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thornwell Charter School has 42.0% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Thornwell Charter School a charter school?

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

Is Thornwell Charter School a Title I school?

No, Thornwell Charter School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thornwell Charter School?

100.0% of students at Thornwell Charter School 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
44 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
51 Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,308/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 11th
Enrollment
371
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Laurens County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Charter Institute at Erskine
District Enrollment
25,146
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,062
District Rank
#3 of 23

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

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.