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
Enrollment
371
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 11th
Enrollment
371
Student-Teacher
9.5:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 11th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Thornwell Charter School — Students at Thornwell Charter School score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 3 test records from SC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.9/10.
How Thornwell Charter School Compares
See how Thornwell Charter School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 37% (2021) to 47% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (864) 808-0801
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyGet 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.