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Very Good

#193 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 16% in state

Youth Leadership Academy

Middle School · SC Public Charter School District

698 Concord Church Road, Pickens, SC 29671

Charter

Enrollment

288

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

7.8

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina schools

#193 of 1,176

In Pickens

#1 of 6

public schools

In district

#15 of 33

SC Public Charter School District

School environment

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Youth Leadership Academy

7.8/10

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

Pickens High

6.4/10

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

Lakeview Christian School

4.3/10

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

About Youth Leadership Academy

Youth Leadership Academy is a public middle school in Pickens, SC, part of SC Public Charter School District. Youth Leadership Academy serves approximately 288 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Youth Leadership Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #193 of 1,176 schools in SC.

Structured state assessment records for Youth Leadership Academy show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022).

How it compares0.9 pts above district
  • This school 7.8 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.9
  • SC avg 5.3

What Parents Should Know

Youth Leadership Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Youth Leadership Academy sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data11
Annual Change-2.74 pts/yr
Data Period2012–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency71% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency63% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)74% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-11.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile56th
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,863
Chronic Absenteeism7.3%

Youth Leadership Academy — Students at Youth Leadership Academy score 63% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 74%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

17%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 64.8% (multi-year average, 2012-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 68.1% (multi-year average, 2012-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 22 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2012
Math
84.5%
ELA
95%
2013
Math
97.5%
ELA
97.5%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
55%
ELA
71%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Youth Leadership Academy Compares

See how Youth Leadership Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
84th percentile in SC
Academic
7.0/10
Very Good
Growth
7.3/10
Very Good
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
17%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
7.3%

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

698 Concord Church Road, Pickens, SC 29671

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Youth Leadership Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. R. C. Edwards Middle (rated 6.0/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Central), a more accessible option. Another option is Richard H. Gettys Middle (rated 5.2/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Easley), a more accessible option. Additionally, Pickens Middle (rated 4.8/10, 3.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Pickens, see our Pickens schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Pickens High Pickens 3.0 mi 6.4
LAKEVIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pickens 3.2 mi 4.3
Pickens Middle Pickens 3.3 mi 4.8
Hagood Elementary Pickens 3.4 mi 6.0
Pickens Elementary Pickens 3.5 mi 6.0
Six Mile Elementary Six Mile 5.1 mi 5.4
SOARING EAGLES CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Pickens 5.4 mi
Liberty Middle Liberty 7.1 mi 4.4
Liberty Elementary Liberty 7.2 mi 5.3
Ambler Elementary Pickens 7.5 mi 6.5
Liberty High Liberty 8.7 mi 7.2
Liberty Primary Liberty 9.7 mi 4.4
Central Academy of the Arts Central 10.1 mi 5.7
McKissick Academy of Science and Technology Easley 8.9 mi 6.6
D. W. Daniel High Central 10.8 mi 7.6
R. C. Edwards Middle Central 11.0 mi 6.0
Richard H. Gettys Middle Easley 9.8 mi 5.2
East End Elementary Easley 10.1 mi 6.6
West End Elementary Easley 10.4 mi 5.7
Lakes and Bridges Charter School Easley 11.2 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29671 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,429

Median Home Value

$202,100

Median Rent

$917/mo

Population

19,210

College Educated

16.8%

Homeownership

83.4%

Avg Commute

32.2 min

Poverty Rate

12%

Median Age

41.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CAMPERDOWN ACADEMY Greenville, SC 7.8
Bamberg-Ehrhardt Middle Bamberg, SC 7.9
Tall Pines STEM Academy Aiken, SC 8.0
Hampton Elementary Hampton, SC 7.1
Marrington Middle School of the Arts Goose Creek, SC 7.0
Southwood Academy for the Arts Anderson, SC 8.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Youth Leadership Academy

What grades does Youth Leadership Academy serve?

Youth Leadership Academy serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Youth Leadership Academy?

Youth Leadership Academy has an enrollment of approximately 288 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Youth Leadership Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Youth Leadership Academy is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Youth Leadership Academy rank in SC?

Youth Leadership Academy ranks #193 of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Youth Leadership Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Youth Leadership Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 Youth Leadership Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Youth Leadership Academy has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022).

Is Youth Leadership Academy a charter school?

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

Is Youth Leadership Academy a Title I school?

No, Youth Leadership Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Youth Leadership Academy?

17.0% of students at Youth Leadership Academy 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
3 Car-Dependent

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
288
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
17.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Pickens County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
7.3%

District

SC Public Charter School District
District Enrollment
18,404
Schools in District
39
Per-Pupil Spending
$23,863
District Rank
#15 of 33

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