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Buist Academy

Public, Magnet Grades 3-8

2^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 320 South Carolina Middle Schools

Better than 99% of South Carolina middle schools

Summary

Buist Academy is a highly-ranked public magnet middle school in Charleston, South Carolina, serving grades 3-8 with an enrollment of 537 students. This exceptional school consistently ranks among the top middle schools in the state, often placing #1 or #2 out of over 300 schools, and it delivers outstanding academic performance across diverse student populations.

Buist Academy's students demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, with proficiency rates significantly higher than the Charleston 01 district and South Carolina state averages across various subjects and grade levels. The school also excels in serving diverse student populations, ranking highly for female, male, African American, white, and low socioeconomic status students, indicating an equitable and inclusive learning environment. While Buist Academy has experienced an increase in chronic absenteeism in recent years, its rates remain lower than the district and state averages, suggesting strong student engagement and attendance.

Buist Academy's performance outshines that of other nearby magnet schools, such as Haut Gap Middle and Jerry Zucker Middle School of Science, which have lower academic proficiency rates and overall rankings. The school's significant per-student spending of around $28,000, which is much higher than the district and state averages, likely contributes to its exceptional outcomes. With a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 15:1, Buist Academy provides personalized attention and support for its students, making it a model for other schools to emulate.

521

Students ?

14.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$18,527

Per pupil spending ?

21.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

103 Calhoun Street
Charleston, SC 29401

(843) 724-7750

District: Charleston 01

Racial breakdown:

White:

75.8%

African American:

9.6%

Asian:

5.8%

See top rated South Carolina middle schools

Compare Buist Academy to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 99th percentile in 2015 → 99th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the South Carolina average (96% vs 50% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 1% of South Carolina middle schools

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Charleston 01

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school96%

District avg60%

South Carolina avg50%

Elementary school

1^st of 640

South Carolina public elementary schools ?

Top 1%▬ steady since 2015

See the entire ranking list of South Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

2^nd of 320

South Carolina public middle schools ?

Top 1%▬ steady since 2015

See the entire ranking list of South Carolina Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 12Middle Schools in the Charleston 01

23^rd of 75Charleston 01 among South Carolina districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	99.7	1 of 640	99.8%	★★★★★
2024	99.7	1 of 638	99.8%	★★★★★
2023	99.6	1 of 644	99.8%	★★★★★
2022	99.7	1 of 625	99.8%	★★★★★
2021	99.8	1 of 622	99.8%	★★★★★
2019	98.7	1 of 643	99.8%	★★★★★
2018	99.2	1 of 624	99.8%	★★★★★
2017	98.6	1 of 639	99.8%	★★★★★
2016	98.4	1 of 619	99.8%	★★★★★
2015	99.3	1 of 638	99.8%	★★★★★
2014	96.5	1 of 630	99.8%	★★★★★
2013	96.1	1 of 599	99.8%	★★★★★
2012	95.2	1 of 594	99.8%	★★★★★
2011	95.7	1 of 597	99.8%	★★★★★
2010	96.6	2 of 589	99.7%	★★★★★
2009	96.5	2 of 580	99.7%	★★★★★
2008	95.7	2 of 577	99.7%	★★★★★
2007	96.3	1 of 566	99.8%	★★★★★
2006	96.4	1 of 559	99.8%	★★★★★
2005	96.2	1 of 557	99.8%	★★★★★
2004	96.7	1 of 550	99.8%	★★★★★
2003	97.1	1 of 542	99.8%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2021	100.0	1 of 350	99.7%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2024	99.6	1 of 565	99.8%	★★★★★
2023	99.3	1 of 580	99.8%	★★★★★
2022	99.5	1 of 573	99.8%	★★★★★
2021	99.4	1 of 554	99.8%	★★★★★
2019	98.3	1 of 588	99.8%	★★★★★
2018	98.6	1 of 570	99.8%	★★★★★

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2023	72.8	12 of 105	88.6%	★★★★☆
2022	69.5	35 of 109	67.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	80.4	2 of 147	98.6%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2022	100.0	1 of 600	99.8%	★★★★★
2021	100.0	1 of 580	99.8%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	99.2	1 of 586	99.8%	★★★★★
2024	99.5	1 of 568	99.8%	★★★★★
2023	99.6	1 of 582	99.8%	★★★★★
2022	99.7	1 of 579	99.8%	★★★★★
2021	99.8	1 of 561	99.8%	★★★★★
2019	97.3	1 of 590	99.8%	★★★★★
2018	99.0	1 of 571	99.8%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	98.3	2 of 460	99.6%	★★★★★
2023	98.2	1 of 463	99.8%	★★★★★
2022	98.9	1 of 455	99.8%	★★★★★
2021	99.2	1 of 439	99.8%	★★★★★
2019	96.9	2 of 472	99.6%	★★★★★
2018	97.4	2 of 457	99.6%	★★★★★

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	99.8	2 of 320	99.4%	★★★★★
2024	99.8	1 of 325	99.7%	★★★★★
2023	99.8	1 of 325	99.7%	★★★★★
2022	99.8	1 of 310	99.7%	★★★★★
2021	99.9	1 of 311	99.7%	★★★★★
2019	99.6	1 of 315	99.7%	★★★★★
2018	99.7	2 of 303	99.3%	★★★★★
2017	99.3	1 of 317	99.7%	★★★★★
2016	98.6	1 of 303	99.7%	★★★★★
2015	99.8	2 of 301	99.3%	★★★★★
2014	97.9	2 of 291	99.3%	★★★★★
2013	97.3	2 of 276	99.3%	★★★★★
2012	97.5	2 of 271	99.3%	★★★★★
2011	98.0	2 of 269	99.3%	★★★★★
2010	98.8	1 of 261	99.6%	★★★★★
2009	98.4	2 of 249	99.2%	★★★★★
2008	98.1	1 of 244	99.6%	★★★★★
2007	98.3	1 of 236	99.6%	★★★★★
2006	98.6	1 of 231	99.6%	★★★★★
2005	98.7	1 of 230	99.6%	★★★★★
2004	99.0	1 of 230	99.6%	★★★★★
2003	99.2	1 of 225	99.6%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2021	100.0	1 of 235	99.6%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2024	99.6	1 of 294	99.7%	★★★★★
2023	99.6	1 of 299	99.7%	★★★★★
2022	99.6	1 of 290	99.7%	★★★★★
2021	99.9	1 of 279	99.6%	★★★★★
2019	99.4	1 of 296	99.7%	★★★★★
2018	99.5	1 of 281	99.6%	★★★★★

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	77.0	19 of 173	89.0%	★★★★☆
2024	74.6	36 of 183	80.3%	★★★★☆
2023	77.2	20 of 185	89.2%	★★★★☆
2022	75.4	29 of 182	84.1%	★★★★☆
2021	90.0	1 of 179	99.4%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	100.0	1 of 307	99.7%	★★★★★
2024	100.0	1 of 307	99.7%	★★★★★
2023	100.0	1 of 313	99.7%	★★★★★
2022	100.0	1 of 300	99.7%	★★★★★
2021	100.0	1 of 288	99.7%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	99.8	2 of 296	99.3%	★★★★★
2024	99.9	1 of 294	99.7%	★★★★★
2023	99.8	1 of 303	99.7%	★★★★★
2022	99.9	1 of 292	99.7%	★★★★★
2021	99.9	1 of 279	99.6%	★★★★★
2019	99.4	2 of 296	99.3%	★★★★★
2018	99.7	2 of 284	99.3%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2025	99.3	2 of 257	99.2%	★★★★★
2024	99.2	1 of 255	99.6%	★★★★★
2023	99.1	1 of 260	99.6%	★★★★★
2022	99.1	1 of 249	99.6%	★★★★★
2021	99.4	1 of 244	99.6%	★★★★★
2019	98.5	2 of 258	99.2%	★★★★★
2018	99.0	2 of 250	99.2%	★★★★★

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Low Socio Economic Status (2022)100th percentile~ school

Male (2025)100th percentile~ school

Female (2024)100th percentile~ school

African American (2021)100th percentile~ school

White (2025)100th percentile~ school

Gifted and Talented (2023)89th percentile-11 vs school

Middle school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)100th percentile~ school

Female (2024)100th percentile~ school

African American (2021)100th percentile~ school

Male (2025)99th percentile~ school

White (2025)99th percentile~ school

Gifted and Talented (2025)89th percentile-10 vs school

By subject vs South Carolina (2024-2025) ?

Algebra 1/Mathematics for the Technologies 2100%+26 vs state

Science99%+51 vs state

English Language Arts98%+41 vs state

Mathematics93%+50 vs state

4.5

4 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★3

4★0

3★1

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a principal
Monday, November 21, 2016

It is truly an honor to be the Nutrition Services Manager at Buist Academy. Such a great group of children and truly dedicated Administrators and Teachers. The parent participation in the daily activities and special events is truly heart warming. Such a very special school! So proud to be part of the NUMBER ONE SCHOOL in South Carolina! Close Quote

by a citizen
Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Buist Academy is the best school for children, parents and teachers! Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, May 27, 2011

This school used to be the shining star of the Charleston County School District, but in recent years it has lost some of its best teachers. It also has lost some of the ethnic diversity that it once had. It's a shame. Close Quote

Schools Near Buist Academy

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				SC READY English Language Arts (2025)				SC READY Mathematics (2025)						SC READY Science (2025)	EOCEP Algebra 1/Mathematics for the Technologies 2 (2025)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	SC READY English Language Arts 5th Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 6th Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 7th Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 8th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 3rd Grade	SC READY Mathematics 4th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 5th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 6th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 7th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 8th Grade	SC READY Science 6th Grade	EOCEP Algebra 1/Mathematics for the Technologies 2 End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures: Total	Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Non-Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Personnel Spending from State and Local Funds	Non-Personnel from State and Local Funds	Sub-total Spending from State and Local Funds
Buist Academy	Public, Magnet	3-8	103 Calhoun Street	Charleston	29401	Charleston County	Charleston 01	No	Yes	No	No	(843) 724-7750	521	37	14.0		395 (75.8%)	50 (9.6%)	24 (4.6%)	30 (5.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	21 (4.0%)	99.8	2^nd of 320 public middle schools	99.4%		99.8	1^st of 325 public middle schools	99.7%	1			97.9	97.8	98.7	98.7		94.9	93.6	81.3	99.0	100.0	$18,527	$3,273	$1,393	$4,665	$10,917	$2,944	$13,862
Simmons Pinckney Middle	Public	6-8	244 President Street	Charleston	29403	Charleston County	Charleston 01	No	No	No	Yes	(843) 724-7789	190	25	7.6		2 (1.1%)	177 (93.2%)	5 (2.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (3.2%)	6.3	317^th of 320 public middle schools	0.9%		6.7	322^nd of 325 public middle schools	0.9%	5		23.2	30.2	30.4				8.7	6.8	5.4	18.8	100.0	$36,562	$4,770	$1,679	$6,450	$23,471	$6,641	$30,112
Moultrie Middle	Public	6-8	645 Coleman Boulevard	Mount Pleasant	29464	Charleston County	Charleston 01	No	No	No	No	(843) 849-2819	1,130	65	17.4		969 (85.8%)	67 (5.9%)	50 (4.4%)	23 (2.0%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (1.7%)	97.5	8^th of 320 public middle schools	97.5%		98.8	4^th of 325 public middle schools	98.8%	4		85.3	87.6	85.3				76.1	71.6	70.4	72.9	99.3	$16,249	$2,911	$1,141	$4,052	$9,964	$2,233	$12,196
Camp Road Middle	Public	6-8	1825 Camp Road	Charleston	29412	Charleston County	Charleston 01	No	No	No	No	(843) 762-2784	901	53	16.9		681 (75.6%)	146 (16.2%)	27 (3.0%)	9 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)	36 (4.0%)	89.6	30^th of 320 public middle schools	90.6%		86.6	43^rd of 325 public middle schools	86.8%	13		77.6	78.1	71.6				58.7	59.5	45.2	72.3	100.0	$17,753	$3,505	$1,295	$4,799	$9,968	$2,986	$12,954
Morningside Middle	Public	6-8	1999 Singley Lane	North Charleston	29405	Charleston County	Charleston 01	No	No	No	Yes	(843) 745-2000	552	50	11.1		24 (4.3%)	267 (48.4%)	242 (43.8%)	4 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	13 (2.4%)	6.9	313^th of 320 public middle schools	2.2%		7.6	320^th of 325 public middle schools	1.5%	7		24.1	21.5	26.2				10.9	6.0	11.8	20.1	83.3	$22,401	$5,771	$1,776	$7,548	$11,269	$3,584	$14,853
C. E. Williams Middle School for Creative and Scientific Art	Public, Magnet	6-8	3090 Sanders Road	Charleston	29414	Charleston County	Charleston 01	No	Yes	No	Yes	(843) 763-1529	1,299	95	13.7		552 (42.5%)	478 (36.8%)	142 (10.9%)	31 (2.4%)	1 (0.1%)	5 (0.4%)	90 (6.9%)	51.7	136^th of 320 public middle schools	57.5%		51.2	147^th of 325 public middle schools	54.8%	11		59.1	54.8	51.2				33.3	30.3	33.0	52.3	97.1	$29,210	$3,736	$1,839	$5,574	$18,192	$5,444	$23,636
Laing Middle	Public, Magnet	6-8	2705 Bulrush Basket Lane	Mount Pleasant	29466	Charleston County	Charleston 01	No	Yes	No	No	(843) 849-2809	986	61	16.2		786 (79.7%)	113 (11.5%)	40 (4.1%)	20 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)	25 (2.5%)	96.4	16^th of 320 public middle schools	95.0%		98.2	7^th of 325 public middle schools	97.8%	9		79.3	83.5	83.8				71.4	74.0	64.7	71.7	100.0	$17,706	$3,232	$1,388	$4,619	$10,596	$2,491	$13,087
Haut Gap Middle	Public, Magnet	6-8	1861 Bohicket Road	Johns Island	29449	Charleston County	Charleston 01	No	Yes	No	Yes	(843) 559-6418	412	33	12.4		166 (40.3%)	107 (26.0%)	114 (27.7%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (5.6%)	62.7	105^th of 320 public middle schools	67.2%		58.8	116^th of 325 public middle schools	64.3%	11		61.2	59.2	55.4				38.0	43.3	43.9	47.3	100.0	$22,721	$4,076	$1,699	$5,774	$12,734	$4,212	$16,946
Philip Simmons Middle	Public	5-8	2065 Seven Sticks Drive	Wando	29492	Berkeley County	Berkeley 01	No	No	No	No	(843) 471-2590	473	32	15.0		281 (59.4%)	115 (24.3%)	33 (7.0%)	2 (0.4%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	39 (8.2%)	64.8	100^th of 320 public middle schools	68.8%		63.1	107^th of 325 public middle schools	67.1%	7	73.4	68.2	66.2	65.2			55.9	31.8	37.4	29.6	54.0	100.0	$13,927	$538	$879	$1,417	$10,720	$1,791	$12,510
Jerry Zucker Middle School of Science	Public, Magnet	6-8	6401 Dorchester Road	North Charleston	29418	Charleston County	Charleston 01	No	Yes	No	Yes	(843) 767-8383	513	58	8.8		31 (6.0%)	215 (41.9%)	247 (48.1%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (3.3%)	15.2	278^th of 320 public middle schools	13.1%		17.6	273^rd of 325 public middle schools	16.0%	5		30.5	39.0	33.5				17.1	17.5	16.4	28.7		$21,951	$4,384	$1,544	$5,928	$12,628	$3,395	$16,023

Frequently Asked Questions about Buist Academy

What is the racial makeup of Buist Academy?

Students at Buist Academy are 76% White, 10% African American, 6% Asian, 5% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races.

What district is Buist Academy in?

Charleston 01

Is Buist Academy a good school?

Yes! Buist Academy is one of the best middle schools in the state. It ranks 2^nd of 320 South Carolina middle schools.

How many students attend Buist Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 521 students attended Buist Academy.

Rate Buist Academy!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the South Carolina Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.