Charleston School of the Arts

Summary:

Charleston School of the Arts is a highly-ranked public high school serving grades 6-12 in North Charleston, South Carolina, part of the Charleston 01 school district. With a diverse student population, the school consistently ranks among the top high schools in the state, delivering exceptional academic performance and test scores that significantly outpace district and state averages.

Charleston School of the Arts excels in serving various student subgroups, ranking highly for female, male, African American, Hispanic, and low-socioeconomic status students. However, its gifted and talented program is relatively weaker, ranking 98th out of 157 schools in the state for this subgroup. The school's higher spending per student ($16,269 in 2022-2023) compared to the state and district averages may contribute to its outstanding academic outcomes.

Compared to nearby schools like Military Magnet Academy, Greg Mathis Charter High, and North Charleston High, Charleston School of the Arts stands out as a high-performing institution, with significantly higher test scores and rankings. This consistent excellence has earned the school a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger, making it a standout choice for families in the Charleston area.


Detail:

Public, Magnet 6-12

 5109-B West Enterprise Street
       North Charleston, SC  29405


(843) 529-4990

District: Charleston 01

SchoolDigger Rank:
9th of 235 South Carolina High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,269 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  14.8 Help
Number of students:  1,061

Racial breakdown:

White:
68.9%
African American:
13.9%
Hispanic:
7.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  22.2% Help


 See top rated South Carolina high schools

 Compare Charleston School of the Arts to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Charleston School of the Arts ranks better than 99.4% of middle schools in South Carolina. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 99.6. (See more...)
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Compare Details Charleston School of the Arts ranks better than 96.2% of high schools in South Carolina. It also ranks 2nd among 15 ranked high schools in the Charleston 01 School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 91.86. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (68.9%), African American (13.9%), Hispanic (7.7%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 22.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Charleston School of the Arts is 14.8. 11 high schools in the Charleston 01 School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare Charleston School of the Arts employs 71.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Charleston School of the Arts is $16,269, which is the 9th highest among 15 high schools in the Charleston 01 School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Charleston School of the Arts:

SchoolDigger ranks Charleston School of the Arts 2nd of 325 South Carolina public middle schools. (See Charleston School of the Arts in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Male students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Charleston School of the Arts 9th of 235 South Carolina public high schools. (See Charleston School of the Arts in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Gifted and Talented students:
Male students:
African American students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Charleston 01:

SchoolDigger ranks Charleston 01 24th of 75 South Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Charleston School of the Arts?

Rank History for Charleston School of the Arts

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Rank History for all middle school students at Charleston School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 96.76 3rd 225 98.7%
2004 96.57 3rd 230 98.7%
2005 97.06 3rd 230 98.7%
2006 97.37 3rd 231 98.7%
2007 97.28 2nd 236 99.2%
2008 96.82 3rd 244 98.8%
2009 97.78 3rd 249 98.8%
2010 97.58 3rd 261 98.9%
2011 97.37 3rd 269 98.9%
2012 96.42 4th 271 98.5%
2013 96.73 4th 276 98.6%
2014 96.25 6th 291 97.9%
2015 98.08 6th 301 98.0%
2016 97.94 4th 303 98.7%
2017 98.54 4th 317 98.7%
2018 99.18 4th 303 98.7%
2019 98.77 4th 315 98.7%
2021 98.70 6th 311 98.1%
2022 99.09 4th 310 98.7%
2023 99.06 3rd 325 99.1%
2024 99.60 2nd 325 99.4%
See the entire list of South Carolina High School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Charleston School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 99.62 3rd 280 98.9%
2019 99.38 4th 289 98.6%
2021 99.27 4th 288 98.6%
2022 99.54 4th 300 98.7%
2023 93.08 14th 313 95.5%
2024 99.72 2nd 307 99.3%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Charleston School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 99.20 2nd 281 99.3%
2019 98.60 3rd 296 99.0%
2021 98.37 4th 279 98.6%
2022 98.78 4th 290 98.6%
2023 98.42 4th 299 98.7%
2024 99.11 3rd 294 99.0%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Gifted and Talented students at Charleston School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 36.45 138th 179 22.9%
2022 39.33 140th 182 23.1%
2023 41.75 132nd 185 28.6%
2024 57.92 102nd 183 44.3%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina High Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Charleston School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 98.31 8th 284 97.2%
2019 98.54 7th 296 97.6%
2021 98.25 8th 279 97.1%
2022 98.89 4th 292 98.6%
2023 99.30 2nd 303 99.3%
2024 99.79 2nd 294 99.3%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school African American students at Charleston School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 99.70 2nd 252 99.2%
2021 93.59 10th 235 95.7%
2023 94.21 6th 253 97.6%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Charleston School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 97.67 5th 250 98.0%
2019 97.04 4th 258 98.4%
2021 97.66 2nd 244 99.2%
2022 97.98 3rd 249 98.8%
2023 97.72 2nd 260 99.2%
2024 98.70 2nd 255 99.2%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: South Carolina Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Charleston School of the Arts

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Compare

Rank History for all high school students at Charleston School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 89.39 1st 187 99.5%
2006 85.79 4th 191 97.9%
2007 85.45 4th 191 97.9%
2010 98.46 4th 199 98.0%
2011 99.49 2nd 199 99.0%
2012 98.89 3rd 202 98.5%
2013 98.81 4th 203 98.0%
2014 99.24 1st 210 99.5%
2015 92.44 5th 232 97.8%
2016 93.13 4th 231 98.3%
2017 87.77 4th 223 98.2%
2018 88.45 3rd 216 98.6%
2019 87.96 5th 225 97.8%
2021 93.67 5th 227 97.8%
2022 90.49 9th 226 96.0%
2023 91.72 9th 237 96.2%
2024 91.86 9th 235 96.2%
See the entire list of South Carolina High School Rankings!

Rank History for high school Low Socio Economic Status students at Charleston School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 94.09 3rd 214 98.6%
2019 90.50 4th 217 98.2%
2021 97.85 4th 213 98.1%
2022 89.81 10th 220 95.5%
2023 94.45 7th 226 96.9%
2024 93.70 5th 229 97.8%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for high school Female students at Charleston School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 88.08 3rd 210 98.6%
2019 89.40 5th 213 97.7%
2021 91.78 6th 213 97.2%
2022 88.47 12th 220 94.5%
2023 90.24 10th 223 95.5%
2024 91.56 6th 225 97.3%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for high school Gifted and Talented students at Charleston School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 47.14 107th 156 31.4%
2024 54.83 98th 157 37.6%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina High Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for high school Male students at Charleston School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 90.42 4th 213 98.1%
2019 87.90 6th 218 97.2%
2021 94.80 6th 215 97.2%
2022 91.65 10th 224 95.5%
2023 93.32 11th 229 95.2%
2024 91.80 10th 228 95.6%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for high school African American students at Charleston School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 98.37 2nd 183 98.9%
2019 94.71 2nd 184 98.9%
2021 98.08 1st 178 99.4%
2022 94.53 5th 190 97.4%
2023 93.97 7th 199 96.5%
2024 96.60 3rd 194 98.5%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for high school Hispanic students at Charleston School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 94.47 4th 121 96.7%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for high school White students at Charleston School of the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 85.50 4th 185 97.8%
2019 87.56 4th 191 97.9%
2021 92.33 6th 189 96.8%
2022 88.63 10th 192 94.8%
2023 90.37 7th 197 96.4%
2024 90.01 6th 196 96.9%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: South Carolina Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Charleston School of the Arts Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: South Carolina State Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

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by a parent
Thursday, October 11, 2012

Open Quote The best private schools out there pale in comparison to this exceptional example of academic excellence supported through an intense program of the arts. No place will you find a more talented cadre of young people in place filled with positive growth opportunities, a highly dedicated staff who focuses on the success of each student and an administration able to connect with parents in a mutually cooperative and useful way. Given the popular notion of the demise of the public schools, SOA stands as a shining example of how a well managed school, with a common focus and understood purpose, can be highly successful. If you have the opportunity to have your child selected to attend, grab the chance! There is a real reason that so many students dream of being accepted. This is an amazing school. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Charleston School of the Arts

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1995 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 200 200
1996 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 200 200
1997 236 79 5 3 0 n/a n/a 0 323
1998 349 99 4 3 1 n/a n/a 0 456
1999 343 112 8 2 1 n/a n/a 89 555
2000 509 143 17 5 1 n/a n/a 0 675
2001 564 173 15 13 0 n/a n/a 0 765
2002 566 190 23 21 1 n/a n/a 0 801
2003 566 190 23 21 1 n/a n/a 0 801
2004 578 196 27 25 0 n/a n/a 3 829
2005 605 198 34 27 2 n/a n/a 1 867
2006 647 208 35 31 2 n/a n/a 1 924
2007 698 219 33 30 2 n/a n/a 0 982
2008 728 217 27 25 3 n/a n/a 3 1003
2009 752 198 25 31 0 n/a n/a 3 1009
2010 772 192 28 30 0 n/a n/a 1 1023
2011 820 157 25 34 0 2 15 0 1053
2012 837 146 28 34 0 3 12 0 1060
2013 840 152 36 27 0 5 20 0 1080
2014 841 145 39 32 3 4 26 0 1090
2015 846 147 47 37 2 3 38 0 1120
2016 849 133 53 34 2 0 38 0 1109
2017 833 145 58 29 3 0 44 0 1112
2018 813 142 59 43 2 0 54 0 1113
2019 793 152 59 52 3 1 52 0 1112
2020 797 147 52 59 3 2 57 0 1117
2021 780 152 56 65 1 2 64 0 1120
2022 740 159 54 73 3 2 55 0 1086
2023 731 148 50 82 2 2 46 0 1061

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Charleston School of the Arts

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1995 200 13.0 15.4 10.5
1996 200 13.0 15.4 10.5
1997 323 18.0 17.9 6.5
1998 456 32.0 14.3 15.1
1999 555 37.0 15.0 13.5
2000 675 44.5 15.2 9.9
2001 765 55.9 13.7 12.3
2002 801 60.5 13.2 16.2
2003 801 60.5 13.2 16.2
2004 829 59.0 14.1 16.9
2005 867 63.0 13.8 16.4
2006 924 63.0 14.7 13.9
2007 982 75.4 13.0 13.3
2008 1003 65.1 15.4 12.4
2009 1009 67.7 14.9 10.3
2010 1023 67.3 15.2 13.9
2011 1053 67.7 15.5 11.6
2012 1060 68.1 15.5 11.6
2013 1080 71.3 15.1 11.3
2014 1090 69.7 15.6 11.7
2015 1120 74.0 15.1 11.1
2016 1109 70.0 15.8 9.6
2017 1112 71.0 15.6 11.2
2018 1113 70.6 15.7 10.6
2019 1112 74.4 14.9 12.2
2020 1117 74.1 15.0 10.7
2021 1120 73.9 15.1 8.6
2022 1086 77.0 14.1 8.5
2023 1061 71.5 14.8 22.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Charleston School of the Arts

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1995 200 13.0 15.4 10.5
1996 200 13.0 15.4 10.5
1997 323 18.0 17.9 6.5
1998 456 32.0 14.3 15.1
1999 555 37.0 15.0 13.5
2000 675 44.5 15.2 9.9
2001 765 55.9 13.7 12.3
2002 801 60.5 13.2 16.2
2003 801 60.5 13.2 16.2
2004 829 59.0 14.1 16.9
2005 867 63.0 13.8 16.4
2006 924 63.0 14.7 13.9
2007 982 75.4 13.0 13.3
2008 1003 65.1 15.4 12.4
2009 1009 67.7 14.9 10.3
2010 1023 67.3 15.2 13.9
2011 1053 67.7 15.5 11.6
2012 1060 68.1 15.5 11.6
2013 1080 71.3 15.1 11.3
2014 1090 69.7 15.6 11.7
2015 1120 74.0 15.1 11.1
2016 1109 70.0 15.8 9.6
2017 1112 71.0 15.6 11.2
2018 1113 70.6 15.7 10.6
2019 1112 74.4 14.9 12.2
2020 1117 74.1 15.0 10.7
2021 1120 73.9 15.1 8.6
2022 1086 77.0 14.1 8.5
2023 1061 71.5 14.8 22.2

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Charleston School of the Arts

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YearPersonnel Expenditures from Federal FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from Federal FundsTotal Expenditures from Federal FundsPersonnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $485 (4.3%) $493 (4.4%) $979 (8.7%) $7,723 (68.6%) $2,554 (22.7%) $10,277 (91.3%) $11,255
2020 $476 (4.0%) $501 (4.2%) $977 (8.3%) $8,234 (69.8%) $2,594 (22.0%) $10,827 (91.7%) $11,804
2021 $503 (4.2%) $570 (4.8%) $1,073 (9.0%) $8,568 (72.1%) $2,235 (18.8%) $10,802 (91.0%) $11,876
2022 $575 (4.1%) $829 (5.9%) $1,404 (9.9%) $9,725 (68.7%) $3,018 (21.3%) $12,743 (90.1%) $14,147
2023 $1,091 (6.7%) $976 (6.0%) $2,067 (12.7%) $10,639 (65.4%) $3,563 (21.9%) $14,202 (87.3%) $16,269

Data source: South Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Charleston School of the Arts

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 4th of 315 Middle schoolsRanks 3rd of 325 Middle schools
 0.3%
Ranks 5th of 225 High schoolsRanks 9th of 237 High schools
 1.6%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade Science (Charleston School of the Arts)79.683.6
 4%
   6th Grade Science (Charleston 01)49.452.9
 3.5%
   6th Grade Science (South Carolina)47.143
 4.1%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Charleston School of the Arts)84.190.5
 6.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Charleston 01)47.662.6
 15%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)41.153.4
 12.3%
6th Grade Mathematics (Charleston School of the Arts)80.276.1
 4.1%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Charleston 01)4848.4
 0.4%
   6th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)43.936.7
 7.2%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Charleston School of the Arts)87.386.9
 0.4%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Charleston 01)51.258.3
 7.1%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)4450.1
 6.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Charleston School of the Arts)84.981.3
 3.6%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Charleston 01)43.443.6
 0.2%
   7th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)35.331
 4.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Charleston School of the Arts)87.287.8
 0.6%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Charleston 01)5058.6
 8.6%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)44.553.1
 8.6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Charleston School of the Arts)81.868.6
 13.2%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Charleston 01)4240.2
 1.8%
   8th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)36.631.6
 5%
End of Course Algebra 1/Mathematics for the Technologies 2 (Charleston School of the Arts)95.297.8
 2.6%
   End of Course Algebra 1/Mathematics for the Technologies 2 (Charleston 01)75.777.4
 1.7%
   End of Course Algebra 1/Mathematics for the Technologies 2 (South Carolina)68.668.3
 0.3%
End of Course Biology 1/Applied Biology 2 (Charleston School of the Arts)92.994.7
 1.8%
   End of Course Biology 1/Applied Biology 2 (Charleston 01)71.566.4
 5.1%
   End of Course Biology 1/Applied Biology 2 (South Carolina)67.259.1
 8.1%
End of Course English 1 (Charleston School of the Arts)98.899.1
 0.3%
   End of Course English 1 (Charleston 01)79.884.8
 5%
   End of Course English 1 (South Carolina)78.984
 5.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students11121061
 4.6%
African American152148
 2.6%
American Indian32
 33.3%
Asian5950
 15.3%
Hispanic5282
 57.7%
Pacific Islander12
 100%
White793731
 7.8%
Two or More Races5246
 11.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients12.2%22.2%
 10%


Schools Near Charleston School of the Arts









Frequently Asked Questions about Charleston School of the Arts

Students at Charleston School of the Arts are 69% White, 14% African American, 8% Hispanic, 5% Asian, 4% Two or more races.

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,061 students attended Charleston School of the Arts.

Yes! Charleston School of the Arts is one of the best high schools in the state. It ranks 9th of 235 South Carolina high schools.


Rate Charleston School of the Arts!



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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.





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