Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

New rankings! SchoolDigger recently updated its South Carolina rankings with newly released test scores for the 2025-26 school year.

Be the first to know when we post new rankings!

Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy

Q: Is Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy a good school?

Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy ranks in the bottom 0.0% of South Carolina middle schools.

Q: How many students attend Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 216 students attended Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy?

Students at Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy are 49% White, 41% African American, 5% Two or more races, 4% Hispanic.

Public, Charter Grades 2-8

335^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 335 South Carolina Middle Schools

Better than 0% of South Carolina middle schools

Summary

Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy is a small public charter school in Columbia, SC, serving 216 students in grades 2 through 8 within the School Public Charter School District.

This school faces significant academic challenges. Test scores are dramatically below state averages in every subject and grade level. For example, math proficiency is essentially nonexistent, with 0% of students in 4th, 6th, and 7th grades meeting state standards, and no grade has ever exceeded 10% proficiency over the past four years. English Language Arts proficiency ranges from just 6.3% to 22.6% across grades, compared to state averages of 56-65%. The school has ranked in the bottom 3% of all South Carolina middle schools for four consecutive years, and its ranking has actually declined—from 309th out of 320 schools in 2024-2025 to 335th out of 335 in 2025-2026. Nearby schools tell a very different story: Crayton Middle achieves 69.1% proficiency in 6th grade ELA, and Hand Middle reaches 62.4%, while Palmetto sits at just 14.3%.

There are some positive signs worth noting. The school maintains an excellent 9.3:1 student-teacher ratio—the lowest among all comparable schools in the area—and spends $16,348 per student, which is in line with peer institutions. Chronic absenteeism has improved to 15.2%, which is actually better than both the district (18.4%) and state (22.3%) averages, and far better than nearby W. A. Perry Middle (47%) and Heyward Gibbes Middle (44%). The school also showed a brief bright spot in 2023-2024 when its disabled students ranked in the 63rd percentile statewide. However, the persistent academic struggles—despite strong staffing and improving attendance—raise important questions about instructional effectiveness and whether the charter model is delivering the results families deserve. Parents considering this school should weigh these factors carefully and explore nearby options like Longleaf Middle or Dent Middle.

216

Students ?

9.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$16,348

Per pupil spending ?

34.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

6015 N Main Street
Columbia, SC 29224

(803) 900-0664

District: School Public Charter School District

Racial breakdown:

White:

49.1%

African American:

41.2%

Two or more races:

4.6%

See top rated South Carolina middle schools

Compare Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 3rd percentile in 2023 → <1st in 2026

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 9 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the South Carolina average (9% vs 55% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (<1st percentile)

!Science scores 47 pts below the South Carolina average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school9%

District avg52%

South Carolina avg55%

Elementary school

649^th of 649

South Carolina public elementary schools ?

Bottom 1%▼ down 3 pts since 2023

See the entire ranking list of South Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

335^th of 335

South Carolina public middle schools ?

Bottom 1%▼ down 3 pts since 2023

From bottom 3% (2023) to bottom 1% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of South Carolina Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

4^th of 4Middle Schools in the School Public Charter School District

32^nd of 75School Public Charter School District 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
2026	0.8	649 of 649	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	2.3	640 of 640	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	2.2	638 of 638	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	6.7	627 of 644	2.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	21.6	133 of 154	13.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	24.2	119 of 147	19.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	22.6	122 of 143	14.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	23.6	141 of 174	19.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	38.0	96 of 151	36.4%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2023	6.8	561 of 580	3.3%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	0.4	624 of 624	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	1.6	613 of 613	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	2.9	608 of 608	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	0.9	583 of 583	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	2.2	585 of 586	0.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	0.5	568 of 568	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	10.6	536 of 582	7.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	10.7	532 of 579	8.1%	☆☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2023	1.1	462 of 463	0.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	1.3	454 of 455	0.2%	☆☆☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	1.3	335 of 335	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	8.5	309 of 320	3.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	8.8	316 of 325	2.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	8.1	315 of 325	3.1%	☆☆☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	28.2	157 of 191	17.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	52.6	65 of 177	63.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	31.2	138 of 187	26.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	66.4	33 of 183	82.0%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2023	6.8	294 of 299	1.7%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2023	2.9	313 of 313	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	1.4	306 of 306	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	9.4	286 of 303	5.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	19.5	232 of 292	20.5%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2023	1.7	260 of 260	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆

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

Disabled (2026)14th percentile+14 vs school

Female (2023)3rd percentile~ school

White (2023)<1st percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)<1st percentile~ school

Male (2026)<1st percentile~ school

Middle school

Disabled (2026)18th percentile+18 vs school

Female (2023)2nd percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2023)<1st percentile-3 vs school

Male (2026)<1st percentile~ school

White (2023)<1st percentile-3 vs school

By subject vs South Carolina (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts16%-46 vs state

Science5%-47 vs state

Mathematics3%-46 vs state

★

No ratings yet

Be the first to rate Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy and help other families decide.

Rate Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				SC READY English Language Arts (2026)						SC READY Mathematics (2026)						SC READY Science (2026)		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 (2024)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	SC READY English Language Arts 3rd Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 4th Grade	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 4th Grade	SC READY Science 6th Grade	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
Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy	Public, Charter	2-8	6015 N Main Street	Columbia	29224	Richland County	School Public Charter School District	Yes	No	No	No	(803) 900-0664	216	23	9.3	34.3%	106 (49.1%)	89 (41.2%)	9 (4.2%)	2 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (4.6%)	1.3	335^th of 335 public middle schools	0.0%		8.5	309^th of 320 public middle schools	3.4%	26	6.3	22.6	19.6	14.3	15.4		9.7	0.0	4.3	0.0	0.0		0.0	8.6	$16,348	$1,802	$163	$1,965	$11,174	$3,208	$14,383
Alcorn Middle	Public	6-8	5125 Fairfield Road	Columbia	29203	Richland County	Richland 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 735-3439	381	31	12.4	100.0%	11 (2.9%)	295 (77.4%)	55 (14.4%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.0%)	3.9	334^th of 335 public middle schools	0.3%		6.4	316^th of 320 public middle schools	1.3%	18				25.1	17.8	29.8				10.8	9.2	9.8		14.4	$22,494	$2,572	$1,551	$4,123	$15,467	$2,904	$18,371
W. G. Sanders Middle	Public, Magnet	6-8	3455 Pine Belt Road	Columbia	29204	Richland County	Richland 01	No	Yes	No	No	(803) 735-7575	503	54	9.3	100.0%	59 (11.7%)	376 (74.8%)	46 (9.1%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (3.8%)	22.5	263^rd of 335 public middle schools	21.5%		31.9	221^st of 320 public middle schools	30.9%	42				43.6	50.3	36.0				24.5	28.6	26.0		31.4	$20,208	$1,375	$1,201	$2,576	$14,996	$2,637	$17,633
W. A. Perry Middle	Public	6-8	2600 Barhamville Road	Columbia	29204	Richland County	Richland 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 256-6347	320	32	10.0	100.0%	2 (0.6%)	289 (90.3%)	11 (3.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (5.6%)	12.7	309^th of 335 public middle schools	7.8%		13.4	288^th of 320 public middle schools	10.0%	21				26.6	47.7	46.5				14.0	14.4	17.0		18.5	$30,818	$3,082	$2,054	$5,136	$19,110	$6,573	$25,683
Heyward Gibbes Middle	Public	6-8	500 Summerlea Drive	Columbia	29203	Richland County	Richland 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 343-2942	252	26	9.8	100.0%	4 (1.6%)	227 (90.1%)	13 (5.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (3.2%)	15.1	301^st of 335 public middle schools	10.1%		11.9	295^th of 320 public middle schools	7.8%	6				32.4	46.5	37.2				17.3	11.3	30.8		27.5	$28,273	$2,597	$1,973	$4,569	$19,307	$4,397	$23,704
Dent Middle	Public, Magnet	6-8	2721 Decker Boulevard	Columbia	29206	Richland County	Richland 02	No	Yes	No	No	(803) 699-2750	1,059	83	12.7	100.0%	185 (17.5%)	566 (53.4%)	186 (17.6%)	67 (6.3%)	5 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	47 (4.4%)	42.4	187^th of 335 public middle schools	44.2%		40.7	186^th of 320 public middle schools	41.9%	1				50.2	54.5	55.8				30.9	40.6	35.5		43.0	$15,232	$1,039	$661	$1,699	$11,035	$2,497	$13,532
Crayton Middle	Public	6-8	5000 Clemson Avenue	Columbia	29206	Richland County	Richland 01	No	No	No	No	(803) 738-7224	952	68	14.0	100.0%	469 (49.3%)	330 (34.7%)	70 (7.4%)	17 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)	64 (6.7%)	83	47^th of 335 public middle schools	86.0%		82.3	51^st of 320 public middle schools	84.1%	4				69.1	76.1	66.1				56.0	60.7	57.2		65.0	$17,291	$1,415	$1,114	$2,529	$12,672	$2,090	$14,761
Hand Middle	Public	6-8	2600 Wheat Street	Columbia	29205	Richland County	Richland 01	No	No	No	No	(803) 343-2947	755	61	12.3	100.0%	232 (30.7%)	388 (51.4%)	82 (10.9%)	7 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	44 (5.8%)	52.6	145^th of 335 public middle schools	56.7%		49.1	150^th of 320 public middle schools	53.1%	5				62.4	64.3	56.3				39.1	33.5	40.1		44.6	$18,872	$1,401	$1,133	$2,534	$13,897	$2,441	$16,338
St. Andrews Middle	Public	6-8	1231 Bluefield Road	Columbia	29210	Richland County	Richland 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 731-8910	627	58	10.8	100.0%	17 (2.7%)	523 (83.4%)	46 (7.3%)	11 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	29 (4.6%)	9.2	319^th of 335 public middle schools	4.8%		9.7	305^th of 320 public middle schools	4.7%	14				32.6	36.7	35.2				13.3	16.4	18.5		23.5	$18,051	$2,156	$1,651	$3,808	$11,942	$2,301	$14,244
Northside Middle	Public	6-8	157 Cougar Drive	West Columbia	29169	Lexington County	Lexington 02	No	No	No	No	(803) 739-4190	528	43	12.2	84.5%	124 (23.5%)	129 (24.4%)	240 (45.5%)	10 (1.9%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (4.4%)	26	252^nd of 335 public middle schools	24.8%		29.1	233^rd of 320 public middle schools	27.2%	19				38.7	45.6	52.8				17.8	17.3	38.2		41.8	$16,360	$547	$1,527	$2,074	$11,997	$2,290	$14,286

Frequently Asked Questions about Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy

Is Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy a good school?

Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy ranks in the bottom 0.0% of South Carolina middle schools.

What is the racial makeup of Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy?

Students at Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy are 49% White, 41% African American, 5% Two or more races, 4% Hispanic.

What district is Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy in?

School Public Charter School District

How many students attend Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 216 students attended Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy.

Rate Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

SCSouth Carolina Middle School Rankings

SCSouth Carolina District Rankings

Schools in Columbia, SC

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy!

Latest South Carolina data All new data »

2025–26 EOCEP & SC READY test scoresAug 10, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataNov 3, 2025

2024–25 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesNov 3, 2025

2024–25 EOCEP & SC READY test scoresSep 2, 2025

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.