Summary:
Zip code 29401 in Charleston, SC, is home to just one middle school, Buist Academy, a unique grade 3-8 institution serving 521 students within the Charleston 01 school district.
Buist Academy is an academic powerhouse, ranked #1 out of 335 middle schools in South Carolina for the 2025-2026 school year, earning a perfect 100th percentile and a 5-star rating. It has consistently been among the top two schools in the state for the past three years. Test scores are exceptional, with proficiency rates frequently exceeding 90% and sometimes reaching 100%. For example, 100% of students were proficient in Algebra 1, 99% of 6th graders were proficient in both ELA and Science, and 97.4% of 5th graders were proficient in Math. These figures dwarf district and state averages by 40-50 percentage points in many subjects. The school also boasts a remarkably low chronic absenteeism rate of just 5.9%, compared to 20.5% for the district and 22.3% for the state. With a student-teacher ratio of 14:1 and per-student spending of $18,527, the school is well-resourced to support its students.
Given its grade 3-8 configuration and elite status, Buist Academy is likely a magnet or application-based school, drawing highly motivated families from across the district. This selection factor is important context for understanding its stellar results. For parents considering this area, the school offers an exceptionally rigorous academic environment with near-universal proficiency, but it is important to note that the student body may not be representative of the general population. The stark contrast between the school's performance and the surrounding district averages highlights its unique position, making it a standout choice for families seeking a top-tier education, though the lack of free/reduced lunch data limits a full demographic analysis.
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