Serving 403 students in grades Kindergarten-8, Lead Academy ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in South Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 24% (which is lower than the South Carolina state average of 43%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 33% (which is lower than the South Carolina state average of 52%).
The student-teacher ratio of 14:1 is equal to the South Carolina state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 87% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the South Carolina state average of 54% (majority Black).
Quick Facts (2026)
- School Type: Charter School
- Grades: Kindergarten-8
- Enrollment: 403 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 87%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in SC
- Math Proficiency: 24% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 33% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 25-29% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SC Dept. of Education
School Overview
Lead Academy's student population of 403 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 28 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-8
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
403 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
28 teachers
Year Founded
2025
School Calendar
School Motto
Be Nice. Work Hard. Serve Well. Have Fun.
School Rankings
Lead Academy ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,118 schools in South Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Lead Academy is 0.59, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.67. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#913 out of 1118 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
24%
43%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
33%
52%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
25-29%
50%
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
American Indian
1%
n/a
Asian
1%
2%
Hispanic
20%
15%
Black
60%
31%
White
13%
46%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
5%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
75%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
3%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SC Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Falcon
Profile last updated: 02/06/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lead Academy's ranking?
Lead Academy is ranked #913 out of 1,118 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in South Carolina.
What schools are Lead Academy often compared to?
Lead Academyis often viewed alongside schools like Greenbrier Elementary School, Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
24% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 43% SC state average), while 33% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 52% SC state average).
How many students attend Lead Academy?
403 students attend Lead Academy.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
60% of Lead Academy students are Black, 20% of students are Hispanic, 13% of students are White, 5% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are American Indian, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Lead Academy?
Lead Academy has a student ration of 14:1, which is equal to the South Carolina state average of 14:1.
What grades does Lead Academy offer ?
Lead Academy offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-8 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Lead Academy part of?
Lead Academy is part of South Carolina Public Charter School District.
School Reviews
2 10/10/2025
starUnfortunately my experience with Lead is very different from the other reviews here. My daughter attended 5th grade at Lead. She has always had some difficulty in school, but the principal and her teacher assured me that that would work with her to bring her up to her "highest level of potential." That was not the case. We struggled with homework for hours every night. When I told her teacher that I was concerned, her response was that the homework can be done 30 minutes. Maybe that was true for the majority of the class, but not for my daughter. She tried so hard and wanted to do well. When she came to class without her homework she was ridiculed by the teacher in front of other students. Her confidence and school work suffered and her grades dropped steadily. By the 3rd quarter of school she begged me to let her change schools. She said that her teacher hated her and made fun of her in front of the class. On numerous occasions I told the faculty that I was concerned with my child's school performance and that I wasn't sure what else to do. I asked about testing for learning disabilities and was told that they would have her tested (they are required by law to have testing done if a parent requests it). They said that they tested her by watching her in class and having an "expert" do the same. Their consensus was that there was no learning disability. They believed that she was just not motivated and didn't finish her work because she didn't care or want to do well. I know better. She was absolutely miserable and would have done anything she possibly could to do well in school. She has since been diagnosed by her pediatrician with severe ADD. She couldn't finish her work because she couldn't concentrate on it. The embarrassment and misery that she went through at Lead has permanently affected her academic confidence. On the last day of school, her class had an awards ceremony. Every. Single. Child in the class received some kind of award except my daughter. When I picked her up that day she got into the car and burst into tears when she told me what happened. So much for working to reach her highest potential. This school beat her down until she had no self esteem at all
1 10/10/2025
Teacher turnover here is high, even mid-year. They seem to struggle to keep teachers. One teacher told me it was not a good working environment at all, but I obviously can't speak for all teachers.It seems that a wide range of academic level kids are mixed in same classroom. A 3rd grade English class may have kids reading at a 5th grade level mixed with kids reading at a kindergarten level. Makes for a very difficult learning environment.We got out, would not recommend this school.
Review Lead Academy. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
