Gray Collegiate Academy

Gray Collegiate Academy

Charter Middle, High School | Grade 8-12
3833 Leaphart Rd,  West Columbia, SC
4.4
3.6
869 Students
B+
Niche Grade
Gray Collegiate Academy is a free public charter school located in the heart of the West Columbia neighborhood. The school offers a unique dual enrollment program that allows students to earn up to 50 hours of college credit through the University of South Carolina. The school’s mission is to be community-centered, safe and supportive of its student population. Students here take advantage of the honors program and the dual enrollment college courses available in their final two years. Athletics are a key element in the school’s curriculum, and practices are held in the mornings so students can be with loved ones after school.

School Details

Head of School
Brian Newsome
Student Teacher Ratio
23:1
Average SAT Score
1120
Average ACT Score
21
Math Proficiency
67%
Reading Proficiency
83%
Average GPA
3.59
Graduation Rate
95%

Niche Grade

B
Academics
B+
Teachers
B
College Prep
A-
Administration
B
Resources/Facilities
B
Clubs and Activities
A-
Sports
A+
Food
Source: Niche
Niche Grades

Niche grades and rankings are calculated using dozens of public data sets and millions of reviews. Niche data scientists and user researchers rigorously analyze data and user opinions to assess the key aspects of K-12 Schools, Colleges, and Places to Live. Every month, millions of students and families use the Niche grades and report cards to find the right school or neighborhood.

Niche Grade Details

Academics
Average GPA
3.59
Reading Proficiency
83%
Math Proficiency
67%
Teachers
Student Teacher Ratio
23:1
Teachers
38
Full Time Teachers
38
Teachers in First or Second Year
20%
College Prep
Average SAT
1120
Math
550
Verbal
570
Average ACT
21
Math
20
English
21
Reading
23
Science
21
Number of AP Courses
1
AP Math Enrollment
Very Low
AP Science Enrollment
Very Low
Other AP Enrollment
Very Low
Clubs and Activities
Girls Athletic Participation
High
Boys Athletic Participation
Very High

GreatSchools Rating

10
Test Scores
9
Equity
10
College Readiness
Source: GreatSchools
GreatSchools Rating
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

GreatSchools Rating Details

Teachers and Staff

Students Per Counselor
204:1

Student Diversity

Female
52.3%
Male
47.7%
White
71.9%
Black
19.2%
Hispanic
6.4%
Two or more races
1.9%
Asian or Pacific Islander
<1%

School Rankings

#10 Best Charter HS in South Carolina
Source: Niche

Specialty School Programs

AP Programs Offered
IB Programs Offered
Free/Reduced Lunch Offered
Athletics Program

Colleges Students are Considering

Students are most interested in or go on to attend these colleges.
University of South Carolina 244 Students
Clemson University 152 Students
College of Charleston 150 Students
Coastal Carolina University 96 Students
Charleston Southern University 88 Students
Winthrop University 86 Students
Anderson University - South Carolina 77 Students
Lander University 68 Students
Midlands Technical College 64 Students
University of South Carolina Aiken 60 Students

What Students Want to Study

Niche users from this school are most interested in the following majors.
Biology 66 Students
Business 59 Students
Nursing 51 Students
Psychology 39 Students
Pre-Medicine Studies 29 Students
Sport and Fitness Management 25 Students
Kinesiology and Exercise Science 22 Students
Physical Therapy 19 Students
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration 16 Students
Small Business Management 15 Students

This School’s Reviews

Niche Reviews
4.4 47 Reviews
4.0 Parent
5/15/2025
I love for the school to have more diversity. It's a sports driven school and, music and the arts would thrive if they had them.
3.0 Alum
6/3/2024
I honestly can say that gray is a great school. it is unbelievably hard to make friends and actually be involved unless you are in a sport, but other than that this school is great.
5.0 Senior
5/10/2024
Attending Gray Collegiate was the best decision for me. I was able to not only acquire college credit but also venture out into many sports.
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GreatSchools Reviews
3.6 8 Reviews
1.0 parent
9/20/2023
This school has 2 sets of standards. 1 set for athletes and 1 set for regular students. The athletes get away with everything including breaking the dress code, smoking weed on campus, and terrible grades. The teachers pass the athletes right through. But the non-athletes get written up for violatin...
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5.0 parent
8/23/2023
Gray Collegiate Academy is a wonderful school. My Child is learning due to the teachers pushing them to do their best. You get out of it what you put into it. No complaints. Faculty and staff are doing a great job.
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5.0 parent
8/15/2019
All 3 of my children have attended Gray. Nothing negative to say. It is a great school and students get ahead by taking college classes in high school.
Read Full Review
5.0 parent
2/2/2019
We love our school! Looking forward to the middle school. Teachers and administrators are always willing to answer questions
Read Full Review
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Agents Specializing Near This School

  • Janice Dinkel

    Janice Dinkel

    Coldwell Banker Realty

    (803) 592-9782

    109 Total Sales

    2 Near This School

    $238K - $300K Price Range

    Janice Dinkel
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  • Julie Henline

    Julie Henline

    Your Midlands Real Estate Services LLC

    (803) 302-3459

    57 Total Sales

    1 Near This School

    $660,000 Price

    Julie Henline
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  • Mack Bryant

    Mack Bryant

    Transcendent Real Estate Group

    (854) 204-2506

    179 Total Sales

    1 Near This School

    $69,950 Price

    Mack Bryant
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  • Doreen Miller

    Doreen Miller

    Responds Quickly

    NextHome Specialists

    (803) 784-3500

    170 Total Sales

    10 Near This School

    $155K - $286K Price Range

    Doreen Miller
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  • Cat Thornton

    Cat Thornton

    Lake Homes Realty LLC

    (803) 886-9171

    119 Total Sales

    8 Near This School

    $45K - $426K Price Range

    Cat Thornton
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  • Miranda Mole

    Miranda Mole

    TruHome Realty

    (803) 809-3053

    81 Total Sales

    1 Near This School

    $153,900 Price

    Miranda Mole
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Parks in this Area

South Carolina Lexington County West Columbia 29169
Gray Collegiate Academy

Gray Collegiate Academy is a charter school for students in grades 8-12 in West Columbia, SC, in the West Columbia neighborhood, and is served by the Charter Institute at Erskine in South Carolina. The school has a total enrollment of 869 and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23:1. Academic records show that 67% of students achieve proficiency in math, and 83% are proficient in reading. Gray Collegiate Academy has received feedback and ratings, with a Niche grade of B+ and a GreatSchools Rating of 10 out of 10. The average GPA is 3.59, the graduation rate is 95%, and average standardized test scores include an SAT score of 1120 and an ACT score of 21. The average home value in this area is $257,235. Learn more about what West Columbia has to offer, and browse homes for sale and for rent near Gray Collegiate Academy.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Janice Dinkel
Janice Dinkel
Coldwell Banker Realty
Agent experienced in this area
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