Buist Academy for Advanced Studies
General Information
Overview
Buist Academy for Advanced Studies is a distinguished K-8 magnet school located in Charleston, South Carolina, serving both elementary and middle grade levels under the Charleston County School District. Founded in 1985, Buist Academy offers a rigorous, inquiry-based curriculum grounded in the principles of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP). Its mission emphasizes academic excellence, global awareness and cultivating lifelong learners ready to take action in their communities.
The school’s downtown Charleston location contributes to its rich cultural learning environment, allowing students to engage with local civic institutions and historic surroundings. Buist’s magnet status attracts families seeking a challenging academic environment, strong foreign language instruction (French or Spanish from the early grades) and a tight-knit community of learners across grade levels. With its dual elementary-middle structure, the school creates continuity of experience from early elementary into 8th grade, ensuring coherent educational progression within a high-performing learning environment.
Contact Informations
Address: 103 Calhoun Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29401
Phone Number: (843) 724-7750
Email Address: Available via Buist Academy’s main office contact in the Charleston County School District directory
School Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Founding Year | 1985 (magnet school established) buist.ccsdschools.com+1 |
| Grades Served | K–8 (Kindergarten through 8th grade) Niche+1 |
| Type | Public Magnet, K-8 School |
| District | Charleston County School District |
| Enrollment | Approximately 537 students (grades 3-8 data) Niche |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | ~16:1 (per most recent data) Niche |
| IB World School Authorised | PYP since 2007, MYP authorised as middle years programme buist.ccsdschools.com+1 |
Buist Academy for Advanced Studies Rankings
| Category | Performance / Ranking |
|---|---|
| Reading Proficiency | ~96% of students proficient in reading (state test data) homes.com+1 |
| Math Proficiency | ~91% of students proficient in math homes.com+1 |
| Overall School Rating (Niche) | Grade “A” overall for academics and teacher quality Niche |
| U.S. News & World Report | Ranked #1 elementary in South Carolina, #2 middle school in state buist.ccsdschools.com |
Buist Academy for Advanced Studies – Academics
Buist Academy for Advanced Studies Faculties / Departments
- Core Academic Department (English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies)
- International Baccalaureate Department (PYP & MYP coordination)
- Foreign Language Department (French & Spanish from early grades)
- Arts & Performing Arts Department (Visual Arts, Music, Theater)
- Technology & STEM Integration Department
- Student Support & Counselling Department (including Gifted & Talented, Special Education)
- Enrichment & Service-Learning Department
Buist Academy for Advanced Studies Courses and Programs / Majors
- Inquiry-based units of study aligned with IB themes: students engage in concept-based learning across disciplines, often integrating multiple subjects in units of inquiry. screportcards.com+1
- Foreign language instruction: all students begin either French or Spanish in their early years and continue through graduation. buist.ccsdschools.com+1
- Technology and STEM integration: students engage in collaborative, real-world projects such as SeaPerch, Quiz Bowl and robotics competitions. screportcards.com
- Arts integration and enriched electives: the curriculum emphasizes visual arts, performing arts and service learning to complement academics and foster well-rounded learners.
- Service-learning and global-citizenship focus: through MYP community service projects, students develop attributes of the IB Learner Profile and apply their learning outside classrooms. screportcards.com
Online Learning
Buist Academy supports digital learning through technology-rich classrooms, collaborative platforms and inquiry-based units that leverage online tools for research, communication and presentation. While the primary mode is in-person, the school’s infrastructure allows for blended learning and digital literacy development so students are equipped to adapt to evolving instructional formats and remote contingencies.
Average Test Scores
| Assessment | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Reading Proficiency | ~96% proficient in reading (grades data) homes.com |
| Math Proficiency | ~91% proficient in math homes.com |
Retention and Graduation Rates
As a K–8 institution, Buist Academy does not report traditional graduation rates typical of high schools. Instead, retention is reflected in the school’s ability to carry students via grade transitions from elementary to middle grades within the same institution, preserving academic continuity and minimizing transitional disruption. The magnet framework and rigorous IB-driven pedagogy promote high student engagement, supporting retention and preparing students for high school success.
Buist Academy for Advanced Studies – Admissions
GPA Range and SAT / ACT Range
Admission to Buist Academy is based on magnet school selection and enrollment procedures; there is no typical requirement of GPA or standardized test scores for entry. Prospective students apply through the magnet lottery or district choice process, consistent with policies for charter/magnet schools in Charleston County.
Buist Academy for Advanced Studies Acceptance Rate
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | Competitive magnet admissions via lottery/selection – rate varies yearly |
Buist Academy for Advanced Studies Application Requirements
Families interested in Buist Academy must complete the Charleston County School District magnet application during the designated enrollment window. Applicants must submit standard registration documentation (proof of residence, previous school records if applicable, immunization records) and indicate interest in the magnet programme’s K–8 pathway. Information sessions, school tours and visits may also be part of the process to inform families about the rigorous curriculum and school culture.
Application Process
- Submit magnet application to Charleston County School District for Buist Academy within application deadlines
- Attend informational meeting or school tour if required
- Students entered into lottery or selection process based on availability of seats
- Families notified of acceptance or wait-list status
- Complete registration paperwork and attend orientation once accepted
Buist Academy for Advanced Studies Application Deadlines / Important Dates
| Event | Timing |
|---|---|
| Magnet Application Window | Typically early in calendar year |
| Lottery/Selection Notification | Spring |
| New Student Orientation | Summer (before school year begins) |
Essay Prompt
Not applicable for Buist Academy; admissions rely on magnet application and selection process rather than essay submissions.
Buist Academy for Advanced Studies Scholarships
As a public K–8 magnet school, Buist Academy does not require tuition and therefore does not offer traditional scholarships for enrollment. Support for student enrichment and program enhancement may be available through foundation grants or in-school initiatives, but no tuition-based scholarship structure exists.
Buist Academy for Advanced Studies Tuition Fee (Costs)
| Category | Cost Details |
|---|---|
| Tuition | None – public magnet school |
| Fees | Minimal or none for standard attendance |
Buist Academy for Advanced Studies – Student Profile and Demographics
Student Demographics (Gender, Age, Race/Ethnicity)
Buist Academy serves approximately 537 students (grades 3-8 in published data) with a student-teacher ratio near 16:1. Niche Demographic breakdown includes roughly 74.3% White, 10.6% African American, 6.1% Hispanic, 5% Asian, and 3.7% Multiracial. Niche Gender distribution is approximately 54% male / 46% female.
Low-Income Students / Students with Disabilities
Around 21% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch at Buist Academy, indicating moderate economic diversity. Niche The school offers support services for students with identified disabilities, English Language Learners, and gifted programmes consistent with its magnet and IB structure.
Student Body
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Enrollment | ~537 (grades 3-8 data) Niche |
| Grades Served | K-8 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | ~16:1 |
University Diversity
Buist Academy fosters an environment enriched by cultural, linguistic and ability-level diversity. Although the majority of students identify as White, the presence of multiracial, Hispanic and Asian students contributes multicultural perspectives to the school community. The magnet and IB model promotes collaboration, inquiry, service learning and global citizenship, cultivating respect for individual differences and empowering students from varied backgrounds to engage in meaningful academic and social experiences. Through grade-level buddy systems, interdisciplinary projects and house-based communities, students develop strong peer connections across age groups and foster inclusive attitudes. The school’s curriculum integrates service-learning and global contexts, enabling all learners—regardless of background—to act with agency and empathy. The diversity in socio-economic status, language background and learning profiles is met with targeted supports, allowing the school to maintain high academic achievement while advancing equity in access to enriched opportunities.
Average Earnings
As a K–8 institution, Buist Academy does not track alumni earnings. However, by equipping students with rigorous academic preparation, strong foundational skills and global-minded dispositions, the school positions its graduates for success in high school, college and beyond. The high proficiency in reading and math along with the IB curriculum suggest students are well-prepared for advanced studies, improving their long-term educational and career prospects.
Buist Academy for Advanced Studies – Faculty and Staff
Teachers and Staff
Buist Academy’s faculty are experienced educators specializing in IB programmes, inquiry-based instruction and interdisciplinary learning. With a student-teacher ratio of approximately 16:1, teachers have the bandwidth to collaborate, differentiate learning and personalize student experiences. Professional development focuses on IB frameworks, unit planning, global contexts and integrating arts and technology across grade levels.
Faculty Profiles
Educators at Buist Academy demonstrate expertise in project-based learning, cross-discipline integration and foreign language instruction from early grades. Teachers design concept-based units of inquiry and coordinate grade level teams for planning, reflection and continuous improvement. Achievements such as state-level competition wins in Mock Trial, robotics or academic quiz bowls reflect faculty commitment to excellence. The school’s multiple recognitions—including National Blue Ribbon status and top state rankings—are testament to the staff’s dedication and impact.
Buist Academy for Advanced Studies – Campus and Student Life
Campus Life / Housing
Buist Academy does not provide student housing, functioning as a day school in the heart of Charleston. The campus features specialized spaces for IB learning, foreign language instruction, performing and visual arts, technology labs and service-learning coordination. Student life incorporates house systems, peer mentoring, K–8 buddy programs, extracurriculars in arts, media and STEM, and frequent community engagement opportunities. The school culture emphasizes student agency, leadership and collaborative inquiry across grade levels.
Transportation
Located at 103 Calhoun Street in downtown Charleston, Buist Academy is accessible for families throughout the district via public transportation, district bus routes and walking for nearby residents. As a magnet school, students from beyond typical attendance zones may commute via district-provided transportation or parent-arranged transit. The urban setting allows access to the city’s amenities, historic sites and cultural institutions, enriching the school’s academic and extracurricular programs.