Best South Carolina Alternative Public Middle Schools (2026-27)

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 3 alternative public middle schools serving 417 students in South Carolina.
The top-ranked alternative public middle schools in South Carolina are Scdjj Evaluation And Detention Center, Empowerment And Enrichment Academy and The Palmetto Empowerment And Enrichment Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
South Carolina alternative public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 12% (versus the South Carolina public middle school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 80% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public middle school average of 52% (majority Black).

Best Alternative Public Middle Schools in South Carolina (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Scdjj Evaluation And Detention Center
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
5000 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 896-9037
Gr: 4-12 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #22.
Empowerment And Enrichment Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19% )
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
5000 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 896-9114
Gr: 5-12
Rank: #33.
The Palmetto Empowerment And Enrichment Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
5000 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-5952
Gr: 5-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked alternative public middle schools in South Carolina?
The top-ranked alternative public middle schools in South Carolina include Scdjj Evaluation And Detention Center, Empowerment And Enrichment Academy and The Palmetto Empowerment And Enrichment Academy.
How many alternative public middle schools are located in South Carolina?
3 alternative public middle schools are located in South Carolina.
What is the racial composition of students in South Carolina?
South Carolina alternative public middle schools minority enrollment is 80% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public middle schools average of 52% (majority Black).

Recent Articles

What Makes an Elementary School Feel Supportive?
What Makes an Elementary School Feel Supportive?
Discover what makes one elementary school more supportive than another, from teacher relationships and family communication to classroom attention, belonging, student services, leadership, routines, and responsive academic support systems.
Second School Tour: Questions Parents Forget to Ask
Second School Tour: Questions Parents Forget to Ask
A second school tour can reveal what families miss initially. Learn which questions to ask about teachers, support, schedules, safety, communication, programs, and everyday student life before enrolling.
Attendance Policies Are Changing: Parent Guide 2026
Attendance Policies Are Changing: Parent Guide 2026
Attendance policies are changing across public schools. Learn what parents should examine about absences, tardiness, interventions, flexibility, communication, and student support before choosing a school for their child today.

Quick Links