Enrollment
688
South Carolina · 2024-25 NCES data
Other / mixed grade configuration · Hardeeville, SC
Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch
Federal NCES profile for Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 19/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 450390901590Charter school
👥 S:T ratio 46
🌟 Gifted program 30
🎓 Counselors 0
📋 Attendance 0
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch earns 19/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the South Carolina median.
- #1 of 3
- schools in Hardeeville · Resource Index
- 19
- Resource Index · Lower
- 13.5:1
- students per teacher
- 86.4%
- free-lunch eligible
Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch has class sizes near the South Carolina median. Computed live against every South Carolina school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch ranks #1 of 3 schools in Hardeeville, SC.
School address
District: Charter Institute at Erskine · South Carolina
NCES ID 450390901590 Verify on NCES CCD record →
Teachers (FTE)
51.0
Federal CCD staff survey
Students per teacher
13.5:1
vs 14.3:1 South Carolina avg
-6% vs state
Free-lunch eligible
86.4%
vs 74.0% South Carolina avg
+17% vs state
Student-teacher ratio in context
How Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch compares with South Carolina and U.S. medians
What stands out at Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch
Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch is a high-poverty, mid-sized charter combined-grade school in Hardeeville, South Carolina, enrolling 688 students.
At 13.5:1, its student-teacher ratio sits close to the South Carolina median, within a few percentage points of the 14.3:1 state norm, neither notably crowded nor notably small.
Its free-meal eligibility rate of 86.4% lands close to the South Carolina typical range, neither a high- nor low-need campus by this measure.
Enrollment of 688 puts it in the larger third of South Carolina schools by headcount.
Its Resource Investment Index trails 99% of the 1,214 South Carolina schools with a score on record, one of the lower results on this measure.
Among 345 similarly sized, similarly resourced-need South Carolina schools statewide, it ranks #339, in the lower tier once campus size and economic need are matched.
Its student body is led by Hispanic or Latino (58%) and African American (28%) (diversity index 57/100).
Counselor access is stretched at roughly 688 students per counselor, well above the ASCA-recommended 250:1 ceiling.
Chronic absenteeism is elevated: 45.6% of students missed 10% or more of school days (2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection).
The surrounding Charter Institute at Erskine spends $6,927 per pupil, 52% below the South Carolina average, a leaner-resourced district than most.
The federal civil-rights collection also records 3 expulsions at this campus for 2021-22.
Among Hardeeville's public schools, it stands alongside Hardeeville Junior /Senior High (696 students): Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch is smaller than that campus by headcount and runs leaner classes (13.5:1 vs 20.5:1).
Charter Institute at Erskine also operates Sc Connections Academy (6,152 students) and Cyber Academy of South Carolina (3,280 students) alongside Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch.
Sourced from NCES CCD, CRDC, and F-33 (federal records, not a quality verdict). How we source and compute this.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics Common Core of Data + CRDC + F-33 · 2024-25
How Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch compares
Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch on the metrics families compare, against South Carolina and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs South Carolina | South Carolina avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 13.5:1 | ▼ 6% | 14.3:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 86.4% | ▲ 17% | 74.0% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 688 | top 34% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
13.5:1
Leaner classes than 62% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
688
Bigger than 79% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators (what these measure)
Economic need
86.4%
free-lunch eligible
- 17% above the South Carolina average of 74.0%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
13.5:1
students per teacher
- 6% below state mean
Top 42% in South Carolina - lower ratio than 58% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
45.6%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$6,927
per pupil, district-wide
- below South Carolina avg of $14,558
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 688 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
6
in-school suspensions + 56 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.9 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 9.0 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection. Includes 3 expulsions.
Overview
- Common Core of Data (June 2026): enrollment, staffing, and the student-teacher ratio above.
- Civil Rights Data Collection: discipline counts and program access (AP, gifted, special education).
- F-33 School District Finance Survey: the district-wide per-pupil spending figures below.
Three separate federal collections, each on its own reporting cadence - which is why this school's numbers line up on a consistent basis against every other school and state on this site, rather than mixing figures pulled from different survey years.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 58.1%
African American 27.8%
White 11.3%
Two or More 2.0%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.4%
Asian 0.3%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 58.1% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 57.2/100
Simpson diversity index - at 57.2, Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch is more mixed than the South Carolina school average of 52.7.
Programs
Funding & spending
District-wide per-pupil expenditure for Charter Institute at Erskine, which includes Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch.
$6,927
Per student
-52%
vs South Carolina
Avg $14,558
-58%
vs U.S.
Avg $16,593
Revenue mix
Local 2.7%
State 85.8%
Federal 11.5%
Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey District-level finance · FY 2021-22 Per-pupil expenditure reflects the district-wide average. Individual school budgets are not reported at the federal level.
How Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sc Connections Academy | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Cyber Academy of South Carolina | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| South Carolina Virtual Charter School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Gray Collegiate Academy | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Mevers School of Excellence | Similar size | Lower economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 6,152
- Students per teacher
- 27.8:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
- Enrollment
- 3,280
- Students per teacher
- 19.3:1
- Resource Index
- 43/100
- Enrollment
- 2,180
- Students per teacher
- 15.8:1
- Resource Index
- 55/100
- Enrollment
- 935
- Students per teacher
- 24:1
- Resource Index
- 55/100
- Enrollment
- 772
- Students per teacher
- 13.1:1
- Resource Index
- 42/100
Similar other schools in Hardeeville
2 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Similar other schools statewide
Matched by enrollment size and by staffing ratio across all of South Carolina, not just this city - a different peer set than the local comparisons above.
Similar enrollment (~688 students)
Similar student-teacher ratio (~13.5:1)
Next steps
Verify locally before acting on Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch's federal record.
- Compare Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch against another school. Compare schools
- Charter Institute at Erskine's spending and staffing shape this school. District profile
- Confirm current enrollment and boundaries with the school. Choosing guide
Federal record (CCD 2024-25, CRDC 2021-22) - PlainSchools assigns no subjective rating; the composite quality score is a transparent, reproducible index computed from this cited federal data.
Frequently asked questions about Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch
How many students attend Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch?
Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch has 688 students enrolled. It is a public school in Hardeeville, SC.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch?
The student-teacher ratio at Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch is 13.5:1, which is 6% lower than the South Carolina average of 14.3:1 and 14% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch?
86.4% of students at Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch are eligible for free lunch, compared to the South Carolina average of 74.0%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch?
The largest demographic group at Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch is Hispanic or Latino at 58.1% of enrollment, in Hardeeville, SC. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 57.2/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch?
Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch has a Resource Investment Index of 19/100 (lower reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, counselor availability, attendance rates. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch rank among schools in Hardeeville?
By Resource Investment Index, Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch ranks #1 of 3 schools in Hardeeville, SC. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Hardeeville on the city page.
Is Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch a good school?
Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch earns 19/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the South Carolina median. This is a resource snapshot, not an academic rating; see the Resource Investment Index question above for what the number does and doesn't measure.
What other schools are in Charter Institute at Erskine?
Besides Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch, Charter Institute at Erskine also operates Sc Connections Academy (6,152 students), Cyber Academy of South Carolina (3,280 students), and South Carolina Virtual Charter School (2,180 students). See the Charter Institute at Erskine district page for the complete list.
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Every figure on PlainSchools is rendered directly from the source NCES, CRDC and F-33 federal records, no number is typed in by an editor. Each school's figures reflect its most recent NCES/CRDC submission on file. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of June 2026.