South Carolina is the #30 largest school system in the United States, serving 793,942 students across the 1,275 public schools for the 2025 school year (there are 439 private schools, serving 72,564 students). 92% of all K-12 students in South Carolina attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in South Carolina is 41%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 52%.
The top-ranked public schools in South Carolina are Wando High School, Brashier Middle College Charter High School, and Buist Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 53%, with the majority being Black and the student:teacher ratio is 14:1.
Top Ranked Public Schools in South Carolina (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Wando High School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 92% (Top 1%)
Reading: 96% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1000 Warrior Way
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 881-8200
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 881-8200
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Brashier Middle College Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1830 West Georgia Road Buildin
Simpsonville, SC 29680
(864) 757-1800
Simpsonville, SC 29680
(864) 757-1800
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Buist Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 91% (Top 1%)
Reading: 96% (Top 1%)
Grades: 3-8
103 Calhoun Street
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7750
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7750
Rank: #2 - 42. - 4.
Oceanside Collegiate Academy
Charter School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
580 Faison Road
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 936-7128
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 936-7128
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Greenville Technical Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥90% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
506 Pleasantburg Drive #119
Greenville, SC 29606
(864) 250-8844
Greenville, SC 29606
(864) 250-8844
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Hcs Early College High School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥90% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
2050 Highway 501 East Hgtc
Conway, SC 29528
(843) 349-3131
Conway, SC 29528
(843) 349-3131
Rank: #77.
James Byrnes Freshman Academy
(Math: 84% | Reading: ≥99%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 84% (Top 5%)
Reading: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9
100 Rowe Street
Duncan, SC 29334
(864) 949-2320
Duncan, SC 29334
(864) 949-2320
Rank: #88.
Greer Middle College Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
138 West Mcelhaney Road
Taylors, SC 29687
(864) 469-7571
Taylors, SC 29687
(864) 469-7571
Rank: #99.
Lucy Garrett Beckham High School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 88% (Top 1%)
Reading: 93% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
1560 Mathis Ferry Road
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 856-6790
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 856-6790
Rank: #1010.
Chapin High School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 83% (Top 5%)
Reading: 95% (Top 5%)
Grades: 9-12
300 Columbia Avenue
Chapin, SC 29036
(803) 575-5400
Chapin, SC 29036
(803) 575-5400
Overview
This State (SC)
# Schools
1,275 Schools
# Students
793,942 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
55,972 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (SC)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
52%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
Graduation Rate
84%
Eligible for Free Lunch
67%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.67
# American Indian Students
2,294 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
# Asian Students
14,678 Students
% Asian Students
2%
# Hispanic Students
106,236 Students
% Hispanic Students
14%
# Black Students
248,106 Students
% Black Students
31%
# White Students
373,634 Students
% White Students
47%
# Hawaiian Students
944 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
# Two or more races Students
47,903 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (SC)
Total Revenue (22-23)
$12,084 MM
Spending (22-23)
$11,764 MM
Revenue / Student (22-23)
$15,220
Spending / Student (22-23)
$14,817
Best South Carolina Public Schools by County (2025)
Popular neighborhoods: West Ashley (12 schools), Midtown Downtown (6 schools), Westside (5 schools), Greenview (3 schools), Park Circle (3 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in South Carolina?
The top-ranked public schools in South Carolina include Wando High School, Brashier Middle College Charter High School, and Buist Academy.
How many public schools are located in South Carolina?
1,275 public schools are located in South Carolina.
What percentage of students in South Carolina go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in South Carolina attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in South Carolina?
Minority enrollment in South Carolina is 53%, with the majority being Black.
Which public schools in South Carolina are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in South Carolina include: Marion Intermediate vs. Mccormick Elementary School, Ridgeland Elementary School vs. Hardeeville Elementary School, D. R. Hill Middle School vs. Florence Chapel Middle School
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