South Carolina is the #30 largest school system in the United States, serving 795,969 students across the 1,276 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 434 private schools, serving 72,685 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 43%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 52%.
The top-ranked public schools in South Carolina are Buist Academy, Greenville Technical Charter High School, and James Byrnes Freshman Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 54%, with the majority being Black and the student-teacher ratio is 14:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in South Carolina (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Buist Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 93% (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: #22.
Greenville Technical 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
506 Pleasantburg Drive #119
Greenville, SC 29606
(864) 250-8844
Greenville, SC 29606
(864) 250-8844
Rank: #33.
James Byrnes Freshman Academy
(Math: 89% | Reading: ≥99%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 89% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9
100 Rowe Street
Duncan, SC 29334
(864) 949-2320
Duncan, SC 29334
(864) 949-2320
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Brashier Middle College Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (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: #4 - 54. - 5.
Greer Middle College Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (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: #66.
Wando High School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 89% (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: #77.
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: #88.
Catawba Ridge High School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 98%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 86% (Top 5%)
Reading: 98% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1180 Fort Mill Parkway
Fort Mill, SC 29715
(803) 835-5222
Fort Mill, SC 29715
(803) 835-5222
Rank: #99.
Fort Mill High School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 97%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85% (Top 5%)
Reading: 97% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
215 North Highway 21 Bypass
Fort Mill, SC 29715
(803) 548-1900
Fort Mill, SC 29715
(803) 548-1900
Rank: #1010.
Chapin High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (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)
US
# Schools
1,276 Schools
100,274 Schools
# Students
795,969 Students
49,273,234 Students
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
Gender %
# Teachers
56,621 Teachers
3,176,846 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (SC)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
43%
41%
Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
58%
47%
Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
43%
Graduation Rate
83.8%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. View full 13-year historical data
Eligible for Free Lunch
50%
50%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 35-year historical data
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 27-year historical data
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.67
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# American Indian Students
2,307 Students
465,607 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
15,283 Students
2,805,284 Students
% Asian Students
2%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# Hispanic Students
114,938 Students
14,933,108 Students
% Hispanic Students
15%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 36-year historical data
# Black Students
243,980 Students
7,261,526 Students
% Black Students
31%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# White Students
368,670 Students
20,989,144 Students
% White Students
46%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
# Hawaiian Students
956 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
49,703 Students
2,585,770 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 15-year historical data
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (SC)
Statewide Total Revenue
$14,457 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Statewide Total Spending
$13,500 MM
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Revenue / Student
$18,162
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Spending / Student
$16,961
Showing 2014–2023. View full 34-year historical data
Best South Carolina Public Schools by County (2026-27)
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 Buist Academy, Greenville Technical Charter High School, and James Byrnes Freshman Academy.
How many public schools are located in South Carolina?
1,276 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 54%, 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: Blacksburg High School vs. Gaffney High School, Ridgeland Elementary School vs. Hardeeville Elementary School, Marion Intermediate vs. Mccormick Elementary School
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