For the 2025 school year, there are 15 alternative public schools serving 565 students in South Carolina.
The top ranked alternative public schools in South Carolina are Manning High School, Turbeville High School and Scdjj Evaluation And Detention Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
South Carolina alternative public schools have an average math proficiency score of 12% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 52% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public school average of 53% (majority Black).
Best Alternative Public Schools in South Carolina (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Manning High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
502 Beckman Road
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 935-7203
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 935-7203
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Turbeville High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1578 Clarence Coker Hwy
Turbeville, SC 29162
(803) 896-3178
Turbeville, SC 29162
(803) 896-3178
Grades: 9-12
| 46 students
Rank: #33.
Scdjj Evaluation And Detention Center
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5000 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 896-9037
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 896-9037
Grades: 4-12
| 436 students
Rank: #44.
Empowerment And Enrichment Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
5000 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 896-9114
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 896-9114
Grades: 5-12
| n/a students
Rank: #55.
The Palmetto Empowerment And Enrichment Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
5000 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-5952
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-5952
Grades: 5-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Allendale High School
Alternative School
1057 Revolutionary Raod
Fairfax, SC 29827
(803) 737-3036
Fairfax, SC 29827
(803) 737-3036
Grades: 9-12
| 4 students
Rank: n/an/a
Broad River High School
Alternative School
4460 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2714
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2714
Grades: 9-12
| 16 students
Rank: n/an/a
Kirkland High School
Alternative School
4344 Broad River
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2708
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2708
Grades: 9-12
| 32 students
Rank: n/an/a
Lee High School
Alternative School
990 Wisacky Highway
Bishopville, SC 29010
(803) 896-2531
Bishopville, SC 29010
(803) 896-2531
Grades: 9-12
| 6 students
Rank: n/an/a
Lewis High School
Alternative School
8200 State Farm Road
Rembert, SC 29128
(803) 896-3454
Rembert, SC 29128
(803) 896-3454
Grades: 9-12
| 6 students
Rank: n/an/a
Macdougall High School
Alternative School
1516 Old Gilliard Road
Ridgeville, SC 29472
(803) 737-3036
Ridgeville, SC 29472
(803) 737-3036
Grades: 9-12
| 1 students
Rank: n/an/a
Ridgeland High School
Alternative School
5 Correctional Road
Ridgeland, SC 29936
(803) 896-3252
Ridgeland, SC 29936
(803) 896-3252
Grades: 9-12
| 1 students
Rank: n/an/a
Sara Babb High School
Alternative School
4450 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2714
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2714
Grades: 9-12
| 3 students
Rank: n/an/a
Trenton High School
Alternative School
84 Greenhouse Road
Trenton, SC 29847
(803) 896-3044
Trenton, SC 29847
(803) 896-3044
Grades: 9-12
| 9 students
Rank: n/an/a
Tyger River High School
Alternative School
200 Prison Road
Enoree, SC 29335
(803) 896-3527
Enoree, SC 29335
(803) 896-3527
Grades: 9-12
| 5 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked alternative public schools in South Carolina?
The top ranked alternative public schools in South Carolina include Manning High School, Turbeville High School and Scdjj Evaluation And Detention Center.
How many alternative public schools are located in South Carolina?
15 alternative public schools are located in South Carolina.
What is the racial composition of students in South Carolina?
South Carolina alternative public schools minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public schools average of 53% (majority Black).
Recent Articles

Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.

Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.

What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.