For the 2026 school year, there are 12 blue ribbon public middle schools serving 8,241 students in South Carolina.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top-ranked blue ribbon public middle schools in South Carolina are Buist Academy, Sterling School and Rollings Middle School Of The Arts. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
South Carolina blue ribbon public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 57% (versus the South Carolina public middle school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 66% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 36% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the South Carolina public middle school average of 52% (majority Black).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Middle Schools in South Carolina (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Buist Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
103 Calhoun Street
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7750
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7750
Gr: 3-8 | 521 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #22.
Sterling School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
99 John Mccarroll Way
Greenville, SC 29607
(864) 355-4480
Greenville, SC 29607
(864) 355-4480
Gr: PK-8 | 749 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #33.
Rollings Middle School Of The Arts
(Math: 75% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
815 South Main Street
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 873-3610
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 873-3610
Gr: 6-8 | 797 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #44.
Powdersville Middle School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
135 Hood Road
Greenville, SC 29611
(864) 269-1821
Greenville, SC 29611
(864) 269-1821
Gr: 6-8 | 801 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #55.
York Preparatory Academy
Charter School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1047 Golden Gate Court
Rock Hill, SC 29732
(803) 324-4400
Rock Hill, SC 29732
(803) 324-4400
Gr: K-12 | 1,672 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #66.
Palmetto Scholars Academy
Charter School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7499 Dorchester Road
North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 300-4118
North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 300-4118
Gr: 6-12 | 507 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #77.
Marrington Middle School Of The Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
109 Gearing Street
Goose Creek, SC 29445
(843) 572-0313
Goose Creek, SC 29445
(843) 572-0313
Gr: 6-8 | 432 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #88.
Forestbrook Middle School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4430 Gator Lane
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 236-7300
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 236-7300
Gr: 6-8 | 816 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #99.
T. E. Mabry Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
35 Oakland Avenue
Inman, SC 29349
(864) 472-8402
Inman, SC 29349
(864) 472-8402
Gr: 7-8 | 452 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1010.
Hanahan Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4200 Railroad Ave
Hanahan, SC 29410
(843) 820-3800
Hanahan, SC 29410
(843) 820-3800
Gr: 6-8 | 799 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #1111.
Ware Shoals Elementary Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
45 West Main Street
Ware Shoals, SC 29692
(864) 456-2711
Ware Shoals, SC 29692
(864) 456-2711
Gr: 5-8 | 238 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: n/an/a
Langston Charter Middle School
Charter School
1950 Woodruff Road
Greenville, SC 29607
(864) 286-9700
Greenville, SC 29607
(864) 286-9700
Gr: 6-8 | 457 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked blue ribbon public middle schools in South Carolina?
The top-ranked blue ribbon public middle schools in South Carolina include Buist Academy, Sterling School and Rollings Middle School Of The Arts.
How many blue ribbon public middle schools are located in South Carolina?
12 blue ribbon public middle schools are located in South Carolina.
What is the racial composition of students in South Carolina?
South Carolina blue ribbon public middle schools minority enrollment is 36% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the South Carolina public middle schools average of 52% (majority Black).
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