For the 2026-27 school year, there are 3 public preschools serving 1,526 students in Darlington, SC.
The top-ranked public preschools in Darlington, SC are St. John's Elementary School and J. L. Cain Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Darlington, SC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the South Carolina public pre school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 30% (versus the 48% statewide average). Pre schools in Darlington have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public preschool average of 55% (majority Black).
Best Public Preschools in Darlington, SC (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
St. John's Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
140 Park Street
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5130
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5130
Gr: PK-5 | 596 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #22.
J. L. Cain Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
607 First Street
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-2450
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-2450
Gr: PK-5 | 533 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: n/an/a
1010 Indian Branch Road
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5070
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5070
Gr: PK-2 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Darlington, South Carolina Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
400 Wells Street
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5080
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5080
Gr: 3-5
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Darlington, SC?
The top-ranked public preschools in Darlington, SC include St. John's Elementary School and J. L. Cain Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Darlington?
3 public preschools are located in Darlington.
What is the racial composition of students in Darlington?
Darlington public preschools minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public preschools average of 55% (majority Black).
Which public preschools in Darlington are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Darlington include: J. L. Cain Elementary School vs. St. John's Elementary School, St. John's Elementary School vs. J. L. Cain Elementary School, St. John's Elementary School vs. Pate Elementary School
Recent Articles
When a Public School Cancels a Course Your Child Needs
Learn what parents can do when public schools cancel essential courses, including protecting graduation credits, finding approved alternatives, requesting substitutions, and preventing disruptions to college or career plans before deadlines.
Verify School Assignment Before Buying a House
Before buying a house, learn how to verify your child's assigned public school, check conflicting property listings, confirm enrollment eligibility, and avoid costly school assignment surprises before closing on a property.
School Bus Commute Times: What Parents Should Know
Discover how long school bus commutes really take, why routes vary, and what parents should ask about pickup times, student fatigue, transportation reliability, and daily schedules before choosing schools.