Best Richland County Public Charter Schools (2025)

For the 2025 school year, there are 10 public charter schools serving 8,066 students in Richland County, SC.
The top ranked public charter schools in Richland County, SC are Richland One Charter Middle College, Midlands Middle College and Sc Whitmore School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Richland County, SC public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the South Carolina public charter school average of 40%), and reading proficiency score of 59% (versus the 58% statewide average). Charter schools in Richland County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public charter schools.
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Black), which is equal to the South Carolina public charter school average of 43% (majority Black).

Best Public Charter Schools in Richland County (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Richland One Charter Middle College
Charter School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 80-89% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
316 South Beltline Boulevard R
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 738-7114
Gr: 11-12 | 104 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #22.
Midlands Middle College
Charter School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 60-79% )
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1260 Lexington Drive
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 822-7043
Gr: 10-12 | 134 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #33.
Sc Whitmore School
Charter School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
501 Commerce Drive Ne
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 476-6416
Gr: 9-12 | 478 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 34:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #44.
Sc Connections Academy
Charter School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
201 Executive Center Drive Sui
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 212-4712
Gr: K-12 | 5,955 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #55.
Green Charter School Midlands
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
7820 Broad River Road
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 563-5387
Gr: K-8 | 264 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #66.
Carolina School For Inquiry
Charter School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
7405-a Fairfield Road
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 691-1250
Gr: PK-6 | 113 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #77.
Clear Dot Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2015 Marion Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 567-3075
Gr: PK-10 | 418 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #88.
Palmetto Achievement Center For Excellence Academy
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
6015 N Main Street
Columbia, SC 29224
(803) 900-0664
Gr: 2-8 | 198 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: n/an/a
Berea
Charter School
3710 Landmark Drive Suite 201
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 734-8322
Rank: n/an/a
Carolus Online Academy
Charter School
1812 Barnwell Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(866) 968-7512
Gr: K-8 | 402 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Richland County, SC

Richland County Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
4460 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2853
5900 Chesnut Rd
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 787-6815
Gr: 2-6
Hall Institute (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1800 Colonial Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 898-1488
Gr: K-12 | 28 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1
5616 Hood Street
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 787-8266
Gr: 1-3 | 166 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
3801 North Main Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 929-1140
Gr: K-5 | 132 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
4344 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2714
Gr: 9-12 | 121 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 121:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
3806 North Main Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 630-1622
Gr: 6-11 | 166 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
2638 Two Notch Rd
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 799-5101
Gr: 4-8 | 79 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
610 Faison Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 935-7100
Gr: 7-12 | 20 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Post Office Box 207
State Park, SC 29147
(803) 935-0116
Gr: 6-12
200 Arbor Lake Drive Suite 301
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 735-9110
Gr: 9-12 | 242 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
115 Atrium Way Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 227-6670
Gr: 9-12 | 310 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
5715 Adams Ct
Columbia, SC 29206
(808) 782-1772
Gr: PK-1
425 Summit Terrace Court Build
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 567-5634
Gr: K-3 | 91 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
7900 Brookmont Lane
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 419-1348
Gr: 9-12 | 39 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 39:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
140 Stoneridge Drive Suite 420
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 253-6222
Gr: K-12 | 3,503 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 30:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
3700 Forrest Drive Suite 406
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 462-0254
Gr: K-8 | 226 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
2015 Marion Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 227-6422
Gr: 6-11 | 140 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
501 Commerce Drive
Columbia, SC 29223
(866) 476-6416
Gr: 9-12 | 449 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
4546 Broad River Rd
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-1873
Walden (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
4340 Broad River Rd
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-8580

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public charter schools in Richland County, SC?
The top ranked public charter schools in Richland County, SC include Richland One Charter Middle College, Midlands Middle College and Sc Whitmore School.
How many public charter schools are located in Richland County?
10 public charter schools are located in Richland County.
What is the racial composition of students in Richland County?
Richland County public charter schools minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Black), which is equal to the South Carolina public charter schools average of 43% (majority Black).

Recent Articles

Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children’s wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.
Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.
What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we’ll take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.