South Carolina is the #30 largest school system in the United States, serving 796,285 students across the 1,277 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are 418 private schools, serving 68,549 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)
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
1,277 Schools
100,525 Schools
# Students
796,285 Students
49,339,277 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
56,645 Teachers
3,180,552 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (SC)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
43%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
58%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
43%
Graduation Rate
84%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
50%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.67
0.71
# American Indian Students
2,307 Students
466,525 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
15,283 Students
2,807,520 Students
% Asian Students
2%
6%
# Hispanic Students
114,948 Students
14,955,622 Students
% Hispanic Students
15%
30%
# Black Students
244,266 Students
7,274,090 Students
% Black Students
31%
15%
# White Students
368,680 Students
21,014,271 Students
% White Students
46%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
956 Students
196,971 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
49,713 Students
2,588,398 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (SC)
Total Revenue (24-25)
$12,084 MM
Spending (24-25)
$11,764 MM
Revenue / Student (24-25)
$15,175
Spending / Student (24-25)
$14,773
Best South Carolina Public Schools by County (2026)
Popular neighborhoods: West Ashley (11 schools), Midtown Downtown (6 schools), Westside (4 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?
1,277 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: Marion Intermediate vs. Mccormick Elementary School, Johnakin Middle School vs. Palmetto Middle School, Ridgeland Elementary School vs. Hardeeville Elementary School
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