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Best Public Schools in Charleston, SC (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Charleston Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 43 public schools serving 23,794 students in Charleston, SC (there are 30 private schools, serving 6,005 private students). 78% of all K-12 students in Charleston, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Charleston, SC are Buist Academy, James Island Charter High School and Berkeley County Middle College High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Charleston, SC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 53% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 60% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Charleston have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of South Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 48% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public school average of 54% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Charleston, SC (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Buist Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
103 Calhoun Street
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7750
Gr: 3-8 | 521 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #22.
James Island Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1000 Fort Johnson Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2754
Gr: 9-12 | 1,612 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #33.
Berkeley County Middle College High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
7000 Rivers Avenue Bldg 700 St
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 899-8110
Gr: 11-12 | 117 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #44.
West Ashley High School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4060 West Wildcat Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 573-1201
Gr: 9-12 | 2,069 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #55.
Daniel Island School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2365 Daniel Island Drive
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2301
Gr: K-8 | 1,151 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #66.
Montessori Community School
Magnet School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2122 Wood Avenue
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 769-0346
Gr: PK-8 | 280 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #77.
Philip Simmons High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3080 River Village Drive
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2960
Gr: 9-12 | 797 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #88.
Orange Grove Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1225 Orange Branch Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1520
Gr: PK-8 | 1,170 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #99.
Stiles Point Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
883-a Mikell Drive
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2767
Gr: PK-5 | 866 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1010.
Harbor View Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1576 Harbor View Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2749
Gr: PK-5 | 621 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1111.
Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1871 Wallace School Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1555
Gr: PK-5 | 618 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #1212.
Burke High School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
244 President Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 579-4815
Gr: 9-12 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1313.
St. Andrew's School Of Math And Science
Magnet School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
30 Chadwick Drive
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1503
Gr: PK-5 | 769 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1414.
Philip Simmons Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2095 Seven Sticks Drive
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2580
Gr: PK-4 | 535 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1515.
Drayton Hall Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3138 Ashley River Road
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 852-0678
Gr: PK-5 | 640 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1616.
Murray-lasaine Montessori
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
691 Riverland Drive
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2765
Gr: PK-8 | 347 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1717.
James Island Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1872 Grimball Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-8240
Gr: PK-5 | 580 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1818.
Oakland Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
505-a Arlington Drive
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1510
Gr: PK-5 | 556 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1919.
Camp Road Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1825 Camp Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2784
Gr: 6-8 | 901 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #2020.
Charleston Charter School For Math And Science
Charter School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1002 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 720-3085
Gr: 6-12 | 573 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #2121.
Carolina Voyager Charter
Charter School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
721 Wappoo Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 203-3891
Gr: K-8 | 402 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #2222.
Springfield Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2130 Pinehurst Avenue
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1538
Gr: PK-5 | 679 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Charleston Development Academy
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
233 Line Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 722-2689
Gr: PK-8 | 151 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Green Charter School Lowcountry
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
8717 Old University Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 501-7911
Gr: K-8 | 301 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #2525.
James Simons Montessori
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
741 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7763
Gr: PK-8 | 392 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #2626.
Philip Simmons Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2065 Seven Sticks Drive
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2590
Gr: 5-8 | 473 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #2727.
Lowcountry Acceleration Academy
Charter School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
5935 Rivers Avenue Suite 101a
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 804-6778
Gr: 9-12 | 619 students Student-teacher ratio: 41:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #2828.
Charleston Progressive
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
382 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 720-2967
Gr: PK-5 | 184 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2929.
C. E. Williams Middle School For Creative And Scientific Art
Magnet School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3090 Sanders Road
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1529
Gr: 6-8 | 1,299 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #3030.
Stono Park Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
314 Huntley Drive
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1507
Gr: PK-5 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #3131.
Learn4life High School-charleston
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
6209 Rivers Avenue
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 666-6362
Gr: 9-12 | 169 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #3232.
Memminger Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
20 Beaufain Street
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7778
Gr: PK-5 | 438 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #3333.
Matilda F. Dunston Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1825 Remount Road
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 745-7109
Gr: PK-5 | 569 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #3434.
Sanders-clyde Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
805 Morrison Drive
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7783
Gr: PK-5 | 369 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #3535.
Mitchell Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2 Perry Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7261
Gr: PK-5 | 188 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 97%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Charleston, SC?
The top-ranked public schools in Charleston, SC include Buist Academy, James Island Charter High School and Berkeley County Middle College High School.
How many public schools are located in Charleston?
43 public schools are located in Charleston.
What percentage of students in Charleston go to public school?
78% of all K-12 students in Charleston are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Charleston?
Charleston public schools minority enrollment is 48% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Charleston are often viewed compared to one another?

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