For the 2026 school year, there are 91 public schools serving 52,753 students in Charleston County, SC (there are 52 private schools, serving 9,188 private students). 84% of all K-12 students in Charleston County, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Charleston County, SC are Buist Academy, Wando High School and Lucy Garrett Beckham High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Charleston County, SC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 54% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 61% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Charleston County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of South Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 47% 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 County (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.
Wando High School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1000 Warrior Way
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 881-8200
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 881-8200
Gr: 9-12 | 2,588 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #33.
Lucy Garrett Beckham High School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1560 Mathis Ferry Road
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 856-6790
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 856-6790
Gr: 9-12 | 1,757 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #44.
James Island Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1000 Fort Johnson Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2754
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2754
Gr: 9-12 | 1,612 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #55.
Charleston School Of The Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5109-b West Enterprise Street
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 529-4990
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 529-4990
Gr: 6-12 | 1,102 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #66.
Berkeley County Middle College High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
7000 Rivers Avenue Bldg 700 St
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 899-8110
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 899-8110
Gr: 11-12 | 117 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #77.
Mt. Pleasant Academy
(Math: 86% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
605 Center Street
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2826
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2826
Gr: PK-5 | 630 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #88.
Belle Hall Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
385 Egypt Road
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2841
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2841
Gr: PK-5 | 649 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #99.
West Ashley High School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4060 West Wildcat Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 573-1201
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 573-1201
Gr: 9-12 | 2,069 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1010.
Charles Pinckney Elementary School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3300 Thomas Cario Boulevard
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 856-4585
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 856-4585
Gr: 3-5 | 644 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1111.
Sullivan's Island Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2014 Mike Perkis Place
Sullivans Island, SC 29482
(843) 883-3118
Sullivans Island, SC 29482
(843) 883-3118
Gr: PK-5 | 497 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1212.
Mamie P. Whitesides Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1565 Rifle Range Road
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2838
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2838
Gr: PK-5 | 767 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1313.
Carolina Park Elementary School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3650 Park Avenue Boulevard
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 856-8060
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 856-8060
Gr: K-5 | 931 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1414.
Montessori Community School
Magnet School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2122 Wood Avenue
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 769-0346
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 769-0346
Gr: PK-8 | 280 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1515.
Orange Grove Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1225 Orange Branch Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1520
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1520
Gr: PK-8 | 1,170 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1616.
Thomas C. Cario Middle School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3500 Thomas Cario Boulevard
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 856-4595
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 856-4595
Gr: 6-8 | 1,105 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1717.
Stiles Point Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
883-a Mikell Drive
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2767
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2767
Gr: PK-5 | 866 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1818.
East Cooper Montessori Charter
Charter School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1120 Rifle Range Road
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 216-2883
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 216-2883
Gr: PK-8 | 433 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1919.
Laing Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2705 Bulrush Basket Lane
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 849-2809
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 849-2809
Gr: 6-8 | 986 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #2020.
Jennie Moore Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2725 Bulrush Basket Lane
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 849-2815
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 849-2815
Gr: PK-5 | 993 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #2121.
Harbor View Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1576 Harbor View Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2749
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2749
Gr: PK-5 | 621 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #2222.
Moultrie Middle School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
645 Coleman Boulevard
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2819
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2819
Gr: 6-8 | 1,130 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #2323.
James B. Edwards Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
885 Von Kolnitz Road
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2805
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2805
Gr: PK-5 | 767 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #2424.
Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1871 Wallace School Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1555
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1555
Gr: PK-5 | 618 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #2525.
Burke High School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
244 President Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 579-4815
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 579-4815
Gr: 9-12 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2626.
St. Andrew's School Of Math And Science
Magnet School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
30 Chadwick Drive
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1503
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1503
Gr: PK-5 | 769 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #2727.
Academic Magnet High School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5109-a West Enterprise Street
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 746-1300
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 746-1300
Gr: 9-12 | 740 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #2828.
R. B. Stall High School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3625 Ashley Phosphate Road
North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 764-2200
North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 764-2200
Gr: 9-12 | 2,135 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #2929.
Drayton Hall Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3138 Ashley River Road
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 852-0678
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 852-0678
Gr: PK-5 | 640 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #3030.
St. Johns High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1518 Main Road
Johns Island, SC 29455
(843) 559-6200
Johns Island, SC 29455
(843) 559-6200
Gr: 9-12 | 390 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #3131.
Murray-lasaine Montessori
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
691 Riverland Drive
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2765
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2765
Gr: PK-8 | 347 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #3232.
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: #3333.
Cape Romain Environmental Education Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1101 Old Cemetery Road
Mc Clellanville, SC 29458
(843) 887-3323
Mc Clellanville, SC 29458
(843) 887-3323
Gr: PK-8 | 181 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #3434.
James Island Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1872 Grimball Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-8240
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-8240
Gr: PK-5 | 580 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #3535.
Oakland Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
505-a Arlington Drive
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1510
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1510
Gr: PK-5 | 556 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Show 56 more public schools in Charleston County, SC (out of 91 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Charleston County, SC?
The top-ranked public schools in Charleston County, SC include Buist Academy, Wando High School and Lucy Garrett Beckham High School.
How many public schools are located in Charleston County?
89 public schools are located in Charleston County.
What percentage of students in Charleston County go to public school?
84% of all K-12 students in Charleston County are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Charleston County?
Charleston County public schools minority enrollment is 47% 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 County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Charleston County include: Oceanside Collegiate Academy vs. Wando High School, Moultrie Middle School vs. Laing Middle School, Thomas C. Cario Middle School vs. Laing Middle School
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