For the 2026 school year, there are 33 public middle schools serving 18,475 students in Charleston County, SC.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Charleston County, SC are Buist Academy, Charleston School Of The Arts and Montessori Community School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Charleston County, SC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the South Carolina public middle school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in Charleston County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of South Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 46% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public middle school average of 52% (majority Black).
Best Public Middle 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.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
Camp Road Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1825 Camp Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2784
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2784
Gr: 6-8 | 901 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #1313.
Charleston Charter School For Math And Science
Charter School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1002 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 720-3085
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 720-3085
Gr: 6-12 | 573 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1414.
Lowcountry Leadership Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5139 Gibson Road
Hollywood, SC 29449
(843) 889-5527
Hollywood, SC 29449
(843) 889-5527
Gr: K-12 | 520 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1515.
Carolina Voyager Charter
Charter School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
721 Wappoo Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 203-3891
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 203-3891
Gr: K-8 | 402 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Charleston Development Academy
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
233 Line Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 722-2689
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 722-2689
Gr: PK-8 | 151 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Rank: #16 - 1716. - 17.
Green Charter School Lowcountry
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
8717 Old University Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 501-7911
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 501-7911
Gr: K-8 | 301 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1818.
James Simons Montessori
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
741 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7763
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7763
Gr: PK-8 | 392 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1919.
Allegro Charter School Of Music
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4542 Simms Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 321-7104
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 321-7104
Gr: 6-12 | 250 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #2020.
Haut Gap Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1861 Bohicket Road
Hollywood, SC 29449
(843) 559-6418
Hollywood, SC 29449
(843) 559-6418
Gr: 6-8 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #2121.
Malcolm C. Hursey Montessori
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3910 Verde Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-7105
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-7105
Gr: PK-8 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #2222.
Military Magnet Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2950 Carner Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-7102
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-7102
Gr: 6-12 | 393 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2323.
C. E. Williams Middle School For Creative And Scientific Art
Magnet School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3090 Sanders Road
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1529
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1529
Gr: 6-8 | 1,299 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #2424.
Edith L. Frierson Montessori
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
6133 Maybank Highway
Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487
(843) 559-1182
Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487
(843) 559-1182
Gr: PK-8 | 165 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #2525.
Baptist Hill High School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
5117 Baptist Hill Road
Hollywood, SC 29449
(843) 889-2277
Hollywood, SC 29449
(843) 889-2277
Gr: 6-12 | 507 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #2626.
St. James Santee Elementary-middle
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
8900 Highway 17 North
Mc Clellanville, SC 29458
(843) 723-0863
Mc Clellanville, SC 29458
(843) 723-0863
Gr: PK-8 | 167 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #2727.
Pattison's Academy For Comprehensive Education
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
721 Wappoo Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 402-7850
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 402-7850
Gr: PK-12 | 53 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #2828.
Deer Park Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2263 Otranto Road
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 990-5200
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 990-5200
Gr: 6-8 | 315 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #2929.
Jerry Zucker Middle School Of Science
Magnet School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
6401 Dorchester Road
North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 767-8383
North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 767-8383
Gr: 6-8 | 513 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #3030.
Morningside Middle School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1999 Singley Lane
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-2000
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-2000
Gr: 6-8 | 552 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #3131.
Simmons Pinckney Middle School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
244 President Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7789
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7789
Gr: 6-8 | 190 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: n/an/a
3656 Tee Vee Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(803) 496-5197
Charleston, SC 29412
(803) 496-5197
Gr: 6-8 | 501 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: n/an/a
2685 Leeds Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 529-3130
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 529-3130
Gr: PK-8 | 806 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Charleston County, SC?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Charleston County, SC include Buist Academy, Charleston School Of The Arts and Montessori Community School.
How many public middle schools are located in Charleston County?
32 public middle schools are located in Charleston County.
What is the racial composition of students in Charleston County?
Charleston County public middle schools minority enrollment is 46% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public middle schools average of 52% (majority Black).
Which public middle schools in Charleston County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Charleston County include: Moultrie Middle School vs. Laing Middle School, Thomas C. Cario Middle School vs. Laing Middle School, Laing Middle School vs. Thomas C. Cario Middle School
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.