For the 2026 school year, there are 10 public schools serving 4,842 students in Colleton County, SC (there are 4 private schools, serving 510 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Colleton County, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Colleton County, SC are Colleton County High School, Jane Edwards Elementary School and Cottageville Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Colleton County, SC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 20% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Colleton County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public school average of 54% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Colleton County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Colleton County High School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
150 Cougar Nation Drive
Walterboro, SC 29488
(843) 782-0031
Walterboro, SC 29488
(843) 782-0031
Gr: 9-12 | 1,352 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #22.
Jane Edwards Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1960 Jane Edwards Road
Edisto Island, SC 29438
(843) 559-4171
Edisto Island, SC 29438
(843) 559-4171
Gr: PK-6 | 92 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #33.
Cottageville Elementary School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
648 Peirce Road
Cottageville, SC 29435
(843) 782-4528
Cottageville, SC 29435
(843) 782-4528
Gr: PK-5 | 425 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #44.
Northside Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1929 Industrial Road
Walterboro, SC 29488
(843) 782-0015
Walterboro, SC 29488
(843) 782-0015
Gr: 1-5 | 428 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #55.
Forest Hills Elementary School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
633 Hiers Corner Road
Walterboro, SC 29488
(843) 782-4512
Walterboro, SC 29488
(843) 782-4512
Gr: 1-5 | 472 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #66.
Bells Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
12088 Bells Highway
Ruffin, SC 29475
(843) 782-0012
Ruffin, SC 29475
(843) 782-0012
Gr: PK-5 | 249 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #77.
Hendersonville Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
6089 Hendersonville Highway
Walterboro, SC 29488
(843) 782-0027
Walterboro, SC 29488
(843) 782-0027
Gr: PK-5 | 324 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #88.
Colleton County Middle School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1379 Tuskegee Airmen Drive
Walterboro, SC 29488
(843) 782-0040
Walterboro, SC 29488
(843) 782-0040
Gr: 6-8 | 931 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: n/an/a
256 Smith Street
Walterboro, SC 29488
(843) 782-4516
Walterboro, SC 29488
(843) 782-4516
Gr: PK-K | 358 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: n/an/a
Thunderbolt Career And Technology Center
Vocational School
1069 Thunderbolt Road
Walterboro, SC 29488
(843) 782-4514
Walterboro, SC 29488
(843) 782-4514
Gr: 9-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Colleton County, SC?
The top-ranked public schools in Colleton County, SC include Colleton County High School, Jane Edwards Elementary School and Cottageville Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Colleton County?
10 public schools are located in Colleton County.
What percentage of students in Colleton County go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Colleton County are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Colleton County?
Colleton County public schools minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Colleton County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Colleton County include: Hendersonville Elementary School vs. Forest Hills Elementary School, Northside Elementary School vs. Forest Hills Elementary School, Forest Hills Elementary School vs. Northside Elementary School
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