For the 2026 school year, there are 31 public schools serving 11,740 students in Orangeburg County, SC (there are 9 private schools, serving 1,320 private students). 90% of all K-12 students in Orangeburg County, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Orangeburg County, SC are Newberry High School, Edisto High School and Lockett Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Orangeburg County, SC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 24% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 34% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Orangeburg County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public school average of 54% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Orangeburg County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Newberry High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3113 Main Street
Bowman, SC 29018
(803) 321-2621
Bowman, SC 29018
(803) 321-2621
Gr: 9-12 | 837 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #22.
Edisto High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
500 R.m. Foster Drive
Cordova, SC 29039
(803) 536-1553
Cordova, SC 29039
(803) 536-1553
Gr: 9-12 | 614 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #33.
Lockett Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1349 Dorange Road
Branchville, SC 29432
(803) 274-8588
Branchville, SC 29432
(803) 274-8588
Gr: PK-5 | 239 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #44.
Lake Marion High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3656 Tee Vee Road
Santee, SC 29142
(803) 854-9213
Santee, SC 29142
(803) 854-9213
Gr: 9-12 | 692 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #55.
Branchville High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1349 Dorange Road
Branchville, SC 29432
(803) 274-8875
Branchville, SC 29432
(803) 274-8875
Gr: 6-12 | 317 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #66.
Orangeburg Wilkinson High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
601 Bruin Parkway
Orangeburg, SC 29118
(803) 534-6180
Orangeburg, SC 29118
(803) 534-6180
Gr: 9-12 | 992 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #77.
Brookdale Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
394 Brookdale Drive
Orangeburg, SC 29115
(803) 534-5982
Orangeburg, SC 29115
(803) 534-5982
Gr: PK-5 | 215 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #88.
Felton Laboratory Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
115 Lance Street
Orangeburg, SC 29116
(803) 536-7034
Orangeburg, SC 29116
(803) 536-7034
Gr: K-8 | 279 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #99.
Whittaker Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
790 Whittaker Parkway
Orangeburg, SC 29115
(803) 534-6559
Orangeburg, SC 29115
(803) 534-6559
Gr: PK-5 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
Holly Hill Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1490 Brant Avenue
Holly Hill, SC 29059
(803) 496-3464
Holly Hill, SC 29059
(803) 496-3464
Gr: PK-5 | 356 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #10 - 1110. - 11.
North Middle/high
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
692 Cromer Avenue
North, SC 29112
(803) 247-2541
North, SC 29112
(803) 247-2541
Gr: 6-12 | 227 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #12 - 1512. - 15.
Dover Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1411 Bedford Avenue
North, SC 29112
(803) 247-2184
North, SC 29112
(803) 247-2184
Gr: PK-5 | 237 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #12 - 1512. - 15.
Hunter-kinard-tyler Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
7066 Norway Road
Neeses, SC 29107
(803) 263-4441
Neeses, SC 29107
(803) 263-4441
Gr: PK-5 | 179 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #12 - 1512. - 15.
Hunter-kinard-tyler High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
7066 Norway Road
Neeses, SC 29107
(803) 263-4832
Neeses, SC 29107
(803) 263-4832
Gr: 6-12 | 220 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #12 - 1512. - 15.
Vance-providence Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
633 Camden Road
Vance, SC 29163
(803) 492-7766
Vance, SC 29163
(803) 492-7766
Gr: PK-5 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1616.
St. James-gaillard Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1555 Gardensgate Road
Eutawville, SC 29048
(803) 492-7927
Eutawville, SC 29048
(803) 492-7927
Gr: PK-5 | 211 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #1717.
Sheridan Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1139 Hillsboro Road
Orangeburg, SC 29115
(803) 534-7504
Orangeburg, SC 29115
(803) 534-7504
Gr: PK-5 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1818.
Bethune-bowman Middle/high
(Math: 19% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4857 Charleston Highway
Rowesville, SC 29133
(803) 516-6011
Rowesville, SC 29133
(803) 516-6011
Gr: 6-12 | 349 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1919.
Bethune-bowman Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4857 Charleston Highway
Rowesville, SC 29133
(803) 533-6371
Rowesville, SC 29133
(803) 533-6371
Gr: PK-5 | 259 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2020.
Marshall Elementary School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1441 Marshall Street
Orangeburg, SC 29118
(803) 534-7865
Orangeburg, SC 29118
(803) 534-7865
Gr: PK-5 | 625 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2121.
William J. Clark Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
919 Bennett Avenue
Orangeburg, SC 29115
(803) 531-2200
Orangeburg, SC 29115
(803) 531-2200
Gr: 6-8 | 587 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2222.
Carver Edisto Middle School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2018 Carver School Road
Cope, SC 29038
(803) 534-3554
Cope, SC 29038
(803) 534-3554
Gr: 6-8 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #2323.
Elloree Elementary School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
200 Warrior Drive
Elloree, SC 29047
(803) 897-2233
Elloree, SC 29047
(803) 897-2233
Gr: PK-8 | 252 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #2424.
Mellichamp Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
350 Murray Road
Orangeburg, SC 29115
(803) 534-8044
Orangeburg, SC 29115
(803) 534-8044
Gr: 3-5 | 144 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #2525.
Robert E. Howard Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1255 Belleville Road
Orangeburg, SC 29115
(803) 534-5470
Orangeburg, SC 29115
(803) 534-5470
Gr: 6-8 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
Cope Area Career Center
Vocational School
6052 Slab Landing Road
Cope, SC 29038
(803) 534-7661
Cope, SC 29038
(803) 534-7661
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
3239 Cordova Road
Cordova, SC 29039
(803) 536-4782
Cordova, SC 29039
(803) 536-4782
Gr: PK-2 | 635 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: n/an/a
Lake Marion Technology Center
Vocational School
3656 Tee Vee Road
Santee, SC 29142
(803) 854-9213
Santee, SC 29142
(803) 854-9213
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
The Orangeburg Career & Technology Center
Vocational School
3720 Magnolia Street
Orangeburg, SC 29118
(803) 536-4473
Orangeburg, SC 29118
(803) 536-4473
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Orangeburg High School For Health Professions
Charter School
130 Howard Hill Drive
Orangeburg, SC 29118
(803) 535-1693
Orangeburg, SC 29118
(803) 535-1693
Gr: 9-12 | 492 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: n/an/a
Willie Jeffries School Of Excellence
Charter School
3000 Five Chop Road
Orangeburg, SC 29115
(803) 250-5717
Orangeburg, SC 29115
(803) 250-5717
Gr: K-6 | 274 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Orangeburg County, SC?
The top-ranked public schools in Orangeburg County, SC include Newberry High School, Edisto High School and Lockett Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Orangeburg County?
31 public schools are located in Orangeburg County.
What percentage of students in Orangeburg County go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Orangeburg County are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Orangeburg County?
Orangeburg County public schools minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Orangeburg County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Orangeburg County include: Orangeburg High School For Health Professions vs. Orangeburg Wilkinson High School, Whittaker Elementary School vs. Brookdale Elementary School, Robert E. Howard Middle School vs. William J. Clark 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.
