For the 2026 school year, there are 21 public schools serving 12,894 students in Sumter, SC (there are 10 private schools, serving 1,905 private students). 89% of all K-12 students in Sumter, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Sumter, SC are Alice Drive Elementary School, Crestwood High School and Sumter High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Sumter, SC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 22% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Sumter have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public school average of 54% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Sumter, SC (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Alice Drive Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
251 Alice Drive
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0857
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0857
Gr: PK-5 | 530 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #22.
Crestwood High School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2000 Oswego Road
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 469-6200
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 469-6200
Gr: 9-12 | 1,105 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #33.
Sumter High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2580 Mccrays Mill Road
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 481-4480
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 481-4480
Gr: 9-12 | 2,122 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #44.
Millwood Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
24 Pinewood Road
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0648
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0648
Gr: PK-5 | 602 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #55.
Lakewood High School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
350 Old Manning Road
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 506-2700
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 506-2700
Gr: 9-12 | 1,013 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #66.
Wilder Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
975 South Main Street
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 773-5723
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 773-5723
Gr: PK-5 | 299 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #77.
Alice Drive Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
40 Miller Road
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0821
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0821
Gr: 6-8 | 783 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #88.
Pocalla Springs Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2060 Bethel Church Road
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 481-5800
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 481-5800
Gr: PK-5 | 609 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #99.
Kingsbury Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
825 Kingsbury Road
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 775-6244
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 775-6244
Gr: PK-5 | 514 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1010.
Lemira Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
952 Fulton Street
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0658
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0658
Gr: PK-5 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1111.
Furman Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3400 Bethel Church Road
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 481-8519
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 481-8519
Gr: 6-8 | 700 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1212.
Crosswell Drive Elementary School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
301 Crosswell Drive
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0679
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0679
Gr: PK-5 | 481 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1313.
Bates Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
715 Estate Street
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0711
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0711
Gr: 6-8 | 481 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #1414.
Ebenezer Middle School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3440 Ebenezer Road
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 469-8571
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 469-8571
Gr: 6-8 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #1515.
Willow Drive Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
26 Willow Drive
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 773-5796
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 773-5796
Gr: PK-5 | 504 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1616.
Cherryvale Elementary School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1420 Furman Drive
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 494-8200
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 494-8200
Gr: PK-5 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1717.
R. E. Davis College Preparatory Academy
(Math: 6% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
345 Eastern School Road
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 495-3247
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 495-3247
Gr: PK-8 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #1818.
Chestnut Oaks Middle School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1200 Oswego Road
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 775-7272
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 775-7272
Gr: 6-8 | 339 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: n/an/a
Liberty Steam Charter School
Charter School
15 Church Street
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 830-5966
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 830-5966
Gr: K-4 | 730 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: n/an/a
5415 Oakland Drive
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 499-3366
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 499-3366
Gr: PK-1 | 520 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: n/an/a
Sumter Career And Technology Center
Vocational School
2612 Mccray's Mill Road
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 481-8575
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 481-8575
Gr: 9-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Sumter, SC?
The top-ranked public schools in Sumter, SC include Alice Drive Elementary School, Crestwood High School and Sumter High School.
How many public schools are located in Sumter?
21 public schools are located in Sumter.
What percentage of students in Sumter go to public school?
89% of all K-12 students in Sumter are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Sumter?
Sumter public schools minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Sumter are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Sumter include: Bates Middle School vs. Alice Drive Middle School, Chestnut Oaks Middle School vs. Alice Drive Middle School, Crestwood High School vs. Sumter High School
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