South Carolina is the #30 largest school system in the United States, serving 793,779 students across the 1,274 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are , serving 72,873 students). 92% of all K-12 students in South Carolina attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in South Carolina is 43%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 52%.
The top-ranked public schools in South Carolina are Buist Academy, Greenville Technical Charter High School, and Oceanside Collegiate Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 53%, with the majority being Black and the student-teacher ratio is 14:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in South Carolina (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Buist Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 93% (Top 1%)
Reading: 96% (Top 1%)
Grades: 3-8
103 Calhoun Street
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7750
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7750
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Greenville Technical Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
506 Pleasantburg Drive #119
Greenville, SC 29606
(864) 250-8844
Greenville, SC 29606
(864) 250-8844
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
Oceanside Collegiate Academy
Charter School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
580 Faison Road
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 936-7128
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 936-7128
Rank: #44.
James Byrnes Freshman Academy
(Math: 89% | Reading: ≥99%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 89% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥99% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9
100 Rowe Street
Duncan, SC 29334
(864) 949-2320
Duncan, SC 29334
(864) 949-2320
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Brashier Middle College Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1830 West Georgia Road Buildin
Simpsonville, SC 29680
(864) 757-1800
Simpsonville, SC 29680
(864) 757-1800
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Greer Middle College Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 90-94% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
138 West Mcelhaney Road
Taylors, SC 29687
(864) 469-7571
Taylors, SC 29687
(864) 469-7571
Rank: #77.
Wando High School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 96% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1000 Warrior Way
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 881-8200
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 881-8200
Rank: #88.
Hcs Early College High School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: ≥90% (Top 1%)
Reading: ≥95% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
2050 Highway 501 East Hgtc
Conway, SC 29528
(843) 349-3131
Conway, SC 29528
(843) 349-3131
Rank: #99.
Catawba Ridge High School
(Math: 86% | Reading: 98%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 86% (Top 5%)
Reading: 98% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
1180 Fort Mill Parkway
Fort Mill, SC 29715
(803) 835-5222
Fort Mill, SC 29715
(803) 835-5222
Rank: #1010.
Fort Mill High School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 97%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85% (Top 5%)
Reading: 97% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
215 North Highway 21 Bypass
Fort Mill, SC 29715
(803) 548-1900
Fort Mill, SC 29715
(803) 548-1900
<麻豆果冻传媒 class='so-dt-title' id="overview">Overview<麻豆果冻传媒 class='so-dt-title' id="student-by-grade">Student By Grade<麻豆果冻传媒 class='so-dt-title' id="state-rank">State Acdeamy<麻豆果冻传媒 class='so-dt-title' id="students-by-ethnicity">Students by Ethnicity:<麻豆果冻传媒 class="so-dt-title" id="state-revenue-and-spending">State Revenue and Spending
This State (SC)
US
# Schools
1,274 Schools
100,795 Schools
# Students
793,779 Students
49,494,734 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
55,959 Teachers
3,241,124 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
15:1
State Average (SC)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
43%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
58%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
50%
43%
Graduation Rate
84%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
67%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
5%
Diversity Score
0.67
0.70
# American Indian Students
2,294 Students
477,337 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
14,678 Students
2,755,585 Students
% Asian Students
2%
6%
# Hispanic Students
106,225 Students
14,721,043 Students
% Hispanic Students
14%
30%
# Black Students
247,964 Students
7,323,773 Students
% Black Students
31%
15%
# White Students
373,626 Students
21,491,186 Students
% White Students
47%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
944 Students
185,312 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
47,901 Students
2,514,798 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
This State (SC)
Total Revenue (23-24)
$12,084 MM
Spending (23-24)
$11,764 MM
Revenue / Student (23-24)
$15,223
Spending / Student (23-24)
$14,820
<麻豆果冻传媒 class="list-title center">Best South Carolina Public Schools by County (2026)
Popular neighborhoods: West Ashley (12 schools), Midtown Downtown (6 schools), Westside (5 schools), Greenview (3 schools), Park Circle (3 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
<麻豆果冻传媒 class='so-dt-title' id='faq'>Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in South Carolina?
The top-ranked public schools in South Carolina include Buist Academy, Greenville Technical Charter High School, and Oceanside Collegiate Academy.
How many public schools are located in South Carolina?
1,274 public schools are located in South Carolina.
What percentage of students in South Carolina go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in South Carolina attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in South Carolina?
Minority enrollment in South Carolina is 53%, with the majority being Black.
Which public schools in South Carolina are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in South Carolina include: Marion Intermediate vs. Mccormick Elementary School, Blacksburg High School vs. Gaffney High School, Ridgeland Elementary School vs. Hardeeville Elementary School
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