For the 2024 school year, there are 43 public schools serving 22,414 students in Charleston, SC (there are 31 private schools, serving 6,378 private students). 78% of all K-12 students in Charleston, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Charleston, SC are Buist Academy, James Island Charter High School and Daniel Island School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Charleston, SC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 48% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 48% statewide average). Schools in Charleston have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of South Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 47% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public school average of 52% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Charleston, SC (2024)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Buist Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 94% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
103 Calhoun Street
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7750
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7750
Grades: 2-8
| 560 students
Rank: #22.
James Island Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1000 Ft. Johnson Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2754
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2754
Grades: 9-12
| 1,611 students
Rank: #33.
Daniel Island School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2365 Daniel Island Drive
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2301
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2301
Grades: PK-8
| 1,172 students
Rank: #44.
Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1871 Wallace School Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1555
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1555
Grades: PK-5
| 568 students
Rank: #55.
Montessori Community School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2122 Wood Avenue
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 769-0346
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 769-0346
Grades: PK-8
| 264 students
Rank: #66.
Orange Grove Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1225 Orange Branch Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1520
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1520
Grades: PK-8
| 1,153 students
Rank: #77.
Stiles Point Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
883-a Mikell Drive
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2767
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2767
Grades: PK-5
| 776 students
Rank: #88.
West Ashley High School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4060 West Wildcat Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 573-1201
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 573-1201
Grades: 9-12
| 1,840 students
Rank: #99.
Harbor View Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1576 Harbor View Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2749
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2749
Grades: PK-5
| 629 students
Rank: #1010.
Philip Simmons Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2095 Seven Sticks Drive
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2580
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2580
Grades: PK-4
| 501 students
Rank: #1111.
Philip Simmons High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3080 River Village Drive
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2960
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2960
Grades: 9-12
| 731 students
Rank: #1212.
St. Andrew's School Of Math And Science
Magnet School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
30 Chadwick Drive
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1503
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1503
Grades: PK-5
| 739 students
Rank: #1313.
Drayton Hall Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3138 Ashley River Road
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 852-0678
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 852-0678
Grades: PK-5
| 606 students
Rank: #1414.
Camp Road Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1825 Camp Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2784
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2784
Grades: 6-8
| 833 students
Rank: #1515.
Murray-lasaine Montessori
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
691 Riverland Drive
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2765
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2765
Grades: PK-8
| 354 students
Rank: #1616.
James Island Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1872 Grimball Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-8240
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-8240
Grades: PK-5
| 529 students
Rank: #1717.
Oakland Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
505-a Arlington Drive
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1510
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1510
Grades: PK-5
| 549 students
Rank: #1818.
Burke High School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
244 President Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 579-4815
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 579-4815
Grades: 9-12
| 355 students
Rank: #1919.
Carolina Voyager Charter
Charter School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
721 Wappoo Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 203-3891
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 203-3891
Grades: K-8
| 381 students
Rank: #2020.
Charleston Charter School For Math And Science
Charter School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1002 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 720-3085
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 720-3085
Grades: 6-12
| 547 students
Rank: #2121.
Springfield Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2130 Pinehurst Avenue
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1538
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1538
Grades: PK-5
| 641 students
Rank: #2222.
Philip Simmons Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2065 Seven Sticks Drive
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2590
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2590
Grades: 5-8
| 408 students
Rank: #2323.
Malcolm C. Hursey Montessori
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4542 Simms Street
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 745-7105
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 745-7105
Grades: PK-8
| 422 students
Rank: #2424.
Charleston Advancement High School
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1484 Camp Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 580-7283
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 580-7283
Grades: 9-12
| 453 students
Rank: #2525.
James Simons Montessori
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
741 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7763
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7763
Grades: PK-8
| 376 students
Rank: #2626.
Charleston Development Academy
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
233 Line Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 722-2689
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 722-2689
Grades: PK-8
| 152 students
Rank: #2727.
C. E. Williams Middle School For Creative And Scientific Art
Magnet School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3090 Sanders Road
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1529
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1529
Grades: 6-8
| 1,207 students
Rank: #2828.
Charleston Progressive
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
382 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 720-2967
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 720-2967
Grades: PK-5
| 235 students
Rank: #2929.
Stono Park Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
314 Huntley Drive
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1507
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1507
Grades: PK-5
| 408 students
Rank: #3030.
Pattison's For Comprehensive Education
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
721 Wappoo Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 402-7850
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 402-7850
Grades: K-12
| 41 students
Rank: #3131.
A. C. Corcoran Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
8585 Vistavia Road
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 764-2218
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 764-2218
Grades: PK-5
| 663 students
Rank: #3232.
Memminger Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
20 Beaufain Street
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7778
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7778
Grades: PK-5
| 332 students
Rank: #3333.
Mitchell Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2 Perry Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7261
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7261
Grades: PK-5
| 216 students
Rank: #3434.
Deer Park Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2263 Otranto Road
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 990-5200
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 990-5200
Grades: 6-8
| 342 students
Rank: #3535.
Matilda F. Dunston Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1825 Remount Road
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 745-7109
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 745-7109
Grades: PK-5
| 401 students
Show 8 more public schools in Charleston, SC (out of 43 total schools)
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Charleston, South Carolina Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Apple Charter School (Closed 2015)
Charter School
1101 Camp Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 795-6877
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 795-6877
Grades: K-8
| 75 students
East Light Academy (Closed 2021)
Charter School
2325 Charleston Regional Parkw
Charleston, SC 29492
(803) 734-8322
Charleston, SC 29492
(803) 734-8322
Grades: PK-2
| 39 students
1825 Camp Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2740
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2740
Grades: 6-8
| 465 students
63 Columbus Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7767
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7767
Grades: PK-6
| 217 students
1484 Camp Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2784
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2784
Grades: 6-8
| 332 students
1225 Orange Branch
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1520
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1520
Grades: PK-4
| 715 students
St. Andrews Middle School (Closed 2015)
Magnet School
721 Wappoo Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1533
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1533
Grades: 6-8
| 323 students
Septima P. Clark Corporate Academy (Closed 2008)
Magnet School
1929 Grimball Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2774
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2774
Grades: 9-12
| 93 students
Susan G. Boykin Charter (Closed 2011)
Charter School
4951 Rivers Ave
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 744-8882
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 744-8882
Grades: K-6
| n/a students
1776 William Kennerty Drive
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1546
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1546
Grades: 6-8
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Charleston, SC?
The top ranked public schools in Charleston, SC include Buist Academy, James Island Charter High School and Daniel Island School.
How many public schools are located in Charleston, SC?
43 public schools are located in Charleston, SC.
What percentage of students in Charleston, SC go to public school?
78% of all K-12 students in Charleston, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Charleston, SC?
Charleston, SC public schools minority enrollment is 47% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public schools average of 52% (majority Black).
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