For the 2025 school year, there are 44 public schools serving 23,295 students in Charleston, SC (there are , serving 6,295 private students). 79% 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 West Ashley High 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 53% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 60% (versus the 52% 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 53% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Charleston, SC (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Buist Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
103 Calhoun Street
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7750
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7750
Gr: 3-8 | 537 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #22.
James Island Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1000 Ft. Johnson Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2754
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2754
Gr: 9-12 | 1,597 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #33.
West Ashley High School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
4060 West Wildcat Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 573-1201
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 573-1201
Gr: 9-12 | 2,043 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #44.
Daniel Island School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2365 Daniel Island Drive
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2301
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2301
Gr: K-8 | 1,146 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #55.
Montessori Community School
Magnet School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2122 Wood Avenue
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 769-0346
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 769-0346
Gr: PK-8 | 281 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #66.
Philip Simmons High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3080 River Village Drive
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2960
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2960
Gr: 9-12 | 809 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #77.
Orange Grove Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1225 Orange Branch Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1520
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1520
Gr: PK-8 | 1,169 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #88.
Stiles Point Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
883-a Mikell Drive
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2767
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2767
Gr: PK-5 | 813 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #99.
Harbor View Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1576 Harbor View Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2749
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2749
Gr: PK-5 | 662 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1010.
Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1871 Wallace School Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1555
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1555
Gr: PK-5 | 617 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #1111.
Burke High School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
244 President Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 579-4815
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 579-4815
Gr: 9-12 | 359 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1212.
St. Andrew's School Of Math And Science
Magnet School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
30 Chadwick Drive
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1503
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1503
Gr: PK-5 | 733 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1313.
Philip Simmons Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2095 Seven Sticks Drive
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2580
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2580
Gr: PK-4 | 545 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1414.
Drayton Hall Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3138 Ashley River Road
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 852-0678
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 852-0678
Gr: PK-5 | 655 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1515.
Murray-lasaine Montessori
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
691 Riverland Drive
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2765
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2765
Gr: PK-8 | 338 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1616.
James Island Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1872 Grimball Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-8240
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-8240
Gr: PK-5 | 616 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1717.
Oakland Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
505-a Arlington Drive
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1510
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1510
Gr: PK-5 | 525 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1818.
Camp Road Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1825 Camp Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2784
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2784
Gr: 6-8 | 857 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1919.
Charleston Charter School For Math And Science
Charter School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1002 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 720-3085
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 720-3085
Gr: 6-12 | 559 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #2020.
Carolina Voyager Charter
Charter School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
721 Wappoo Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 203-3891
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 203-3891
Gr: K-8 | 392 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #2121.
Springfield Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2130 Pinehurst Avenue
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1538
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1538
Gr: PK-5 | 674 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Charleston Development Academy
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
233 Line Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 722-2689
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 722-2689
Gr: PK-8 | 168 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Green Charter School Lowcountry
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
8717 Old University Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 501-7911
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 501-7911
Gr: K-8 | 274 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #2424.
James Simons Montessori
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
741 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7763
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7763
Gr: PK-8 | 371 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #2525.
Philip Simmons Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2065 Seven Sticks Drive
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2590
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2590
Gr: 5-8 | 454 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #2626.
Lowcountry Acceleration Academy
Charter School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5935 Rivers Avenue Suite 101a
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 804-6778
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 804-6778
Gr: 9-12 | 462 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 46:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Charleston Progressive
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
382 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 720-2967
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 720-2967
Gr: PK-5 | 203 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #27 - 2827. - 28.
Malcolm C. Hursey Montessori
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4542 Simms Street
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 745-7105
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 745-7105
Gr: PK-8 | 475 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #2929.
C. E. Williams Middle School For Creative And Scientific Art
Magnet School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3090 Sanders Road
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1529
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1529
Gr: 6-8 | 1,241 student Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #3030.
Stono Park Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
314 Huntley Drive
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1507
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1507
Gr: PK-5 | 371 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #3131.
Learn4life High School-charleston
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
6209 Rivers Avenue
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 666-6362
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 666-6362
Gr: 9-12 | 134 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 27:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #3232.
Memminger Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
20 Beaufain Street
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7778
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7778
Gr: PK-5 | 415 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #3333.
Matilda F. Dunston Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1825 Remount Road
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 745-7109
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 745-7109
Gr: PK-5 | 491 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #3434.
Sanders-clyde Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
805 Morrison Drive
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7783
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7783
Gr: PK-5 | 353 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #3535.
Mitchell Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2 Perry Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7261
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7261
Gr: PK-5 | 200 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Show 9 more public schools in Charleston, SC (out of 44 total schools)
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Charleston, South Carolina Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Apple Charter School (Closed 2015)
Charter School
1101 Camp Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 795-6877
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 795-6877
Gr: K-8 | 75 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1
Charleston Advancement Academy High School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
1484 Camp Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 494-5521
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 494-5521
Gr: 9-12 | 424 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 39:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
2325 Charleston Regional Parkw
Charleston, SC 29492
(803) 734-8322
Charleston, SC 29492
(803) 734-8322
Gr: PK-2 | 39 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
1825 Camp Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2740
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2740
Gr: 6-8 | 465 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
63 Columbus Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7767
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7767
Gr: PK-6 | 217 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1
1484 Camp Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2784
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2784
Gr: 6-8 | 332 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
1225 Orange Branch
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1520
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1520
Gr: PK-4 | 715 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
721 Wappoo Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1533
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1533
Gr: 6-8 | 323 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
1929 Grimball Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2774
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2774
Gr: 9-12 | 93 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Susan G. Boykin Charter (Closed 2011)
Charter School
4951 Rivers Ave
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 744-8882
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 744-8882
Gr: K-6
1776 William Kennerty Drive
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1546
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1546
Gr: 6-8
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 West Ashley High School.
How many public schools are located in Charleston?
44 public schools are located in Charleston.
What percentage of students in Charleston go to public school?
79% of all K-12 students in Charleston are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Charleston?
Charleston public schools minority enrollment is 47% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public schools average of 53% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Charleston are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Charleston include: Philip Simmons Elementary School vs. Daniel Island School, Carolina Voyager Charter vs. St. Andrew's School Of Math And Science, Springfield Elementary School vs. Drayton Hall Elementary School
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