For the 2025 school year, there are 11 public high schools serving 6,014 students in Charleston, SC.
The top ranked public high schools in Charleston, SC are James Island Charter High School, West Ashley High School and Philip Simmons High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Charleston, SC public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 64% (versus the South Carolina public high school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 79% (versus the 77% statewide average). High schools in Charleston have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of South Carolina public high schools.
Charleston, SC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 76%, which is less than the South Carolina average of 84%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Charleston Charter School For Math And Science, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in South Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public high school average of 52% (majority Black).
Best Public High Schools in Charleston, SC (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
Pattison's Academy For Comprehensive Education
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
721 Wappoo Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 402-7850
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 402-7850
Gr: PK-12 | 50 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: n/an/a
5935 Rivers Ave Suite #101-A
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 804-6778
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 804-6778
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Palmetto Excel
Charter School
2150 Eagle Drive
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 329-9662
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 329-9662
Gr: 9-12 | 1 student
Rank: n/an/a
West Ashley Center For Advance Studies
Vocational School
4066 West Wildcat Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 852-2524
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 852-2524
Gr: 9-12
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 high schools in Charleston, SC?
The top ranked public high schools in Charleston, SC include James Island Charter High School, West Ashley High School and Philip Simmons High School.
How many public high schools are located in Charleston?
11 public high schools are located in Charleston.
What is the racial composition of students in Charleston?
Charleston public high schools minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public high schools average of 52% (majority Black).
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