For the 2025 school year, there are 14 public elementary schools serving 6,180 students in Darlington County, SC.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Darlington County, SC are Carolina Elementary School, Butler Academy and Lamar-spaulding Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Darlington County, SC public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 30% (versus the South Carolina public elementary school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 47% statewide average). Elementary schools in Darlington County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public elementary school average of 53% (majority Black).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Darlington County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Carolina Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
719 West Carolina Avenue
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 857-3230
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 857-3230
Grades: 1-5
| 213 students
Rank: #22.
Butler Academy
Charter School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
710 South 5th Street
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 287-2399
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 287-2399
Grades: K-7
| 350 students
Rank: #33.
Lamar-spaulding Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5232 Lamar Highway 401
Lamar, SC 29069
(843) 398-6370
Lamar, SC 29069
(843) 398-6370
Grades: PK-5
| 500 students
Rank: #44.
North Hartsville Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
110 School Drive
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 383-3115
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 383-3115
Grades: 1-5
| 473 students
Rank: #55.
Spaulding Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
400 East Cartersville Highway
Lamar, SC 29069
(843) 326-7625
Lamar, SC 29069
(843) 326-7625
Grades: 6-8
| 209 students
Rank: #66.
St. John's Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
140 Park Street
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5130
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5130
Grades: PK-5
| 567 students
Rank: #77.
Darlington Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
150 Pinedale Drive
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5088
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5088
Grades: 6-8
| 895 students
Rank: #88.
Bay Road Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1251 Bay Road
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 398-6300
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 398-6300
Grades: PK-5
| 553 students
Rank: #99.
Brockington Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
413 Brockington Road
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-2500
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-2500
Grades: 3-5
| 311 students
Rank: #1010.
Hartsville Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1427 Fourteenth Street
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 857-3121
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 857-3121
Grades: 6-8
| 872 students
Rank: #1111.
Rosenwald Elementary Middle School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
508 Church Street
Society Hill, SC 29593
(843) 398-2700
Society Hill, SC 29593
(843) 398-2700
Grades: PK-8
| 65 students
Rank: #1212.
J. L. Cain Elementary School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
607 First Street
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-6220
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-6220
Grades: PK-5
| 569 students
Rank: #1313.
Thornwell School For The Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
437 West Carolina Avenue
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 383-3127
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 383-3127
Grades: 1-5
| 192 students
Rank: n/an/a
1010 Indian Branch Road
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5070
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5070
Grades: PK-2
| 411 students
Darlington County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
400 Wells Street
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5080
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5080
Grades: 3-5
| n/a students
607 First Street
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5020
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5020
Grades: PK-2
| n/a students
214 North Darlington Avenue
Lamar, SC 29069
(843) 326-7575
Lamar, SC 29069
(843) 326-7575
Grades: PK-2
| n/a students
204 East Pearl Street
Lamar, SC 29069
(843) 326-7666
Lamar, SC 29069
(843) 326-7666
Grades: 3-5
| n/a students
325 Washington Street
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 383-3141
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 383-3141
Grades: 1-2
| n/a students
214 Clyde Road
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 857-3270
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 857-3270
Grades: 3-5
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Darlington County, SC?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Darlington County, SC include Carolina Elementary School, Butler Academy and Lamar-spaulding Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Darlington County?
14 public elementary schools are located in Darlington County.
What is the racial composition of students in Darlington County?
Darlington County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public elementary schools average of 53% (majority Black).
Which public elementary schools in Darlington County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Darlington County include: Thornwell School For The Arts vs. North Hartsville Elementary School, St. John's Elementary School vs. J. L. Cain Elementary School, Butler Academy vs. North Hartsville Elementary School
Recent Articles
Can Naviance Succeed Improve College and Career Readiness?
Learn about a new student assessment system, Naviance Succeed, which provides tools and support to increase student college and career readiness. A number of school districts are using the tool this year in hopes of improving student performance through more accurate assessment process than are currently available.
Do You Need After School Day Care? Public Schools May Be the Solution
Learn about how your child's public school may be the best source of after school and vacation day care.
The Link Between Education and Incarceration: The NAACP Report
Education and the rate of incarceration have been linked in a recent NAACP report. Learn about the report and the troubling findings.
