For the 2025-26 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 15,284 students in Florence, SC (there are , serving 2,076 private students). 88% of all K-12 students in Florence, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Florence, SC are West Florence High School, Royall Elementary School and South Florence High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Florence, SC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Florence have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of South Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public school average of 53% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Florence, SC (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
West Florence High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
221 North Beltline Drive
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8472
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8472
Gr: 9-12 | 1,879 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #22.
Royall Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1101 Cheraw Drive
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8167
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8167
Gr: K-5 | 488 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #33.
South Florence High School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3200 South Irby Street
Florence, SC 29505
(843) 664-8190
Florence, SC 29505
(843) 664-8190
Gr: 9-12 | 1,627 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #44.
Wilson High School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1411 Old Marion Highway
Florence, SC 29506
(843) 664-8440
Florence, SC 29506
(843) 664-8440
Gr: 9-12 | 1,316 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #55.
Lucy T. Davis Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
201 Westfield Drive
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 665-5977
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 665-5977
Gr: K-5 | 576 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #66.
Briggs Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1012 Congaree Drive
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8169
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8169
Gr: K-5 | 467 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #77.
Delmae Heights Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1211 South Cashua Drive
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8448
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8448
Gr: K-5 | 1,004 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #88.
Carver Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
515 North Cashua Drive
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8156
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8156
Gr: K-5 | 589 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #99.
John W. Moore Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
191 Westfield Drive
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8171
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8171
Gr: 6-8 | 1,063 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1010.
Henry Timrod Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1901 East Old Marion Highway
Florence, SC 29506
(843) 664-8454
Florence, SC 29506
(843) 664-8454
Gr: K-5 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #1111.
Mclaurin Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1400 Mcmillan Lane
Florence, SC 29506
(843) 664-8457
Florence, SC 29506
(843) 664-8457
Gr: PK-2 | 547 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1212.
North Vista Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1100 North Irby Street
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8159
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8159
Gr: K-5 | 433 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1313.
Virtus Academy Of South Carolina
Charter School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2407 Pisgah Road
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 799-4032
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 799-4032
Gr: K-10 | 686 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1414.
Greenwood Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2300 East Howe Springs Road
Florence, SC 29505
(843) 664-8451
Florence, SC 29505
(843) 664-8451
Gr: K-5 | 541 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1515.
Wallace Gregg Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
515 Francis Marion Road
Florence, SC 29505
(843) 664-8481
Florence, SC 29505
(843) 664-8481
Gr: K-5 | 333 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #1616.
Williams Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1119 North Irby Street
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8162
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8162
Gr: 6-8 | 819 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #1717.
Southside Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
209 W. Jones Paul Road
Florence, SC 29505
(843) 664-8467
Florence, SC 29505
(843) 664-8467
Gr: 6-8 | 1,093 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1818.
Henry L. Sneed Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1102 Ebenezer Road
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 673-1199
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 673-1199
Gr: 6-8 | 663 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1919.
Theodore Lester Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3501 East Palmetto Street
Florence, SC 29506
(843) 664-8459
Florence, SC 29506
(843) 664-8459
Gr: 3-5 | 375 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: n/an/a
Advantage Academy
Vocational School
126 East Howe Springs Road
Florence, SC 29505
(843) 664-8464
Florence, SC 29505
(843) 664-8464
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
1400 Woods Road
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 799-6006
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 799-6006
Gr: PK | 187 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: n/an/a
1001 West Sumter Street
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 673-1129
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 673-1129
Gr: PK | 182 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Florence, South Carolina Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
1201 East Ashby Road
Florence, SC 29506
(843) 664-4156
Florence, SC 29506
(843) 664-4156
Gr: PK | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
1001 West Sumter Street
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 673-1129
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 673-1129
Gr: PK | 65 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
Choices Charter (Closed 2015)
Charter School
404 Freight Road
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8993
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8993
Gr: 6-12 | 13 students Minority enrollment: 31%
Palmetto Youth Academy Charter (Closed 2023)
Charter School
1209 North Douglas Street
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 679-7070
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 679-7070
Gr: K-6 | 54 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Florence, SC?
The top ranked public schools in Florence, SC include West Florence High School, Royall Elementary School and South Florence High School.
How many public schools are located in Florence?
22 public schools are located in Florence.
What percentage of students in Florence go to public school?
88% of all K-12 students in Florence are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Florence?
Florence public schools minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public schools average of 53% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Florence are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Florence include: Wilson High School vs. West Florence High School, Southside Middle School vs. Henry L. Sneed Middle School, South Florence High School vs. West Florence High School
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