For the 2025 school year, there are 44 public schools serving 23,295 students in Charleston, SC (there are 32 private schools, serving 6,414 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 51% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 41%), 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
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Buist Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 91% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
103 Calhoun Street
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7750
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7750
Grades: 3-8
| 537 students
Rank: #22.
James Island Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 91%)
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
| 1,597 students
Rank: #33.
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
Grades: K-8
| 1,146 students
Rank: #44.
West Ashley High School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4060 West Wildcat Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 573-1201
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 573-1201
Grades: 9-12
| 2,043 students
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
Grades: PK-8
| 281 students
Rank: #66.
Orange Grove Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 79%)
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
| 1,169 students
Rank: #77.
Stiles Point Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 76%)
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
| 813 students
Rank: #88.
Harbor View Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 72%)
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
| 662 students
Rank: #99.
Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1871 Wallace School Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1555
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1555
Grades: PK-5
| 617 students
Rank: #1010.
Philip Simmons High School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 91%)
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
| 809 students
Rank: #1111.
St. Andrew's School Of Math And Science
Magnet School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
30 Chadwick Drive
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1503
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1503
Grades: PK-5
| 733 students
Rank: #1212.
Burke High School
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
244 President Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 579-4815
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 579-4815
Grades: 9-12
| 359 students
Rank: #1313.
Drayton Hall Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 61%)
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
| 655 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Murray-lasaine Montessori
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
691 Riverland Drive
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2765
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2765
Grades: PK-8
| 338 students
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Philip Simmons Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2095 Seven Sticks Drive
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2580
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2580
Grades: PK-4
| 545 students
Rank: #1616.
Oakland Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
505-a Arlington Drive
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1510
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1510
Grades: PK-5
| 525 students
Rank: #1717.
James Island Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1872 Grimball Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-8240
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-8240
Grades: PK-5
| 616 students
Rank: #1818.
Lowcountry Acceleration Academy
Charter School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
5935 Rivers Avenue Suite 101a
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 804-6778
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 804-6778
Grades: 9-12
| 462 students
Rank: #1919.
Camp Road Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1825 Camp Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2784
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2784
Grades: 6-8
| 857 students
Rank: #2020.
Carolina Voyager Charter
Charter School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
721 Wappoo Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 203-3891
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 203-3891
Grades: K-8
| 392 students
Rank: #2121.
Learn4life High School-charleston
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6209 Rivers Avenue
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 666-6362
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 666-6362
Grades: 9-12
| 134 students
Rank: #2222.
Springfield Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2130 Pinehurst Avenue
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1538
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1538
Grades: PK-5
| 674 students
Rank: #2323.
Charleston Charter School For Math And Science
Charter School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1002 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 720-3085
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 720-3085
Grades: 6-12
| 559 students
Rank: #2424.
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
Grades: K-8
| 274 students
Rank: #2525.
James Simons Montessori
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
741 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7763
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7763
Grades: PK-8
| 371 students
Rank: #2626.
Charleston Progressive
Magnet School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
382 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 720-2967
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 720-2967
Grades: PK-5
| 203 students
Rank: #2727.
Charleston Development Academy
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
233 Line Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 722-2689
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 722-2689
Grades: PK-8
| 168 students
Rank: #2828.
Malcolm C. Hursey Montessori
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4542 Simms Street
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 745-7105
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 745-7105
Grades: PK-8
| 475 students
Rank: #2929.
Philip Simmons Middle School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2065 Seven Sticks Drive
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2590
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2590
Grades: 5-8
| 454 students
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
Grades: PK-5
| 371 students
Rank: #3131.
C. E. Williams Middle School For Creative And Scientific Art
Magnet School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3090 Sanders Road
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1529
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 763-1529
Grades: 6-8
| 1,241 students
Rank: #3232.
Memminger Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
20 Beaufain Street
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7778
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7778
Grades: PK-5
| 415 students
Rank: #3333.
Mitchell Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2 Perry Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7261
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7261
Grades: PK-5
| 200 students
Rank: #3434.
A. C. Corcoran Elementary School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
8585 Vistavia Road
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 764-2218
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 764-2218
Grades: PK-5
| 716 students
Rank: #3535.
Deer Park Middle School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2263 Otranto Road
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 990-5200
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 990-5200
Grades: 6-8
| 300 students
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
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
Charleston Advancement Academy High School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
1484 Camp Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 494-5521
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 494-5521
Grades: 9-12
| 424 students
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
721 Wappoo Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1533
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1533
Grades: 6-8
| 323 students
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?
44 public schools are located in Charleston.
What percentage of students in Charleston go to public school?
78% 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, Philip Simmons Middle School vs. Daniel Island School, Springfield Elementary School vs. Drayton Hall Elementary School
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