For the 2025 school year, there are 89 public schools serving 52,753 students in Charleston County, SC (there are 53 private schools, serving 9,880 private students). 84% of all K-12 students in Charleston County, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%). Charleston County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in South Carolina.
The top ranked public schools in Charleston County, SC are Wando High School, Buist Academy and Oceanside Collegiate Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Charleston County, SC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 53% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 61% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Charleston County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% 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 County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Wando High School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1000 Warrior Way
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 881-8200
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 881-8200
Grades: 9-12
| 2,593 students
Rank: #2 - 32. - 3.
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: #2 - 32. - 3.
Oceanside Collegiate Academy
Charter School
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
580 Faison Road
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 936-7128
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 936-7128
Grades: 9-12
| 653 students
Rank: #44.
Lucy Garrett Beckham High School
(Math: 88% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1560 Mathis Ferry Road
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 856-6790
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 856-6790
Grades: 9-12
| 1,763 students
Rank: #55.
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: #66.
Charleston School Of The Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
5109-b West Enterprise Street
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 529-4990
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 529-4990
Grades: 6-12
| 1,069 students
Rank: #77.
Mt. Pleasant Academy
(Math: 84% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
605 Center Street
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2826
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2826
Grades: PK-5
| 651 students
Rank: #88.
Belle Hall Elementary School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
385 Egypt Road
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2841
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2841
Grades: PK-5
| 657 students
Rank: #99.
Charles Pinckney Elementary School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3300 Thomas Cario Boulevard
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 856-4585
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 856-4585
Grades: 3-5
| 646 students
Rank: #1010.
Sullivan's Island Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2014 Mike Perkis Place
Sullivans Island, SC 29482
(843) 883-3118
Sullivans Island, SC 29482
(843) 883-3118
Grades: PK-5
| 509 students
Rank: #1111.
Mamie P. Whitesides Elementary School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1565 Rifle Range Road
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2838
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2838
Grades: PK-5
| 828 students
Rank: #1212.
East Cooper Montessori Charter
Charter School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1120 Rifle Range Road
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 216-2883
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 216-2883
Grades: PK-8
| 429 students
Rank: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #1515.
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: #1616.
Carolina Park Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3650 Park Avenue Boulevard
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 856-8060
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 856-8060
Grades: PK-5
| 981 students
Rank: #1717.
Thomas C. Cario Middle School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3500 Thomas Cario Boulevard
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 856-4595
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 856-4595
Grades: 6-8
| 1,130 students
Rank: #1818.
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: #1919.
Laing Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2705 Bulrush Basket Lane
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 849-2809
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 849-2809
Grades: 6-8
| 1,024 students
Rank: #2020.
Jennie Moore Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2725 Bulrush Basket Lane
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 849-2815
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 849-2815
Grades: PK-5
| 999 students
Rank: #2121.
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: #22 - 2322. - 23.
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: #22 - 2322. - 23.
James B. Edwards Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
885 Von Kolnitz Road
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2805
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2805
Grades: PK-5
| 763 students
Rank: #2424.
St. Johns High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1518 Main Road
Johns Island, SC 29455
(843) 559-6200
Johns Island, SC 29455
(843) 559-6200
Grades: 9-12
| 423 students
Rank: #2525.
Moultrie Middle School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
645 Coleman Boulevard
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2819
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2819
Grades: 6-8
| 1,135 students
Rank: #2626.
Academic Magnet High School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5109-a West Enterprise Street
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 746-1300
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 746-1300
Grades: 9-12
| 718 students
Rank: #2727.
Rb Stall High School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3625 Ashley Phosphate Road
North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 764-2200
North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 764-2200
Grades: 9-12
| 2,025 students
Rank: #2828.
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: #2929.
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: #3030.
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: #3131.
Palmetto Scholars Academy
Charter School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7499 Dorchester Road
North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 300-4118
North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 300-4118
Grades: 6-12
| 463 students
Rank: #3232.
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: #3333.
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: #3434.
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: #3535.
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
Show 54 more public schools in Charleston County, SC (out of 89 total schools)
Loading...
Charleston County 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
7184 Highway 162
Hollywood, SC 29449
(843) 889-3992
Hollywood, SC 29449
(843) 889-3992
Grades: PK-6
| 169 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
5841 Rivers Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 746-1349
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 746-1349
Grades: K-12
| 424 students
3750 Dorchester Road
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-7113
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-7113
Grades: 4-5
| n/a students
7350 Cross County Road
North Charleston, SC 29418
(803) 625-4135
North Charleston, SC 29418
(803) 625-4135
Grades: K-5
| 84 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
2731 Gordon Street
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-7126
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-7126
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Gates School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
3003 Dunes West Blvd. Suite 2
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 981-2526
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 981-2526
Grades: 1-6
| 109 students
1484 Camp Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2784
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2784
Grades: 6-8
| 332 students
714 Lincoln Road
Mc Clellanville, SC 29458
(843) 577-0970
Mc Clellanville, SC 29458
(843) 577-0970
Grades: 6-12
| 159 students
711 Pinckney Street
Mc Clellanville, SC 29458
(843) 577-0325
Mc Clellanville, SC 29458
(843) 577-0325
Grades: 6-8
| 99 students
1225 Orange Branch
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1520
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1520
Grades: PK-4
| 715 students
2415 Avenue F
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 900-7722
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 900-7722
Grades: K-6
| 62 students
7224 Hwy 162
Hollywood, SC 29449
(843) 889-2391
Hollywood, SC 29449
(843) 889-2391
Grades: 6-8
| 268 students
3795 Spruill Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-7107
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-7107
Grades: PK-5
| 240 students
721 Wappoo Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1533
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 763-1533
Grades: 6-8
| 323 students
Sea Island Youthbuild Charter (Closed 2010)
Charter School
3483 Maybank Hwy
Johns Island, SC 29457
(843) 557-1611
Johns Island, SC 29457
(843) 557-1611
Grades: 7-12
| 59 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 County, SC?
The top ranked public schools in Charleston County, SC include Wando High School, Buist Academy and Oceanside Collegiate Academy. Charleston County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in South Carolina.
How many public schools are located in Charleston County?
89 public schools are located in Charleston County.
What percentage of students in Charleston County go to public school?
84% of all K-12 students in Charleston County are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Charleston County?
Charleston County 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 County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Charleston County include: Oceanside Collegiate Academy vs. Wando High School, Moultrie Middle School vs. Laing Middle School, Thomas C. Cario Middle School vs. Laing Middle School
Recent Articles
What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.
