For the 2025 school year, there are 32 public middle schools serving 18,475 students in Charleston County, SC. The top ranked public middle schools in Charleston County, SC are Buist Academy, Charleston School Of The Arts and East Cooper Montessori Charter. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Charleston County, SC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the South Carolina public middle school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 57% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in Charleston County have an average ranking of 10/10, which is in the top 5% of South Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 46% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public middle school average of 52% (majority Black).
Best Public Middle Schools in Charleston County (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.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
Lowcountry Leadership Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
5139 Gibson Road
Hollywood, SC 29449
(843) 889-5527
Hollywood, SC 29449
(843) 889-5527
Grades: K-12
| 537 students
Rank: #1212.
Cape Romain Environmental Education Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1101 Old Cemetery Road
Mc Clellanville, SC 29458
(843) 887-3323
Mc Clellanville, SC 29458
(843) 887-3323
Grades: PK-8
| 186 students
Rank: #1313.
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: #1414.
Bridges Preparatory School
Charter School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1100 Boundary St
Hollywood, SC 29449
(843) 982-7737
Hollywood, SC 29449
(843) 982-7737
Grades: K-12
| 1,355 students
Rank: #1515.
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: #1616.
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: #1717.
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: #1818.
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: #1919.
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: #2020.
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: #2121.
Haut Gap Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1861 Bohicket Road
Hollywood, SC 29449
(843) 559-6418
Hollywood, SC 29449
(843) 559-6418
Grades: 6-8
| 433 students
Rank: #2222.
Allegro Charter School Of Music
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2731 Gordon Street
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 321-7104
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 321-7104
Grades: 6-12
| 216 students
Rank: #2323.
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: #2424.
Military Magnet Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2950 Carner Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-7102
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-7102
Grades: 6-12
| 400 students
Rank: #2525.
St. James Santee Elementary-middle
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
8900 Highway 17 North
Mc Clellanville, SC 29458
(843) 723-0863
Mc Clellanville, SC 29458
(843) 723-0863
Grades: PK-8
| 170 students
Rank: #2626.
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
Rank: #2727.
Meeting Street Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2685 Leeds Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 735-7102
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 735-7102
Grades: PK-8
| 1,153 students
Rank: #2828.
Baptist Hill High School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
5117 Baptist Hill Road
Hollywood, SC 29449
(843) 889-2276
Hollywood, SC 29449
(843) 889-2276
Grades: 6-12
| 508 students
Rank: #2929.
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
Grades: PK-12
| 50 students
Rank: #3030.
Jerry Zucker Middle School Of Science
Magnet School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
6401 Dorchester Road
North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 767-8383
North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 767-8383
Grades: 6-8
| 501 students
Rank: #3131.
Morningside Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1999 Singley Lane
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-2000
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-2000
Grades: 6-8
| 555 students
Rank: #3232.
Simmons Pinckney Middle School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
244 President Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7789
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-7789
Grades: 6-8
| 199 students
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 middle schools in Charleston County, SC?
The top ranked public middle schools in Charleston County, SC include Buist Academy, Charleston School Of The Arts and East Cooper Montessori Charter. Charleston County has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in South Carolina.
How many public middle schools are located in Charleston County?
32 public middle schools are located in Charleston County.
What is the racial composition of students in Charleston County?
Charleston County public middle schools minority enrollment is 46% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public middle schools average of 52% (majority Black).
Which public middle schools in Charleston County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Charleston County include: Moultrie Middle School vs. Laing Middle School, Thomas C. Cario Middle School vs. Laing Middle School, Laing Middle School vs. Thomas C. Cario Middle School
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