For the 2024-25 school year, there are 29 public schools serving 15,407 students in Sumter County, SC (there are 13 private schools, serving 2,579 private students). 86% of all K-12 students in Sumter County, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Sumter County, SC are Crestwood High School, Alice Drive Elementary School and Millwood Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Sumter County, SC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 21% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Sumter County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public school average of 52% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Sumter County (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Crestwood High School
Magnet School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2000 Oswego Road
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 469-6200
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 469-6200
Grades: 9-12
| 1,100 students
Rank: #22.
Alice Drive Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
251 Alice Drive
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0857
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0857
Grades: PK-5
| 560 students
Rank: #33.
Millwood Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
24 Pinewood Road
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0648
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0648
Grades: PK-5
| 682 students
Rank: #44.
Sumter High School
Magnet School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2580 Mccrays Mill Road
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 481-4480
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 481-4480
Grades: 9-12
| 2,289 students
Rank: #55.
Shaw Heights Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1495 Frierson Road
Shaw Afb, SC 29152
(803) 666-2335
Shaw Afb, SC 29152
(803) 666-2335
Grades: 2-3
| 442 students
Rank: #66.
Lakewood High School
Magnet School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
350 Old Manning Road
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 506-2700
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 506-2700
Grades: 9-12
| 1,036 students
Rank: #77.
Wilder Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
975 South Main Street
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 773-5723
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 773-5723
Grades: PK-5
| 376 students
Rank: #88.
Alice Drive Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
40 Miller Road
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0821
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0821
Grades: 6-8
| 841 students
Rank: #99.
Hillcrest Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4355 Peach Orchard Road
Dalzell, SC 29040
(803) 499-3341
Dalzell, SC 29040
(803) 499-3341
Grades: 6-8
| 364 students
Rank: #1010.
Pocalla Springs Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2060 Bethel Church Road
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 481-5800
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 481-5800
Grades: PK-5
| 652 students
Rank: #1111.
Kingsbury Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
825 Kingsbury Road
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 775-6244
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 775-6244
Grades: PK-5
| 612 students
Rank: #1212.
High Hills Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4971 Frierson Road
Shaw Afb, SC 29152
(803) 499-3327
Shaw Afb, SC 29152
(803) 499-3327
Grades: 4-5
| 424 students
Rank: #1313.
Rafting Creek Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4100 Highway 261 North
Rembert, SC 29128
(803) 432-2994
Rembert, SC 29128
(803) 432-2994
Grades: PK-5
| 134 students
Rank: #1414.
Lemira Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
952 Fulton Street
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0658
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0658
Grades: PK-5
| 402 students
Rank: #1515.
Lower Lee Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
5142 St. Charles Road
Mayesville, SC 29104
(803) 428-3637
Mayesville, SC 29104
(803) 428-3637
Grades: PK-5
| 175 students
Rank: #1616.
Furman Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3400 Bethel Church Road
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 481-8519
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 481-8519
Grades: 6-8
| 729 students
Rank: #1717.
Manchester Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
200 East Clark Street
Pinewood, SC 29125
(803) 452-5454
Pinewood, SC 29125
(803) 452-5454
Grades: PK-5
| 383 students
Rank: #1818.
West Lee Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
55 West Lee School Road
Rembert, SC 29128
(803) 428-3147
Rembert, SC 29128
(803) 428-3147
Grades: PK-5
| 100 students
Rank: #1919.
Cherryvale Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1420 Furman Drive
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 494-8200
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 494-8200
Grades: PK-5
| 534 students
Rank: #2020.
Bates Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
715 Estate Street
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0711
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0711
Grades: 6-8
| 569 students
Rank: #2121.
Ebenezer Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3440 Ebenezer Road
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 469-8571
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 469-8571
Grades: 6-8
| 371 students
Rank: #2222.
Willow Drive Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
26 Willow Drive
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 773-5796
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 773-5796
Grades: PK-5
| 551 students
Rank: #2323.
Crosswell Drive Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
301 Crosswell Drive
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0679
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0679
Grades: PK-5
| 460 students
Rank: #2424.
R. E. Davis College Preparatory Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
345 Eastern School Road
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 495-3247
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 495-3247
Grades: PK-8
| 369 students
Rank: #2525.
Chestnut Oaks Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 3% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1200 Oswego Road
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 775-7272
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 775-7272
Grades: 6-8
| 396 students
Rank: n/an/a
Lewis High School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
8200 State Farm Road
Rembert, SC 29128
(803) 896-3454
Rembert, SC 29128
(803) 896-3454
Grades: 9-12
| 1 students
Rank: n/an/a
Liberty Steam Charter School
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
15 Church Street
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 830-5966
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 830-5966
Grades: K-2
| 331 students
Rank: n/an/a
Oakland Primary
Magnet School
5415 Oakland Drive
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 499-3366
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 499-3366
Grades: PK-1
| 524 students
Rank: n/an/a
Sumter Career And Technology Center
Vocational School
Magnet School
Magnet School
2612 Mccray's Mill Road
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 481-8575
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 481-8575
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Sumter County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
5355 Cane Savannah Road
Wedgefield, SC 29168
(803) 494-2661
Wedgefield, SC 29168
(803) 494-2661
Grades: PK-5
| 129 students
825 Kingsbury Rd
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 775-6244
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 775-6244
Grades: PK-5
| 694 students
Lieber Correctional Institution (Closed 2015)
Alternative School
136 Wilborn Avenue
Rembert, SC 29128
(843) 896-3701
Rembert, SC 29128
(843) 896-3701
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
4300 East Brewington Road
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 495-8014
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 495-8014
Grades: 6-8
| 142 students
1200 Oswego Road
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 934-8286
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 934-8286
Grades: 6
| 139 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Sumter County, SC?
The top ranked public schools in Sumter County, SC include Crestwood High School, Alice Drive Elementary School and Millwood Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Sumter County?
29 public schools are located in Sumter County.
What percentage of students in Sumter County go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Sumter County are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Sumter County?
Sumter County public schools minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public schools average of 52% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Sumter County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Sumter County include: Bates Middle School vs. Alice Drive Middle School, Chestnut Oaks Middle School vs. Alice Drive Middle School, Crestwood High School vs. Sumter High School
Recent Articles
College Application Requirement for High School Graduation? DC Weighs Possibility
The article discusses a proposal in Washington D.C. to make college applications a requirement for high school graduation. It examines the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a policy, including its impact on graduation rates and college attendance. The piece also considers similar initiatives in other states and the debate surrounding this approach
Bribing Students to Get Good Grades: The Debate
This piece explores the controversial practice of offering monetary rewards to students for good grades. It examines studies conducted in various cities, discussing the effectiveness of such programs and the ethical concerns they raise. The article presents arguments from both supporters and critics of this approach to student motivation.
September 27, 2024
Understanding RubricsThis article explores the fundamental principles of rubrics in education, focusing on their role as assessment tools. It breaks down the key components of rubrics, including criteria, performance levels, and descriptors. The piece also delves into the two main types of rubrics - holistic and analytic - providing authoritative definitions and explaining their unique applications in educational settings.
