2023 Best Elementary Schools in the Charleston Area

• Charleston, SC•

• Private School•

• 1-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  62 reviews

Senior: A Porter-Gaud education has provided me with a glimpse of what to expect in college. The courses are interesting and they prepared me for the next step in my education journey. The teachers were both helpful and took great interest in my future and provided assistance when necessary. Further, the interaction among students and faculty was an educational experience in and of itself. Besides the learning, I have met with what I consider to be lifelong friends!... Read 62 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,059

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Charleston, SC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.52 out of 5  60 reviews

Middle School Student: I think that Ashley Hall is a wonderful school even though I am in seventh grade it has already given me amazing social skills and prepares you for the next big thing every year. The school has some amazing teachers who engage with their students and the school has some amazing girls in the school. I have been at this school since Second grade and I have definitely made some life long friends. there are some ups and downs with girls at the school but most of the girls are very respectful to their teachers and their peers. even though we all seem like snobs not all of us come from backgrounds were our parents have lots of money. we all work very hard to make sure that the other girls in our grade feel seen and heard. the school also offers some great art electives, the four art electives are Theater, Art, Orchestra, and choir. You have two modern languages to chose from and you have the choice to take latin. overall I love this school and your daughter might also love it aswell.... Read 60 reviews

• grade A

• Students 637

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Dorchester School District No. 2, SC•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  4 reviews

Parent: Awesome school! My daughter goes here and has nothing but great things to say about this school. I have had great with communications with all of her teachers and they have been nothing but the best.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A

• Students 877

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Charleston County School District, SC•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 575

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Charleston County School District, SC•

• 1-8

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  21 reviews

Freshman: Nothing can compare to the strong and supportive relationships with teachers, specifically the middle school teachers from my limited recollections. Superb school, pure and innocent atmosphere compared to high school and other middle schools!... Read 21 reviews

• grade A

• Students 542

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Charleston County School District, SC•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 876

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Dorchester School District No. 2, SC•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 890

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Johns Island, SC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.46 out of 5  24 reviews

Parent: We absolutely love the education that both of my kids received at CCS. Both attended from middle school until graduation and they both received multiple top college acceptances along with scholarships. But it is more than college acceptances - they both developed a love of learning. They also learned to be advocates for themselves and others. I am grateful for their intern experience in high school because it helped them choose a career path instead of being undecided in college. I would work 2 jobs over and over again so that my kids could attend CCS!... Read 24 reviews

• grade A

• Students 320

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Charleston County School District, SC•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 550

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Charleston County School District, SC•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 619

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Charleston County School District, SC•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 951

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Summerville, SC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  66 reviews

Junior: I love Pinewood Preparatory School! I enrolled to Pinewood my sophomore year the students, staff ,and faculty has made me feel welcome since day one. My school has not only prepared me for college but it has also prepared me for my future after college. Pinewood’s academic program is amazing! This school challenges and pushes students to do their very best which I love. I can’t forget to mention the environment at Pinewood. This school makes you never want to leave. I have attended Pinewood for 2 years now making next year my last year , sadly and I would like to say that I enjoy every second, minute , and day on campus. The teachers loves to help, listen and engage with every student. Students are very welcoming, friendly and caring. Being at Pinewood it’s like having another family. This school is not a very big school, it’s a small campus which makes communication easy. Pinewood is the best decision I ever made.... Read 66 reviews

• grade A

• Students 650

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Charleston County School District, SC•

• 3-5

• grade A

• Students 622

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Charleston County School District, SC•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: I’ve toured many schools in search of a school that offered diverse learning opportunities and a child-centered environment. We started this school in 2019-2020 and watching ECMCS transition seemingly without effort into virtual and back again has been nothing short of amazing. The leadership and teachers communicated with parents every step of the way.... Read 1 review

• grade A

• Students 405

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Dorchester School District No. 2, SC•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  3 reviews

Works Here: My experience at James H. Spann Elementary was very nice. I started working there in 2016. The staff was very polite and helpful. They have a team system that everyone follows. The moment I walked in this school I felt like I was at home. The atmosphere was full of love and excitement. The way that the teachers show compassion to the children was outstanding. I worked with children in one of the special need classes and loved it. Children need to feel supported and safe and the school made them feel important. Everyone was a team player and that is why I loved this school so much.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A

• Students 580

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Charleston County School District, SC•

• PK, K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 474

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Charleston County School District, SC•

• PK, K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 709

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Charleston County School District, SC•

• PK, K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 624

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Dorchester School District No. 2, SC•

• PK, K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 867

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Charleston County School District, SC•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  4 reviews

Alum: I attended Montesorri Community School of Charleston from preschool though sixth grade. At that time, the middle school had not yet been created. I graduated nine years ago, so this review is dated, but I've only heard great things since then. I attended the school before the new building was built. It was a very small and tight knit community. Although the school has expanded, I've been told that this is still mostly true. I loved the school so much. The Montessori element was what made it so great. It's too much to explain here, but I highly recommend independently researching the Montessori method of teaching. The teachers were all wonderful, many of whom still work there today.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 270

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Charleston County School District, SC•

• PK, K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 667

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Charleston County School District, SC•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 2.75 out of 5  4 reviews

Alum: The administration knows 99% of all the students by name. There are always parents at the school volunteering in numerous areas. Teachers are always in contact with parents, formulating ways to help the students achieve their potential. A majority of the faculty and staff have been at the school for numerous years. There is not a lot of turnover. At the end of the year, the grade level teachers get together and discuss each student who is moving up, and choose, as a group, who they feel would be the best teacher for each student, so they will have the best chance at success. They certainly make you feel like family.... Read 4 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 1,170

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Charleston County School District, SC•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: We love the math and science focus, and appreciate the availability of arts programs and school clubs.... Read 1 review

• grade A minus

• Students 704

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Dorchester School District No. 2, SC•

• PK, K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 655

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Charleston County School District, SC•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  1 review

High School Sophomore: My overall experience of this school has been great. I have made close friends and met wonderful people that inspire me. My favorite experiences include but aren't limited to: homecoming, clubs, sports, and friends. This school is unique because it has a good blend of people from different areas, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds. Every day, we learn something new even outside the classroom. I would choose this school because of its people.... Read 1 review

• grade A minus

• Students 694

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1