2024 Best Schools in the Charleston Area

• Charleston 01, SC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.27 out of 5  294 reviews

Senior: In Academic Magnet High School, you meet students who are not only focused on the academics, but are also friendly and kind individuals to rely on and receive aid with in matters regarding academics, strengthening the community. For clubs and sports, the students attends them with dedication with some even attending despite their busy schedule. The school offer plenty of AP courses to gain college credit and even if those were minimized to the minimal requirement, the honors courses and teachers will teach the necessary skills to strive well in College, making it feels like a breeze compared to their experiences in this school.... Read 294 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 712

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Charleston, SC•

• Private School•

• 1-12

• •
  Rating 4.28 out of 5  69 reviews

Freshman: I've attended the school since 1st grade and it has been so great to have friends from 1st through 9th grade. The teachers really care about my work and about me and have supported me both at school and during my activities outside of school. They have actually come to attend my events! There are many opportunities to get involved in volunteer efforts, special projects, and collaboration with other schools. The course workload can be heavy at times but I understand that it is directly linked to my readiness for college and try to remind myself of this. I really enjoy having the opportunity to compete on multiple sports teams and represent my school.... Read 69 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,059

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Charleston 01, SC•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  270 reviews

Senior: I am in my fourth and final year at SOA and it has been an incredible experience. There are so many amazing opportunities in every major and class for example, Every year the strings and vocal majors get together and put on a Holiday Spectacular at The Gaillard Center in Downtown Charleston. Last year, our top orchestra group traveled to Orlando, Florida where they won 1st place in the National Orchestra Festival (Competition). At the end of this month, we are travelling to New York City to participate in another National Orchestra Competition. The students and faculty at this school are so inclusive and there is definitely something for everyone, you just have to find where you fit in, whether its foodies club, the annual fashion show, or Mock Trial. There are countless opportunities for everyone at SOA.... Read 270 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,086

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Charleston 01, SC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  883 reviews

Senior: Personally, I think wando is a great school for most people. But from my personal experience, i didnt enoy a lot of it only because of other students. I have always been the kind of girl who enjoys learning about her own culture as well as being around people of her culter. Here at wando, there is not much cultural diversity regarding the area we live in. The school is still wonderful and i reccoment it!... Read 883 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,994

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Charter Institute at Erskine, SC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.69 out of 5  35 reviews

Senior: Oceanside is a wonderful school with a flexible schedule. Through having classes only four hours a day, I was able to maintain a good job to help me pay off a car before college. The classes have greatly helped me prepare the best for college, as I’m a high school senior graduating with an associate’s degree. I’ve enjoyed my experience with my math, English and science teachers, and they were always able to help me when I needed tutoring.... Read 35 reviews

• grade A

• Students 649

• Student-teacher ratio 26:1

• Berkeley 01, SC•

• 11-12

• •
  Rating 4.56 out of 5  78 reviews

Senior: This is a great school! The school is comprised of approximately 100 students between the junior and senior classes. The school is located in the TTC Berkeley campus which allows for convenient access to some of the college classes if you're taking it on the Berkeley campus. The teachers and staff here definitely help prepare you for college when it comes to communication skills, coursework, etc. My junior year was basically finishing my high school requirements for graduation then I started taking dual-enrollment classes at TTC. The majority of students who come here graduate with an associate's degree or graduate with quite a few transferrable credits. If your plan is to get an associate's degree when you graduate high school, you definitely should come here. All the college classes you take during the school year are paid for which saves you THOUSANDS of dollars compared to four semesters at a university.... Read 78 reviews

• grade A

• Students 112

• Student-teacher ratio 28:1

• Mount Pleasant, SC•

• Private School•

• 3-12

• •
  Rating 4.83 out of 5  12 reviews

Parent: University School of the Lowcountry is great not only because it provides a challenging and engaging academic experience, but also because of its unique learning outside-the-classroom program. My 7th grader can hold intelligent conversations about local political processes, houses of worship, colleges, historical sites, public utilities-you name it! All learned first-hand through weekly speakers, field trips, or service activities. The teachers are dedicated, offer help when needed and genuinely care about students as learners and individuals. USL promotes a positive school community for students and encourages family involvement. We have been impressed with USL's transparent and frequent communication with parents. We missed the parent open house the year we applied, but they welcomed us to tour and had our son shadow for a day. It was a great way to get to know the school before deciding to attend. This is my son's 3rd year and he still loves it!... Read 12 reviews

• grade A

• Students 85

• Student-teacher ratio 5:1

• Summerville, SC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.36 out of 5  77 reviews

Parent: Pinewood and it's faculty/coaches/administrators are like extended family! The academics are challenging and stimulating for our son. The smaller class sizes help tremendously with more one-on-one learning. He excels at baseball and loves the program with all his heart. Friendships abound! The only negative is that sometimes he doesn't enjoy the lunch that's available all the time - seriously, that's the ONLY negative. WE LOVE PINEWOOD! And recommend it 100% to anyone searching for the perfect place to educate their child/children.... Read 77 reviews

• grade A

• Students 650

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Johns Island, SC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.27 out of 5  26 reviews

Junior: CCS is project-based, meaning a focus on projects instead of testing. It is a very small school, so teachers and students build relationships and teachers push to see students succeed. The lower school seems like a very friendly and safe environment for kids. There are lots of aspects to the upper school meant to prepare students for college. I would say the upper school culture is poor because there is a lack of diversity and people tend to stay in cliques.... Read 26 reviews

• grade A

• Students 320

• Student-teacher ratio 8:1

• Dorchester 02, SC•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  19 reviews

Parent: Good school but teachers give to much homework sometimes. A lot of kids have after school activity's and don't have time for all of that.... Read 19 reviews

• grade A

• Students 791

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Charleston 01, SC•

• K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Niche User: An amazing award winning, nationally recognized arts magnet school that has a curriculum designed for all students from all walks of life. Lottery based enrollment with a very easy quick and straight forward application. In my opinion best elementary school in South Carolina!... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 568

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Charleston 01, SC•

• 2-8

• •
  Rating 4.09 out of 5  22 reviews

Parent: The teachers care about each individual student. Students are held to a high standard, but supported well enough to get there.... Read 22 reviews

• grade A

• Students 560

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Charleston 01, SC•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 899

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Charleston 01, SC•

• 6-8

• grade A

• Students 1,006

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Dorchester 02, SC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  518 reviews

Senior: My overall experience at Ashley Ridge High School has been characterizing, for lack of better words. I would not be the person I am today if I had not attended Ashley Ridge all four years. I had a rough experience freshman and sophomore year but that was for more personal problems rather than anything to do with Ashley Ridge as a school. The administration and staff helped me through my hardest times as a high school student and I have grown so much as an individual because if the staff at Ashley Ridge and I have had the best senior year I could ask for.... Read 518 reviews

• grade A

• Students 2,407

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Charleston, SC•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  30 reviews

Parent: My daughter has attended First Baptist School since the sixth grade. She is now graduating and has enjoyed her tenure there. I feel she is ready for college and will excel there as she did at First Baptist.... Read 30 reviews

• grade A

• Students 427

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Dorchester 02, SC•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 992

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Charleston 01, SC•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 479

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Charleston 01, SC•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 783

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Charleston 01, SC•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 628

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Charleston 01, SC•

• PK, K-8

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  7 reviews

Parent: ECMCS has become a second home to our family. Each of my children have had a unique and incredibly supportive experience as they've gone through primary up to upper elementary so far...middle school is next! We have had different teachers for each child and have found each one to be 100% invested in their educational and mental health. It has truly been a privilege to be invited in and allowed to interact and participate so often as a parent. The feeling of home is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of the school - each administrator, staff and teacher addresses my children by name, knows me and my husband and is so engaged in the whole child. We couldn't imagine being anywhere else for 11 years!... Read 7 reviews

• grade A

• Students 447

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Charleston 01, SC•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  6 reviews

Parent: This is definitely a top school. The teachers go above and beyond to work with and challenge the kids. There is great communication: weekly newsletters, website, & social media pages kept up-to-date, and emails from teachers. Time is also spent on character development- LOTS of clubs and community projects to get involved. I feel like my kids are ready for high school and received a private school education in this sweet close-knit community!... Read 6 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,142

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Charleston 01, SC•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Middle School Student: I wasn't really a smart man prior to being a MMS student, I was lucky enough to be gifted and have teachers that really engaged me in learning. Sadly, the student environment smells of foul lude and other adult topics amongst the students.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A

• Students 1,079

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Charleston 01, SC•

• PK, K-5

• grade A

• Students 658

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Charleston 01, 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 730

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1