2022 Best Schools in the Charleston Area

Academic Magnet High School

• Charleston County School District, SC
• 9-12
• Rating 4.25 out of 5  268 reviews

Junior: The Academic Magnet High School is definitely something to consider applying to, or consider attending if you have already been accepted. It is generally a great experience, especially with the courses and overall academics. It is noticably smaller than other larger public schools, but the school suits most people who are dedacated in their studies or who have already been accepted. It is competative though, and there will be times where you'll compare yourself to others. For me, it was mostly during my freshman year. Besides that, there is an adequate variety of sport teams. The teams may get competative for you as well, and I would advise to participate in sports you have at least some sort of familiarity with already. If not, I would definitely research some of the basics of the certain sport you are interested in trying. Ultimately, this school can get competative, but I like to think that it's worth it in the end. Besides some social troubles, the academics are nearly flawless!
Read 268 Reviews

• grade A+

• 687 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Porter-Gaud School

• Private School
• CHARLESTON, SC
• 1-12
• Rating 4.23 out of 5  57 reviews

Junior: The opportunities for Porter-Gaud students are incredible and have impacted my life forever. It is really easy to establish a relationship with the teachers because of the class size and accesible office hours. The spirit at games and during homecoming week is so fun especially when you're on the court or field. The administration does a wonderful job addressing any problems head on and effectively. The honor code at Porter-Gaud is unique and establishes great values that will follow us throughout life. I would recommend this school to any of my peers for high school, middle school, and even lower school because academically you will be challenged in a way that is productive. I have never felt unsafe on campus even at night following sports games or after school activities . In regards to the options for activities but there are a lot of different sports, academic clubs, nonacademic clubs, and artistic activities but the great thing is anyone can get involved.
Read 57 Reviews

• grade A+

• 942 Students
• 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Charleston School of the Arts

• Charleston County School District, SC
• 6-12
• Rating 3.85 out of 5  255 reviews

Senior: Great school for students interested in the arts. The band program I am in is top notch! All the teachers in each art discipline are knowledgable and well-versed. A friendly environment, easy to 'find your village' of friends, and good academic course selections as well.
Read 255 Reviews

• grade A+

• 1,117 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Ashley Hall School

• Private School
• CHARLESTON, SC
• PK, K-12
• Rating 3.55 out of 5  56 reviews

Senior: Ashley Hall is an all-girls private school in Charleston. Ashey Hall does very well preparing you for college and academically being able to move on to more difficult assignments. Your teachers are always there for you for any questions or extra help. The facility goes out of its way to make holidays and occasions extra special by doing fun skits or singing. I would change the size of the school to make it a little bigger, although other people like the small feel of our community.
Read 56 Reviews

• grade A

• 637 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Wando High School

• Charleston County School District, SC
• 9-12
• Rating 3.98 out of 5  836 reviews

Senior: I have enjoyed my three and a half years at Wando High School. It has a diverse student body affording you the opportunity to make friends from many different backgrounds. There is a wide variety of classes available to aid students prepare for their future. I have been able to take AP classes and now in my senior year, college classes. Mirroring the variety of classes are the many clubs, sports, the arts and music classes available. I have been in chorus since freshman year and was honored to be accepted into the Show Choir for my senior year. If I was to say there was a negative lurking at Wando it would be the cafeteria food. Even with fast food available, you can only eat so much of it before a peanut butter and jelly sandwich from home looks good!
Read 836 Reviews

• grade A

• 3,890 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Berkeley County Middle College High School

• Berkeley County School District, SC
• 11-12
• Rating 4.52 out of 5  71 reviews

Senior: I have really enjoyed this school! I feel that they provide the best opportunity to earn college credit while in high school. I have been able to attend college full-time my senior year, and create my own schedule. The class size and staff is small, so the teachers provide a great support system!
Read 71 Reviews

• grade A

• 105 Students
• 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Fort Dorchester Elementary School

• 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

• 983 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Rollings Middle School of the Arts

• Dorchester School District No. 2, SC
• 6-8
• Rating 3.8 out of 5  20 reviews

Freshman: Great faculty and great overall atmosphere! Always had plenty to do extra curriculum wise and great academic opportunities. Made me feel ready for high school, already have 5 credits.
Read 20 Reviews

• grade A

• 742 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School

• Charleston County School District, SC
• K-5

• grade A

• 610 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Buist Academy

• Charleston County School District, SC
• K-8
• Rating 4.15 out of 5  20 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 20 Reviews

• grade A

• 516 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Beech Hill Elementary School

• Dorchester School District No. 2, SC
• PK, K-5

• grade A

• 941 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Carolina Park Elementary

• Charleston County School District, SC
• PK, K-5

• grade A

• 905 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Laing Middle School

• Charleston County School District, SC
• 6-8

• grade A

• 1,168 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Moultrie Middle School

• Charleston County School District, 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

• 903 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Oceanside Collegiate Academy

• Charter Institute at Erskine, SC
• 9-12
• Rating 4.67 out of 5  18 reviews

Junior: The school itself is still growing and getting bigger each year, but the community is amazing. Everybody knows everybody and everybody loves everybody! The academics are great! They challenge you but don’t make you dread doing schoolwork. Everything in the classrooms is very straight to the point. There’s no fooling around, students are there to go to class, get their schoolwork done, and then go to their sports practice. The school holds academics and athletics at the same importance, the goal is to produce student athletes that will already be used to a packed schedule like the ones a college athlete would have. The sports administration watches all athlete’s grades to make sure no one is struggling or falling behind on their schoolwork. Teachers offer tutoring and students often tutor other students as well. They school is great, I have loved attending Oceanside and I cannot wait to graduate from an amazing school!
Read 18 Reviews

• grade A

• 662 Students
• 34:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Mt. Pleasant Academy

• Charleston County School District, SC
• PK, K-5

• grade A

• 637 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Belle Hall Elementary School

• Charleston County School District, SC
• PK, K-5

• grade A

• 700 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Jennie Moore Elementary School

• Charleston County School District, SC
• PK, K-5

• grade A

• 1,014 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Palmetto Scholars Academy

• South Carolina Public Charter School District, SC
• 6-12
• Rating 4.01 out of 5  72 reviews

Senior: Palmetto Scholars Academy is a wonderful school that is relatively small and is bustling when exerience and talented teachers.

The school has dual enrollement classes, FBLA, Mission Design, alongside other competitions to keep your student engaged within the school. The school itself has a growing music program and is pushing through these trying times with online classes to better fit the current environment.

The teachers always intend to know their students and to be able to help them in their times of need with support from school conselors always being a constant.

The school has a wide range of classes available including AP Calculus AB to GSSM's Accelerate program. Students are given many decisions and be informed about possible scholarship opportunities, volunteer service, internships and of organizations such as National Honor Society.

Overall a wonderful experience for gifted students as the school is intended to care for gifted and talented individuals.
Read 72 Reviews

• grade A minus

• 528 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Bishop England High School

• Private School
• CHARLESTON, SC
• 9-12
• Rating 4.06 out of 5  48 reviews

Junior: Bishop England High School is beyond standards of your typical public school. At Bishop England High School, the expectations are set high with everyone who attends. The academics play a huge role and they really pay off! Many diverse and top Ivey League schools are always accepting students from Bishop England High School because of the high academic standards. Much work is assigned, but it really prepares you for college and the future ahead. The sports programs are top notch. No matter what sport, it will not let you down. It will develop you to peak performance and will develop you in skill you need.
Read 48 Reviews

• grade A minus

• 668 Students
• 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Charleston Collegiate School

• Private School
• JOHNS ISLAND, SC
• PK, K-12
• Rating 4.13 out of 5  16 reviews

Parent: As parents, we were initially drawn to the overall program approach to hands-on learning. Over time, we have been extremely impressed with the collaborative culture and full commitment to our son. We feel the faculty go above and beyond to provide him with individualized attention to academics, care and support. We have no doubt that he will be well prepared for Middle School. The teachers are simply fantastic and we are enjoying getting to know other families in the community which we feel are very warm and welcoming.
Read 16 Reviews

• grade A minus

• 320 Students
• 6:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Thomas C. Cario Middle School

• Charleston County School District, SC
• 6-8
• Rating 4.2 out of 5  5 reviews

Parent: My son went through Cario Middle School several years ago. I loved it back then and still love it now that my daughter is going through. They have added so many related arts classes. Also I LOVE the Guidance Department. The Band, Chorus, Orchestra and Drama are top notch here at this school. The band teacher has taken it to a whole new level. They sound Great!!!
Read 5 Reviews

• grade A minus

• 1,134 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Pinewood Preparatory School

• Private School
• SUMMERVILLE, SC
• PK, K-12
• Rating 4.19 out of 5  52 reviews

Alum: I just graduated after 14 years at Pinewood! I am forever thankful to have gone to this school. Everyone is so compassionate and kind—it really is a family and a home. The teachers are amazing and truly care about the students. They are excellent motivators and mentors. I will definitely keep in touch with several of the teachers I had. The academics are top notch and really prepares a student for college. The class sizes are small which leads to an intimate learning setting where students are able to ask questions and speak their minds. The athletics are up & coming. After winning a state championship in soccer this year, all the other schools better watch out. My favorite thing about Pinewood is the community. Bleed blue forever!
Read 52 Reviews

• grade A minus

• 650 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Sullivan's Island Elementary School

• Charleston County School District, SC
• PK, K-5

• grade A minus

• 510 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Charles Pinckney Elementary School

• Charleston County School District, SC
• 3-5

• grade A minus

• 692 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio