2019 Best Schools in the Charleston AreaAbout this List

Academic Magnet High School

• Charleston County School District, SC
• 9-12
• 218

Senior: As far as receiving a quality education, this school is perfect---not only does it have knowledgeable teachers, the classes are challenging and require diligence and critical thinking. In this sense, it certainly prepares a student for college and beyond. However, this school is completely draining, and many students leave because it has caused them mental health issues, relentless stress, anxiety, and feelings of incompetence. If you're willing to potentially go through these issues, I would strongly recommend coming to this school. Despite its difficulty, Academic Magnet is a place of student unity and quality academics.
Read 218 Reviews

• A+

• 647 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Porter-Gaud School

• Private School
• Charleston, SC
• 1-12
• 47

Parent: Porter-Gaud has an unbeatable mix of a broad array of classes from regular classes to AP, state championship winning athletics (with nationally recognized athletes), and a strong Christian foundation (but one that is, at the same time, supportive of many diverse faiths including Jewish, Muslim and non-believers.) Leans 60/40 more towards boys because of its history as a boys’ school and an outstanding all girls’ school in town to compete with, but the girls who attend PG love it and don’t feel marginalized or minority. Great school spirit, nice families, top notch teachers who attended such schools as Stanford, Williams, William and Mary, and other top schools themselves. Small class sizes average about 14 in a class, but some classes might have just 5 or 6 kids in it depending on what it is. Excellent college placement program & staff. Warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Read 47 Reviews

• A+

• 942 Students
• 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Ashley Hall School

• Private School
• Charleston, SC
• PK, K-12
• 34

Niche User: My daughter went to school here for 16 years, then attended Rice University. This school is so wonderful! She loved her teachers and they inspired her to become a great writer and a leader. She has excelled in college and has held top leadership positions on Honor Council and as President of her Residential College (and many others). Ashley Hall School has heart and soul, and will offer your child skills for them to go out into the world competitive, confident and high achieving. I cannot say enough good things about this school.
Read 34 Reviews

• A+

• 672 Students
• 7:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Wando High School

• Charleston County School District, SC
• 9-12
• 703

Senior: It’s a very big school, my senior class has almost 1,000 students in it. It gets me ready for the big college I’m going to. There’s so many different types of teachers that you will experience learning from. There’s some that can be very difficult to learn from, sometimes you need to learn on your own. At Wando there’s so many great opportunities, there’s warm and welcoming clubs and sports teams. Their sports teams are the best in the state for almost all of them. There’s classes that you didn’t even think you can take in highschool, only in college. I’m taking classes that could only be offered in college. But you can get college credit for it, so you can save money and graduate college early. There’s such a diversity in students at the school. There’s friends for anyone! It’s overall the best school I’ve been to in my whole life. I recommend it for anyone. It’s truly intimidating at first because of the size of the school.
Read 703 Reviews

• A+

• 4,068 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Jane Edwards Elementary School

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

• A

• 53 Students
• 4:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Fort Dorchester Elementary School

• Dorchester School District No. 2, SC
• PK, K-5
• 3

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 3 Reviews

• A

• 1,206 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Charleston School of the Arts

• Charleston County School District, SC
• 6-12
• 213

Alum: I survived! Every SOA student will complain about their terrible teachers and its true there are more than a handful. However, the Math department is getting better with the help of Ms. Mahoney (Calculus teacher), and the new Algebra teacher. The History department is VERY solid. ajority of the 2017 graduate class are declared science and arts majors in college. Our students are well rounded as the teachers actually try to form bonds with the students. The arts is such a huge part of the student lives and shapes them into beautiful people. Though the methods of this school may be arbitrary, less than 10 students from the 2017 decided not to attend college/take a gap year, a large handful committed to Clemson University, University of South Carolina, and College of Charleston. Others committed to colleges up north and a few pursued global.
Read 213 Reviews

• A

• 1,109 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Rollings Middle School of the Arts

• Dorchester School District No. 2, SC
• 6-8
• 17

Alum: If I could put together the best aspects of any middle school to make the perfect one, it would be Rollings.
Read 17 Reviews

• A

• 655 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Beech Hill Elementary School

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

• A

• 1,280 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Montessori Community School

• Charleston County School District, SC
• PK, K-8
• 4

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

• A

• 234 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School

• Charleston County School District, SC
• K-5

• A

• 585 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

James H. Spann Elementary School

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

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 2 Reviews

• A

• 833 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Joseph R. Pye Elementary School

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

• A

• 880 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Orange Grove Elementary Charter School

• Charleston County School District, SC
• PK, K-6
• 2

• A

• 919 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Bishop England High School

• Private School
• Charleston, SC
• 9-12
• 15

Alum: Bishop England is definitely not for everyone, but it was amazing for me! Public schools in Charleston are improving, but not great, and the quality of teachers and overall environment at BE was by far the best of any high schools in the area. Guidance can be lacking for students looking to attend colleges out of state, but the counselors have been making an effort to improve this. Whatever college you decide to go to, you will be well prepared from an academic and personal discipline standpoint.
Read 15 Reviews

• A

• 669 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Berkeley County Middle College High School

• Berkeley County School District, SC
• 11-12
• 58

Senior: I love the freedom and the fact we get treated like actual college students. If we are ever in need to help with a problem there is always a teacher available. I love the fact that everyone including the students care about your success. It is a great place and environment to be involved with!
Read 58 Reviews

• A

• 105 Students
• 26:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Charles Pinckney Elementary School

• Charleston County School District, SC
• 3-5

• A-

• 1,143 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Belle Hall Elementary School

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

• A-

• 693 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Knightsville Elementary School

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

• A-

• 1,466 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Buist Academy

• Charleston County School District, SC
• K-8
• 15

Middle School Student: I have gone to Buist for nine years and it has been such a good fit for me. The classes are challenging, interactive, and stimulating. I strongly believe that this school has set me up to become an extremely successful person in the future.
Read 15 Reviews

• A-

• 473 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Mamie Whitesides Elementary School

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

• A-

• 675 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Mt. Pleasant Academy

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

• A-

• 568 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Flowertown Elementary School

• Dorchester School District No. 2, SC
• PK, K-5
• 4

Parent: What a wonderful school! The staff, the teachers, and especially the Principal, treat those children as their own and wants all of them to succeed! The PTA is very invovled and makes for a welcoming environment and makes one want to get involved! Keep up the wonderful job!
Read 4 Reviews

• A-

• 1,046 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

James B. Edwards Elementary School

• Charleston County School District, SC
• PK, K-5
• 1

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

• A-

• 662 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Jennie Moore Elementary School

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

• A-

• 1,123 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio