Photo: Townofbluffton · CC BY-SA 3.0Bluffton’s public schools outscore 74% of South Carolina districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Bluffton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within South Carolina, not nationally.
From South Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Bluffton’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 56 South Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Bluffton’s, its schools beat 61%, lower than their 74% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 53% and math 44% in spring 2022, against 52% and 41% statewide; 87% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $17,357 per student, against $15,090 across South Carolina (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Five elementary schools, then three middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Cross Schools (private), St. Gregory the Great Catholic School (private) and May River Montessori School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Bluffton’s grade
B+: better than 74% of South Carolina school districts, #69 of 169 South Carolina towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the South Carolina average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Bluffton, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Bluffton · depends on your address
River Ridge Academy
Grades PK–8 · 1,134 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Bluffton Middle
Grades 6–8 · 921 students · 14:1 students per teacher
H. E. McCracken Middle
Grades 6–8 · 846 students · 12:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Bluffton · depends on your address
River Ridge Academy
Grades PK–8 · 1,134 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Bluffton Middle
Grades 6–8 · 921 students · 14:1 students per teacher
H. E. McCracken Middle
Grades 6–8 · 846 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Bluffton · depends on your address
River Ridge Academy
Grades PK–8 · 1,134 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Bluffton Middle
Grades 6–8 · 921 students · 14:1 students per teacher
H. E. McCracken Middle
Grades 6–8 · 846 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Bluffton · depends on your address
May River High
Grades 9–12 · 1,731 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Bluffton High
Grades 9–12 · 1,375 students · 15:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Bluffton · depends on your address
May River High
Grades 9–12 · 1,731 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Bluffton High
Grades 9–12 · 1,375 students · 15:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Bluffton · depends on your address
May River High
Grades 9–12 · 1,731 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Bluffton High
Grades 9–12 · 1,375 students · 15:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Bluffton · depends on your address
May River High
Grades 9–12 · 1,731 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Bluffton High
Grades 9–12 · 1,375 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Bluffton’s public schools are run by Beaufort County School District, which also serves Beaufort, Hilton Head Island, Port Royal and Yemassee. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Bluffton vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Carolina towns that share Bluffton’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Bluffton | B+ | Beaufort County |
Every school in Bluffton
12 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with South Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Bluffton’s schools
Are Bluffton’s schools good?
By South Carolina’s own tests, yes: the public schools Bluffton children attend outscore 74% of South Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #69 of 169 South Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 61%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Bluffton in?
Beaufort County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 21,050 students in 32 schools (2024–25).
Where do Bluffton kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: May River High and Bluffton High.
What is Bluffton’s graduation rate?
87% of the class of 2023 in Beaufort County School District graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina.
How much does Bluffton spend per student?
$17,357 in Beaufort County School District (FY2024), against $15,090 across South Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Bluffton?
Yes: Cross Schools (religious, grades PK–12, 694 students), St. Gregory the Great Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 180 students) and May River Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–9, 151 students).
Parents talk
What Bluffton families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Bluffton → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within South Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.