Photo: Chris Pruitt · CC BY-SA 3.0Charleston’s public schools outscore 73% of South Carolina districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Charleston, 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 99% 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.
Charleston’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 93 South Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Charleston’s, its schools beat 48%, lower than their 73% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 54% and math 43% across both districts 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
Charleston County spends $18,199 per student and Berkeley County $13,371, against $15,090 across South Carolina (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Charleston Development Academy, James Island Charter High, Orange Grove Charter School, Charleston Charter School for Math and Science, Pattison's Academy for Comprehensive Education, Carolina Voyager Charter, Porter-Gaud School (private), Bishop England High School (private), Ashley Hall School (private), First Baptist School of Charleston (private), Blessed Sacrament Catholic School (private), Meeting Street Academy (private), Mason Preparatory School (private), James Island Christian School (private), Charleston Day School (private), The Charleston Catholic School (private), The Cooper School (private), Addlestone Hebrew Academy (private), Nativity School (private), Trinity Montessori School (private), Charles Towne Montessori School (private), Sundrops Montessori - Daniel Island (private), Ne Miles Early Childhood Development Center (private), Adventist Christian Academy of Charleston (private), Oak Grove Montessori (private) and Harvest Time International Academy (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 Charleston’s grade
B+: better than 73% of South Carolina school districts, #75 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 Charleston, with each school’s own grade.
Charleston runs its own schools through grade 12 (Charleston County School District). From grade PK, students attend the Berkeley County School District, shared with Bonneau, Goose Creek, Hanahan, Jamestown, Moncks Corner, St. Stephen and Summerville. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Charleston
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Above the state in reading
Charleston vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Carolina towns that share Charleston’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston | B+ | Charleston County PK–12 · Berkeley County PK–12 |
| James Island | A | Charleston County |
| Hollywood | A | Charleston County |
| Folly Beach | A | Charleston County |
| North Charleston | A | Charleston County PK–12 · Dorchester School District 2 PK–12 |
| Mount Pleasant | A | Charleston County |
| Goose Creek | B− | Berkeley County |
| Hanahan | B− | Berkeley County |
5 of the 7 neighbors share Charleston County with Charleston for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Charleston
53 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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (West Ashley Center for Advance Studies). 2 duplicate private-school records merged.
Questions about Charleston’s schools
Are Charleston’s schools good?
By South Carolina’s own tests, yes: the public schools Charleston children attend outscore 73% of South Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #75 of 169 South Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 48%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Charleston in?
Two districts: Charleston County School District runs grades PK–12, and Berkeley County School District runs grades PK–12, shared with Bonneau, Goose Creek, Hanahan, Jamestown, Moncks Corner, St. Stephen and Summerville.
Where do Charleston kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: West Ashley High, Philip Simmons High, St. Johns High and Burke High.
What is Charleston’s graduation rate?
87% of the class of 2023 in Charleston County School District graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina.
How much does Charleston spend per student?
$18,199 in Charleston County School District and $13,371 in Berkeley County School District (FY2024), against $15,090 across South Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Charleston?
Yes: Porter-Gaud School (religious, grades 1–12, 1,071 students), Bishop England High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 718 students), Ashley Hall School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 713 students), First Baptist School of Charleston (religious, grades PK–12, 558 students), Blessed Sacrament Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 311 students), Meeting Street Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 305 students), Mason Preparatory School (religious, grades K–8, 300 students), James Island Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 276 students), Charleston Day School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 246 students), The Charleston Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 175 students), The Cooper School (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 153 students), Addlestone Hebrew Academy (religious, grades PK–8, 125 students), Nativity School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 108 students), Trinity Montessori School (religious, grades PK–6, 92 students), Charles Towne Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 71 students), Sundrops Montessori - Daniel Island (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 50 students), Ne Miles Early Childhood Development Center (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 49 students), Adventist Christian Academy of Charleston (religious, grades K–8, 29 students), Oak Grove Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 25 students) and Harvest Time International Academy (religious, grades 12, 2 students). Charleston also has 6 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Charleston families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Charleston → 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.