For the 2026 school year, there are 87 blue ribbon public schools serving 63,225 students in South Carolina.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top-ranked blue ribbon public schools in South Carolina are Buist Academy, Brashier Middle College Charter High School and Hcs Early College High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
South Carolina blue ribbon public schools have an average math proficiency score of 64% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 68% (versus the 52% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public school average of 53% (majority Black).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Schools in South Carolina (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Buist Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
103 Calhoun Street
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7750
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7750
Gr: 3-8 | 537 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #22.
Brashier Middle College Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 90-94% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1830 West Georgia Road Buildin
Simpsonville, SC 29680
(864) 757-1800
Simpsonville, SC 29680
(864) 757-1800
Gr: 9-12 | 484 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #33.
Hcs Early College High School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
2050 Highway 501 East Hgtc
Conway, SC 29528
(843) 349-3131
Conway, SC 29528
(843) 349-3131
Gr: 9-12 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #44.
Fort Mill High School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 97%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
215 North Highway 21 Bypass
Fort Mill, SC 29715
(803) 548-1900
Fort Mill, SC 29715
(803) 548-1900
Gr: 9-12 | 2,041 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Chapin High School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
300 Columbia Avenue
Chapin, SC 29036
(803) 575-5400
Chapin, SC 29036
(803) 575-5400
Gr: 9-12 | 1,630 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #5 - 65. - 6.
Lake Carolina Elementary Lower Campus
(Math: 92% | Reading: 97% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1151 Kelly Mill Road
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 714-1300
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 714-1300
Gr: PK-2 | 504 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #77.
Mayo High For Math Science & Technology
Magnet School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
405 Chestnut Street
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5050
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5050
Gr: 9-12 | 343 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #88.
Sterling School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
99 John Mccarroll Way
Greenville, SC 29607
(864) 355-4480
Greenville, SC 29607
(864) 355-4480
Gr: PK-8 | 713 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #99.
Lexington High School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 95%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2463 Augusta Highway
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 821-1300
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 821-1300
Gr: 9-12 | 2,475 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1010.
Wade Hampton High School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
100 Pine Knoll Drive
Greenville, SC 29609
(864) 355-0100
Greenville, SC 29609
(864) 355-0100
Gr: 9-12 | 1,780 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1111.
Nation Ford High School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 93%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1400 Ao Jones Boulevard
Fort Mill, SC 29715
(803) 835-0000
Fort Mill, SC 29715
(803) 835-0000
Gr: 9-12 | 1,871 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1212.
Mt. Pleasant Academy
(Math: 86% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
605 Center Street
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2826
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2826
Gr: PK-5 | 651 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1313.
Tigerville Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
25 Tigerville Elementary Schoo
Taylors, SC 29687
(864) 355-4600
Taylors, SC 29687
(864) 355-4600
Gr: PK-5 | 280 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1414.
D. W. Daniel High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
140 Blue And Gold Boulevard
Central, SC 29630
(864) 397-2900
Central, SC 29630
(864) 397-2900
Gr: 9-12 | 1,216 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1515.
Belle Hall Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
385 Egypt Road
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2841
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2841
Gr: PK-5 | 657 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1616.
Charles Pinckney Elementary School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3300 Thomas Cario Boulevard
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 856-4585
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 856-4585
Gr: 3-5 | 646 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1717.
Rollings Middle School Of The Arts
(Math: 75% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1635 Beech Hill Road
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 873-3610
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 873-3610
Gr: 6-8 | 805 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Oakview Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
515 Godfrey Road
Simpsonville, SC 29681
(864) 355-7100
Simpsonville, SC 29681
(864) 355-7100
Gr: PK-5 | 855 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Wren Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
226 Roper Road
Piedmont, SC 29673
(864) 850-5950
Piedmont, SC 29673
(864) 850-5950
Gr: PK-5 | 649 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #2020.
Ninety Six High School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
640 South Cambridge Street
Ninety Six, SC 29666
(864) 543-2911
Ninety Six, SC 29666
(864) 543-2911
Gr: 9-12 | 445 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #2121.
Beech Hill Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1001 Beech Hill Road
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 821-3970
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 821-3970
Gr: PK-5 | 1,209 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2222.
Chapman High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1420 Compton Bridge Road
Inman, SC 29349
(864) 472-2836
Inman, SC 29349
(864) 472-2836
Gr: 9-12 | 1,068 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #2323.
Woodruff High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
710 Cross Anchor Highway
Woodruff, SC 29388
(864) 476-7045
Woodruff, SC 29388
(864) 476-7045
Gr: 9-12 | 808 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #2424.
Clemson Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
581 Berkeley Drive
Clemson, SC 29631
(864) 397-1500
Clemson, SC 29631
(864) 397-1500
Gr: PK-5 | 766 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #2525.
Lake Murray Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
205 Wise Ferry Road
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 821-3100
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 821-3100
Gr: PK-5 | 867 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #2626.
Brockman Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2245 Montclair Drive
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 790-6743
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 790-6743
Gr: PK-5 | 266 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #2727.
Coosa Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
45 Middle Road
Beaufort, SC 29907
(843) 322-6100
Beaufort, SC 29907
(843) 322-6100
Gr: PK-5 | 449 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #2828.
Gold Hill Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1000 Dave Gibson Boulevard
Fort Mill, SC 29708
(803) 548-8250
Fort Mill, SC 29708
(803) 548-8250
Gr: K-5 | 847 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #2929.
Wright Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1136 Wright School Road
Belton, SC 29627
(864) 296-1776
Belton, SC 29627
(864) 296-1776
Gr: K-5 | 199 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #3030.
Howe Hall Aims Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
115 Howe Hall Road
Goose Creek, SC 29445
(843) 820-3899
Goose Creek, SC 29445
(843) 820-3899
Gr: K-5 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #3131.
Fairfield Magnet For Math And Science
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1647 Us Highway 321 Bypass Nor
Winnsboro, SC 29180
(803) 635-4810
Winnsboro, SC 29180
(803) 635-4810
Gr: PK-6 | 205 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #3232.
Ocean Bay Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
950 International Drive
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-8400
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-8400
Gr: PK-5 | 1,109 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #3333.
Jennie Moore Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2725 Bulrush Basket Lane
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 849-2815
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 849-2815
Gr: PK-5 | 999 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #3434.
Midway Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
180 Midway Road
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 821-0300
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 821-0300
Gr: PK-5 | 864 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #35 - 3635. - 36.
Royall Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1101 Cheraw Drive
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8167
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8167
Gr: K-5 | 488 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Show 52 more public schools in South Carolina (out of 87 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked blue ribbon public schools in South Carolina?
The top-ranked blue ribbon public schools in South Carolina include Buist Academy, Brashier Middle College Charter High School and Hcs Early College High School.
How many blue ribbon public schools are located in South Carolina?
87 blue ribbon public schools are located in South Carolina.
What is the racial composition of students in South Carolina?
South Carolina blue ribbon public schools minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public schools average of 53% (majority Black).
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