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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Charleston Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 11 public high schools serving 6,351 students in Charleston, SC.
The top-ranked public high schools in Charleston, SC are James Island Charter High School, Berkeley County Middle College High School and West Ashley High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Charleston, SC public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 64% (versus the South Carolina public high school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 79% (versus the 76% statewide average). High schools in Charleston have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of South Carolina public high schools.
Charleston, SC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 77%, which is less than the South Carolina average of 84%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Charleston Charter School For Math And Science, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in South Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 50% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public high school average of 52% (majority Black).

Best Public High Schools in Charleston, SC (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
James Island Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1000 Fort Johnson Road
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 762-2754
Gr: 9-12 | 1,612 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #22.
Berkeley County Middle College High School
(Math: ≥90% | Reading: ≥90% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
7000 Rivers Avenue Bldg 700 St
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 899-8110
Gr: 11-12 | 117 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #33.
West Ashley High School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4060 West Wildcat Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 573-1201
Gr: 9-12 | 2,069 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #44.
Philip Simmons High School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3080 River Village Drive
Charleston, SC 29492
(843) 471-2960
Gr: 9-12 | 797 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #55.
Burke High School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
244 President Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 579-4815
Gr: 9-12 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #66.
Charleston Charter School For Math And Science
Charter School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1002 King Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 720-3085
Gr: 6-12 | 573 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #77.
Lowcountry Acceleration Academy
Charter School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
5935 Rivers Avenue Suite 101a
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 804-6778
Gr: 9-12 | 619 students Student-teacher ratio: 41:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #88.
Learn4life High School-charleston
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
6209 Rivers Avenue
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 666-6362
Gr: 9-12 | 169 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #99.
Pattison's Academy For Comprehensive Education
Charter School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
721 Wappoo Road
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 402-7850
Gr: PK-12 | 53 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: n/an/a
Palmetto Excel
Charter School
2150 Eagle Drive
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 329-9662
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
West Ashley Center For Advance Studies
Vocational School
4066 West Wildcat Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29414
(854) 216-0800
Gr: 9-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public high schools in Charleston, SC?
The top-ranked public high schools in Charleston, SC include James Island Charter High School, Berkeley County Middle College High School and West Ashley High School.
How many public high schools are located in Charleston?
11 public high schools are located in Charleston.
What is the racial composition of students in Charleston?
Charleston public high schools minority enrollment is 50% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public high schools average of 52% (majority Black).

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