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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Darlington County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 21 public schools serving 9,487 students in Darlington County, SC (there are 7 private schools, serving 1,015 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Darlington County, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Darlington County, SC are Sc Governor's School For Science And Mathematics, Mayo High For Math Science & Technology and Hartsville High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Darlington County, SC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Darlington County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of South Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 65% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public school average of 54% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Darlington County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Sc Governor's School For Science And Mathematics
(Math: ≥95% | Reading: ≥95% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
401 Railroad Avenue
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 383-3902
Gr: 11-12 | 296 students Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #22.
Mayo High For Math Science & Technology
Magnet School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
405 Chestnut Street
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-2650
Gr: 9-12 | 309 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #33.
Hartsville High School
Magnet School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
701 Lewellyn Avenue
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 383-3130
Gr: 9-12 | 1,129 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #44.
Lamar High School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
216 North Darlington Avenue
Lamar, SC 29069
(843) 326-5543
Gr: 9-12 | 268 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #55.
Darlington High School
Magnet School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
525 Spring Street
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5140
Gr: 9-12 | 965 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #66.
Carolina Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
719 West Carolina Avenue
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 857-3230
Gr: 1-5 | 212 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #77.
Lamar-spaulding Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
5232 Lamar Highway 401
Lamar, SC 29069
(843) 398-6370
Gr: PK-5 | 496 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #88.
Butler Academy
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
710 South 5th Street
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 287-2399
Gr: K-8 | 393 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #99.
North Hartsville Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
110 School Drive
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 383-3115
Gr: 1-5 | 486 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1010.
Brockington Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
413 Brockington Road
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-2500
Gr: 3-5 | 303 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1111.
Bay Road Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1251 Bay Road
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 398-6300
Gr: PK-5 | 563 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1212.
St. John's Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
140 Park Street
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5130
Gr: PK-5 | 596 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1313.
Darlington Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
150 Pinedale Drive
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5088
Gr: 6-8 | 888 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1414.
Spaulding Middle School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
400 East Cartersville Highway
Lamar, SC 29069
(843) 326-7625
Gr: 6-8 | 228 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1515.
Hartsville Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1427 Fourteenth Street
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 857-3121
Gr: 6-8 | 801 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1616.
J. L. Cain Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
607 First Street
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-2450
Gr: PK-5 | 533 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #1717.
Rosenwald Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
508 Church Street
Society Hill, SC 29593
(843) 398-2700
Gr: PK-5 | 71 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #1818.
Thornwell School For The Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
437 West Carolina Avenue
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 857-3090
Gr: 1-5 | 188 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: n/an/a
Darlington County Institute Of Technology
Vocational School
160 Pinedale Drive
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-4796
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Pate Elementary School
1010 Indian Branch Road
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-5070
Gr: PK-2 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: n/an/a
Southside Early Childhood Center
1615 Blanding Drive
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 383-3310
Gr: PK-K | 360 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 66%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Darlington County, SC?
How many public schools are located in Darlington County?
21 public schools are located in Darlington County.
What percentage of students in Darlington County go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Darlington County are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Darlington County?
Darlington County public schools minority enrollment is 65% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Darlington County are often viewed compared to one another?

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