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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Darlington County Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public preschools serving 2,992 students in Darlington County, SC.
The top-ranked public preschools in Darlington County, SC are Lamar-spaulding Elementary School, Bay Road Elementary School and St. John's Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Darlington County, SC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the South Carolina public pre school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 33% (versus the 48% statewide average). Pre schools in Darlington County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public preschool average of 55% (majority Black).

Best Public Preschools in Darlington County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: 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 preschools in Darlington County, SC?
The top-ranked public preschools in Darlington County, SC include Lamar-spaulding Elementary School, Bay Road Elementary School and St. John's Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Darlington County?
7 public preschools are located in Darlington County.
What is the racial composition of students in Darlington County?
Darlington County public preschools minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public preschools average of 55% (majority Black).

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