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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Dorchester County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 38 public schools serving 30,418 students in Dorchester County, SC (there are 11 private schools, serving 2,237 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Dorchester County, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Dorchester County, SC are Ashley Ridge High School, Fort Dorchester High School and Summerville High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Dorchester County, SC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Dorchester County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of South Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Black), which is equal to the South Carolina public school average of 54% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Dorchester County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Ashley Ridge High School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 91%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
9800 Delemar Highway
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 695-4900
Gr: 9-12 | 2,599 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #22.
Fort Dorchester High School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
8500 Patriot Boulevard
North Charleston, SC 29420
(843) 760-4450
Gr: 9-12 | 2,344 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #33.
Summerville High School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1101 Boone Hill Road
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 873-6460
Gr: 9-12 | 3,361 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #44.
Rollings Middle School Of The Arts
(Math: 75% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
815 South Main Street
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 873-3610
Gr: 6-8 | 797 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #55.
Beech Hill Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1001 Beech Hill Road
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 821-3970
Gr: PK-5 | 1,079 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #66.
Cane Bay High School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1624 State Road
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 899-8786
Gr: 9-12 | 2,412 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #77.
Sand Hill Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
324 Gnarly Oak Lane
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 695-5201
Gr: PK-5 | 1,169 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #88.
Summerville Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
835 South Main Street
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 873-2372
Gr: PK-5 | 548 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #99.
William M. Reeves Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1003 Dubose School Road
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 695-2450
Gr: PK-5 | 930 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1010.
James H. Spann Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
901 John Mckissick Way
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 873-3050
Gr: PK-5 | 577 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1111.
Dr. Eugene Sires Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
301 Chandler Creek Road
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 695-5205
Gr: PK-5 | 791 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1212.
Knightsville Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
847 Orangeburg Road
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 873-4851
Gr: PK-5 | 833 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1313.
Woodland High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4128 Highway 78
Dorchester, SC 29437
(843) 563-5956
Gr: 9-12 | 680 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1414.
Fort Dorchester Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
5201 Old Glory Lane
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 832-5550
Gr: PK-5 | 801 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1515.
Nexton Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
200 Scholar Way
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 900-3222
Gr: PK-5 | 944 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1616.
Flowertown Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
20 King Charles Circle
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 871-7400
Gr: PK-5 | 783 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1717.
Newington Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
10 King Charles Circle
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 871-3230
Gr: PK-5 | 862 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1818.
Windsor Hill Arts Infused Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
8600 William Moultrie Drive
North Charleston, SC 29420
(843) 760-9820
Gr: PK-5 | 622 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Clay Hill Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
387 South Railroad Avenue
Ridgeville, SC 29472
(843) 851-7386
Gr: PK-5 | 174 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #19 - 2019. - 20.
Williams Memorial Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
290 South Metts Street
Saint George, SC 29477
(843) 563-3231
Gr: PK-5 | 553 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #2121.
Eagle Nest Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
8640 River Oaks Drive
North Charleston, SC 29420
(843) 695-2460
Gr: PK-5 | 653 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #2222.
Charles B. Dubose Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1005 Dubose School Road
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 875-7012
Gr: 6-8 | 947 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #2323.
Lowcountry Connection Academy
Charter School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1520 Old Trolley Road
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 695-9305
Gr: K-12 | 743 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #2424.
Alston-bailey Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
820 West 5th North Street
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 695-5210
Gr: PK-5 | 646 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #2525.
Gregg Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
500 Green Wave Boulevard
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 871-3150
Gr: 6-8 | 810 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #2626.
Alston Middle School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
500 Bryan Street
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 873-3890
Gr: 6-8 | 732 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #2727.
Sangaree Intermediate
(Math: 31% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
201 School House Lane
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 820-3868
Gr: 3-5 | 521 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #2828.
River Oaks Middle School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
8642 River Oaks Drive
North Charleston, SC 29420
(843) 695-2470
Gr: 6-8 | 728 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #2929.
Pepperhill Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3300 Creola Road
North Charleston, SC 29420
(843) 767-5905
Gr: PK-5 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #3030.
Harleyville Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1650 East Main Street
Dorchester, SC 29437
(843) 462-7671
Gr: PK-5 | 248 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #3131.
Pinehurst Elementary School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
7753 Northside Drive
North Charleston, SC 29420
(843) 824-8728
Gr: 1-5 | 758 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #3232.
Northwoods Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
7763 Northside Drive
North Charleston, SC 29420
(843) 764-2212
Gr: 6-8 | 708 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: n/an/a
Dorchester Career And Technology Center
Vocational School
507 School House Road
Dorchester, SC 29437
(843) 563-2361
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
East Edisto Middle School
1011 Beech Hill Road
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 695-2451
Gr: 6-8 | 1,031 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: n/an/a
Macdougall High School
Alternative School
1516 Old Gilliard Road
Ridgeville, SC 29472
(803) 737-3036
Gr: 9-12 | 4 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1
Show 3 more public schools in Dorchester County, SC (out of 38 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Dorchester County, SC?
The top-ranked public schools in Dorchester County, SC include Ashley Ridge High School, Fort Dorchester High School and Summerville High School.
How many public schools are located in Dorchester County?
35 public schools are located in Dorchester County.
What percentage of students in Dorchester County go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in Dorchester County are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Dorchester County?
Dorchester County public schools minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Black), which is equal to the South Carolina public schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Dorchester County are often viewed compared to one another?

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