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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Florence Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 15,297 students in Florence, SC (there are 14 private schools, serving 2,278 private students). 87% of all K-12 students in Florence, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Florence, SC are West Florence High School, Royall Elementary School and South Florence High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Florence, SC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Florence have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of South Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public school average of 54% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Florence, SC (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
West Florence High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
221 North Beltline Drive
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8472
Gr: 9-12 | 1,827 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #22.
Royall Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1101 Cheraw Drive
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8167
Gr: K-5 | 512 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #33.
South Florence High School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3200 South Irby Street
Florence, SC 29505
(843) 664-8190
Gr: 9-12 | 1,580 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #44.
Wilson High School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1411 Old Marion Highway
Florence, SC 29506
(843) 664-8440
Gr: 9-12 | 1,373 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #55.
Lucy T. Davis Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 63%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
201 Westfield Drive
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 665-5977
Gr: K-5 | 632 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #66.
Briggs Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1012 Congaree Drive
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8169
Gr: K-5 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #77.
Delmae Heights Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1211 South Cashua Drive
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8448
Gr: K-5 | 988 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #88.
Carver Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
515 North Cashua Drive
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8156
Gr: K-5 | 615 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #99.
John W. Moore Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
191 Westfield Drive
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8171
Gr: 6-8 | 1,056 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1010.
Henry Timrod Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1901 East Old Marion Highway
Florence, SC 29506
(843) 664-8454
Gr: K-5 | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #1111.
Mclaurin Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1400 Mcmillan Lane
Florence, SC 29506
(843) 664-8457
Gr: PK-2 | 552 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1212.
North Vista Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1200 North Irby Street
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8159
Gr: K-5 | 446 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1313.
Virtus Academy Of South Carolina
Charter School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2407 Pisgah Road
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 799-4032
Gr: K-11 | 756 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #1414.
Greenwood Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2300 East Howe Springs Road
Florence, SC 29505
(843) 664-8451
Gr: K-5 | 530 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #1515.
Wallace Gregg Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
515 Francis Marion Road
Florence, SC 29505
(843) 664-8481
Gr: K-5 | 283 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #1616.
Williams Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1100 North Irby Street
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8162
Gr: 6-8 | 792 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #1717.
Southside Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
209 W. Jones Paul Road
Florence, SC 29505
(843) 664-8467
Gr: 6-8 | 1,138 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #1818.
Henry L. Sneed Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1102 Ebenezer Road
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 673-1199
Gr: 6-8 | 634 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #1919.
Theodore Lester Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3501 East Palmetto Street
Florence, SC 29506
(843) 664-8459
Gr: 3-5 | 362 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: n/an/a
Advantage Academy
Vocational School
126 East Howe Springs Road
Florence, SC 29505
(843) 664-8464
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Child Development Center At Woods Road
1400 Woods Road
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 799-6006
Gr: PK | 189 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: n/an/a
R.n. Beck Child Development Center
1001 West Sumter Street
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 673-1129
Gr: PK | 168 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 84%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Florence, SC?
The top-ranked public schools in Florence, SC include West Florence High School, Royall Elementary School and South Florence High School.
How many public schools are located in Florence?
22 public schools are located in Florence.
What percentage of students in Florence go to public school?
87% of all K-12 students in Florence are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Florence?
Florence public schools minority enrollment is 69% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Florence are often viewed compared to one another?

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