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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best North Charleston Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 28 public schools serving 16,875 students in North Charleston, SC (there are 9 private schools, serving 1,211 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in North Charleston, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in North Charleston, SC are Fort Dorchester High School, Charleston School Of The Arts and Academic Magnet High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
North Charleston, SC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in North Charleston have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 79% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public school average of 54% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in North Charleston, SC (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
Charleston School Of The Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 87%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5109-b West Enterprise Street
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 529-4990
Gr: 6-12 | 1,102 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #33.
Academic Magnet High School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥95%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5109-a West Enterprise Street
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 746-1300
Gr: 9-12 | 740 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #44.
R. B. Stall High School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3625 Ashley Phosphate Road
North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 764-2200
Gr: 9-12 | 2,135 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #55.
Palmetto Scholars Academy
Charter School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
7499 Dorchester Road
North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 300-4118
Gr: 6-12 | 507 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #66.
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: #77.
Allegro Charter School Of Music
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
4542 Simms Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 321-7104
Gr: 6-12 | 250 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #88.
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: #99.
North Charleston High School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1087 East Montague Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-7140
Gr: 9-12 | 829 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1010.
Malcolm C. Hursey Montessori
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3910 Verde Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-7105
Gr: PK-8 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1111.
Military Magnet Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2950 Carner Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-7102
Gr: 6-12 | 393 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1212.
Greg Mathis Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2872 Azalea Drive
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 557-1611
Gr: 9-12 | 71 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
Rank: #1313.
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: #1414.
North Charleston Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4921 Durant Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-7107
Gr: PK-5 | 329 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #1515.
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: #1616.
North Charleston Creative Arts Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
5200 Lackawanna Boulevard
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 529-2831
Gr: PK-5 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #1717.
W. B. Goodwin Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
5501 Dorchester Road
North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 767-5911
Gr: PK-5 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1818.
Chicora Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3100 Carner Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 746-2210
Gr: 1-5 | 316 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1919.
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: #2020.
Jerry Zucker Middle School Of Science
Magnet School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
6401 Dorchester Road
North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 767-8383
Gr: 6-8 | 513 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #2121.
Mary Ford Early Childhood Learning And Family Center
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19% )
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3180 Thomasina Mcpherson Boule
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-7131
Gr: PK-K | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2222.
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: #2323.
Morningside Middle School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1999 Singley Lane
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-2000
Gr: 6-8 | 552 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: n/an/a
Compass Collegiate Academy
Charter School
5010 Wetland Crossing Road
North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 410-9765
Gr: K-4 | 155 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: n/an/a
Cooper River Center For Advanced Studies
Vocational School
1088 East Montague Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 953-3231
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Meeting Street At Burns
2750 Dorchester Road
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 745-7113
Gr: PK-5 | 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: n/an/a
Meeting Street Brentwood
2685 Leeds Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
(843) 529-3130
Gr: PK-8 | 806 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: n/an/a
Movement School Bridge View
Charter School
4275 Bridge View Drive
North Charleston, SC 29405
(980) 272-4327
Gr: K-1 | 79 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 92%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in North Charleston, SC?
The top-ranked public schools in North Charleston, SC include Fort Dorchester High School, Charleston School Of The Arts and Academic Magnet High School.
How many public schools are located in North Charleston?
28 public schools are located in North Charleston.
What percentage of students in North Charleston go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in North Charleston are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in North Charleston?
North Charleston public schools minority enrollment is 79% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public schools in North Charleston are often viewed compared to one another?

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