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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Sumter County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 29 public schools serving 15,150 students in Sumter County, SC (there are 12 private schools, serving 2,390 private students). 87% of all K-12 students in Sumter County, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Sumter County, SC are Alice Drive Elementary School, Crestwood High School and Sumter High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Sumter County, SC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 24% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Sumter County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public school average of 54% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Sumter County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Alice Drive Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
251 Alice Drive
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0857
Gr: PK-5 | 530 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #22.
Crestwood High School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2000 Oswego Road
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 469-6200
Gr: 9-12 | 1,105 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #33.
Sumter High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2580 Mccrays Mill Road
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 481-4480
Gr: 9-12 | 2,122 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #44.
Shaw Heights Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1495 Frierson Road
Shaw Afb, SC 29152
(803) 666-2335
Gr: 2-3 | 404 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #55.
Millwood Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
24 Pinewood Road
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0648
Gr: PK-5 | 602 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #66.
Lakewood High School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
350 Old Manning Road
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 506-2700
Gr: 9-12 | 1,013 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #77.
Wilder Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
975 South Main Street
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 773-5723
Gr: PK-5 | 299 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #88.
Alice Drive Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
40 Miller Road
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0821
Gr: 6-8 | 783 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #99.
Manchester Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
200 East Clark Street
Pinewood, SC 29125
(803) 452-5454
Gr: PK-5 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #1010.
Rafting Creek Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4100 Highway 261 North
Rembert, SC 29128
(803) 432-2994
Gr: PK-5 | 125 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1111.
Pocalla Springs Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2060 Bethel Church Road
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 481-5800
Gr: PK-5 | 609 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1212.
Lower Lee Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
5142 St. Charles Road
Mayesville, SC 29104
(803) 428-3637
Gr: PK-5 | 128 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1313.
High Hills Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4971 Frierson Road
Shaw Afb, SC 29152
(803) 499-3327
Gr: 4-5 | 435 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #1414.
Hillcrest Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4355 Peach Orchard Road
Dalzell, SC 29040
(803) 499-3341
Gr: 6-8 | 365 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1515.
Kingsbury Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
825 Kingsbury Road
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 775-6244
Gr: PK-5 | 514 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1616.
Lemira Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
952 Fulton Street
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0658
Gr: PK-5 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1717.
West Lee Elementary School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
55 West Lee School Road
Rembert, SC 29128
(803) 428-3147
Gr: PK-5 | 98 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #1818.
Furman Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3400 Bethel Church Road
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 481-8519
Gr: 6-8 | 700 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1919.
Crosswell Drive Elementary School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
301 Crosswell Drive
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0679
Gr: PK-5 | 481 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2020.
Bates Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
715 Estate Street
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-0711
Gr: 6-8 | 481 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #2121.
Ebenezer Middle School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3440 Ebenezer Road
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 469-8571
Gr: 6-8 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #2222.
Willow Drive Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
26 Willow Drive
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 773-5796
Gr: PK-5 | 504 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #2323.
Cherryvale Elementary School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1420 Furman Drive
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 494-8200
Gr: PK-5 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #2424.
R. E. Davis College Preparatory Academy
(Math: 6% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
345 Eastern School Road
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 495-3247
Gr: PK-8 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #2525.
Chestnut Oaks Middle School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 16%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1200 Oswego Road
Sumter, SC 29153
(803) 775-7272
Gr: 6-8 | 339 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: n/an/a
Lewis High School
Alternative School
8200 State Farm Road
Rembert, SC 29128
(803) 896-3454
Gr: 9-12 | 7 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: n/an/a
Liberty Steam Charter School
Charter School
15 Church Street
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 830-5966
Gr: K-4 | 730 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: n/an/a
Oakland Primary
5415 Oakland Drive
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 499-3366
Gr: PK-1 | 520 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: n/an/a
Sumter Career And Technology Center
Vocational School
2612 Mccray's Mill Road
Sumter, SC 29154
(803) 481-8575
Gr: 9-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Sumter County, SC?
The top-ranked public schools in Sumter County, SC include Alice Drive Elementary School, Crestwood High School and Sumter High School.
How many public schools are located in Sumter County?
29 public schools are located in Sumter County.
What percentage of students in Sumter County go to public school?
87% of all K-12 students in Sumter County are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Sumter County?
Sumter County public schools minority enrollment is 75% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Sumter County are often viewed compared to one another?

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