Best Schools in Bluffton, South Carolina
12 schools · 6 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Bluffton?
Use this page to compare every school in Bluffton by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
River Ridge Academy
Elementary · Beaufort 01. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Bluffton High
High · Beaufort 01. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Red Cedar Elementary
Elementary · Beaufort 01. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Bluffton for 2026 are River Ridge Academy (9.0/10), Bluffton High (8.5/10), and Red Cedar Elementary (8.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 10 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
12
10 public · 2 private
Avg Score
7.2
out of 10
Median Home
$418,450
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
12
10 public · 2 private
Avg Score
7.2
out of 10
Median Home
$418,450
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Rates 9.0/10 despite 42% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.0 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Bluffton schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Bluffton
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (10 rated schools; 12 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | River Ridge Academy | 9.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Bluffton High | 8.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Red Cedar Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 4 | H. E. Mccracken Middle | 7.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Pritchardville Elementary | 7.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Bluffton Elementary | 7.2 / 10 |
| 7 | Bluffton Middle | 7.1 / 10 |
| 8 | May River High | 7.1 / 10 |
| 9 | Michael C. Riley Elementary | 6.4 / 10 |
| 10 | Okatie Elementary | 6.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.2/10
- Median household income
- $93,749
- Median home value
- $418,450
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 48%
- Avg commute
- 27 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 85%
75% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Bluffton compares
South Carolina rank
#12 of 133
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.9
above South Carolina avg (6.3)
Median household income
$94k
150% of South Carolina median
Schools in this city
12
Beaufort 01 runs Bluffton's public schools
10 public schools. Beaufort 01 is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Bluffton is a Beaufort 01 school (10 of 10).
Among 10 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 6.1 to 9.0 — the spread is inside Bluffton, not a citywide average.
About Schools in Bluffton, South Carolina
Bluffton, South Carolina is home to 12 schools, including 10 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.2 out of 10, schools in Bluffton perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Bluffton is River Ridge Academy with a composite score of 9.0/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Bluffton is served by 1 school district: Beaufort 01. These districts collectively serve 21,489 students.
Bluffton's community shows 48% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $93,749. The poverty rate in the area is 6.8%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,138 students · Pre-K–8th | 9.0 |
| 2 | 643 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.2 |
| 3 | 939 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.5 |
| 4 | 714 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.2 |
| 5 | 718 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.4 |
| 6 | 599 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.1 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 892 students · 6th–8th | 7.8 |
| 2 | 917 students · 6th–8th | 7.1 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,384 students · 9th–12th | 8.5 |
| 2 | 1,665 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May River Montessori SchoolPrivate 74 students · Pre-K–9th | Not Rated |
| 2 | Cross SchoolsPrivate 480 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Bluffton
Bluffton, South Carolina · 12 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$93,749
Median Home Value
$418,450
Median Rent
$2,011/mo
Population
74,102
College Educated
48%
Homeownership
85%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
6.8%
Community Profile
Bluffton has a median household income of $93,749. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $418,450, with a median rent of $2,011/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Carolina
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
- Other
- 2
Resources
School District
Other Major Cities in South Carolina
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Bluffton, South Carolina
How many schools are in Bluffton, South Carolina?
Bluffton has 12 schools, including 10 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Bluffton, South Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Bluffton is 7.2 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Bluffton, South Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Bluffton on MySchoolScout is River Ridge Academy with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Bluffton, South Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Bluffton on MySchoolScout is River Ridge Academy with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Bluffton, South Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Bluffton on MySchoolScout is H. E. Mccracken Middle with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best high school in Bluffton, South Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Bluffton on MySchoolScout is Bluffton High with a composite score of 8.5/10.
How many school districts serve Bluffton, South Carolina?
Bluffton is served by 1 school district: Beaufort 01.
What is the education level in Bluffton, South Carolina?
According to Census data, 48% of adults in Bluffton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Bluffton, South Carolina?
The median household income in Bluffton is approximately $93,749 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Bluffton, South Carolina?
Yes, Bluffton has 2 private schools alongside 10 public schools. The top-rated private school is May River Montessori School with a score of 7.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Bluffton, South Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Bluffton is 12.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Bluffton, South Carolina?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, South Carolina Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.