Best Schools in Central, South Carolina
3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Central?
Use this page to compare every school in Central 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.
D. W. Daniel High
High · Pickens 01. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
R. C. Edwards Middle
Middle · Pickens 01. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Central Academy of the Arts
Elementary · Pickens 01. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Central for 2026 are D. W. Daniel High (7.6/10), R. C. Edwards Middle (6.0/10), and Central Academy of the Arts (5.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
3
in this city
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$220,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
3
in this city
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$220,300
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Central
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 3). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | D. W. Daniel High | 7.6 / 10 |
| 2 | R. C. Edwards Middle | 6.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Central Academy of the Arts | 5.7 / 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
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $53,879
- Median home value
- $220,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 38%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 47%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Central compares
South Carolina rank
#47 of 129
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.3
above South Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$54k
86% of South Carolina median
Schools in this city
3
About Schools in Central, South Carolina
Central, South Carolina is home to 3 schools, including 3 public schools. The city's schools span 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.4 out of 10, schools in Central show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Central is D. W. Daniel High with a composite score of 7.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Central is served by 1 school district: Pickens 01. These districts collectively serve 16,223 students.
Central's community shows 38% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $53,879. The poverty rate in the area is 21.3%.
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
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 485 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.7 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 783 students · 6th–8th | 6.0 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,216 students · 9th–12th | 7.6 |
Schools in Central
Central, South Carolina · 3 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$53,879
Median Home Value
$220,300
Median Rent
$966/mo
Population
15,497
College Educated
38%
Homeownership
47%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
21.3%
Community Profile
Central has a median household income of $53,879. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $220,300, with a median rent of $966/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Carolina
- Elementary
- 1
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
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 Central, South Carolina
How many schools are in Central, South Carolina?
Central has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Central, South Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Central is 6.4 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 Central, South Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Central on MySchoolScout is D. W. Daniel High with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Central, South Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Central on MySchoolScout is Central Academy of the Arts with a composite score of 5.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Central, South Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Central on MySchoolScout is R. C. Edwards Middle with a composite score of 6.0/10.
What is the best high school in Central, South Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Central on MySchoolScout is D. W. Daniel High with a composite score of 7.6/10.
How many school districts serve Central, South Carolina?
Central is served by 1 school district: Pickens 01.
What is the education level in Central, South Carolina?
According to Census data, 38% of adults in Central have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Central, South Carolina?
The median household income in Central is approximately $53,879 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Central, South Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Central is 16.7:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Central, 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.