Best Schools in Chester, South Carolina
7 schools · 4 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Chester?
Use this page to compare every school in Chester 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.
Hawthorne Christian Academy
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Chester Senior High
High · Chester 01. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Academy for Teaching and Learning
Elementary · Chester 01. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Chester for 2026 are Hawthorne Christian Academy (6.7/10), Chester Senior High (6.1/10), and Academy for Teaching and Learning (5.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 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
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.2
out of 10
Median Home
$142,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
5.2
out of 10
Median Home
$142,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Chester
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawthorne Christian Academy | 6.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Chester Senior High | 6.1 / 10 |
| 3 | Academy for Teaching and Learning | 5.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Chester Park Elementary School for the Arts | 4.9 / 10 |
| 5 | Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry | 4.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Chester Park Elementary School of Literacy and Technology | 4.3 / 10 |
| 7 | Chester Middle | 3.9 / 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
- 5.2/10
- Median household income
- $50,141
- Median home value
- $142,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 15%
- Avg commute
- 31 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 74%
0% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Chester compares
South Carolina rank
#108 of 129
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.9
below South Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$50k
80% of South Carolina median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in Chester, South Carolina
Chester, South Carolina is home to 7 schools, including 6 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.2 out of 10, schools in Chester 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 Chester is Hawthorne Christian Academy with a composite score of 6.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Chester is served by 1 school district: Chester 01. These districts collectively serve 4,590 students.
Chester's community shows 15% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $50,141. The poverty rate in the area is 22.0%.
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
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 319 students · Kindergarten–8th | 5.9 |
| 2 | 344 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.9 |
| 3 | 382 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.8 |
| 4 | 305 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.3 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 468 students · 6th–8th | 3.9 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 741 students · 9th–12th | 6.1 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawthorne Christian Academy
Private
69 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.7 |
Schools in Chester
Chester, South Carolina · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$50,141
Median Home Value
$142,200
Median Rent
$864/mo
Population
19,181
College Educated
15%
Homeownership
74%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
22.0%
Community Profile
Chester has a median household income of $50,141. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $142,200, with a median rent of $864/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Carolina
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 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 Chester, South Carolina
How many schools are in Chester, South Carolina?
Chester has 7 schools, including 6 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Chester, South Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Chester is 5.2 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 Chester, South Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Chester on MySchoolScout is Hawthorne Christian Academy with a composite score of 6.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Chester, South Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Chester on MySchoolScout is Academy for Teaching and Learning with a composite score of 5.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Chester, South Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Chester on MySchoolScout is Chester Middle with a composite score of 3.9/10.
What is the best high school in Chester, South Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Chester on MySchoolScout is Chester Senior High with a composite score of 6.1/10.
How many school districts serve Chester, South Carolina?
Chester is served by 1 school district: Chester 01.
What is the education level in Chester, South Carolina?
According to Census data, 15% of adults in Chester have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Chester, South Carolina?
The median household income in Chester is approximately $50,141 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Chester, South Carolina?
Yes, Chester has 1 private school alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Hawthorne Christian Academy with a score of 6.7/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Chester, South Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Chester is 13.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Chester, 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.