Best Schools in Clinton, South Carolina
7 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Clinton?
Use this page to compare every school in Clinton 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.
Summit Classical School
Elementary · Charter Institute at Erskine. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Clinton Elementary
Elementary · Laurens 56. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Clinton High
High · Laurens 56. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Clinton for 2026 are Summit Classical School (7.7/10), Clinton Elementary (7.3/10), and Clinton High (7.1/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 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
in this city
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$162,900
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
7
in this city
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$162,900
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Clinton
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Summit Classical School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Clinton Elementary | 7.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Clinton High | 7.1 / 10 |
| 4 | Thornwell Charter School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 5 | Clinton Middle | 5.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Eastside Elementary | 4.0 / 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
- 6.3/10
- Median household income
- $54,209
- Median home value
- $162,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 26%
- Avg commute
- 22 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 67%
43% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Clinton compares
South Carolina rank
#53 of 129
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.2
above South Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$54k
87% of South Carolina median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in Clinton, South Carolina
Clinton, South Carolina is home to 7 schools, including 7 public schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.3 out of 10, schools in Clinton 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 Clinton is Summit Classical School with a composite score of 7.7/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Clinton is served by 2 school districts: Laurens 56, Charter Institute at Erskine. These districts collectively serve 27,852 students.
Clinton's community shows 26% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $54,209. The poverty rate in the area is 20.9%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 80 students · Kindergarten–7th | 7.7 |
| 2 | 401 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.3 |
| 3 | 482 students · Kindergarten–5th | 4.0 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 629 students · 6th–8th | 5.9 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 760 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 371 students · Kindergarten–11th | 6.9 |
| 2 | 134 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.5 |
Schools in Clinton
Clinton, South Carolina · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$54,209
Median Home Value
$162,900
Median Rent
$864/mo
Population
14,164
College Educated
26%
Homeownership
67%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
20.9%
Community Profile
Clinton has a median household income of $54,209. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $162,900, with a median rent of $864/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.9%, 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
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 2
Resources
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 Clinton, South Carolina
How many schools are in Clinton, South Carolina?
Clinton has 7 schools, including 7 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Clinton, South Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Clinton is 6.3 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 Clinton, South Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Clinton on MySchoolScout is Summit Classical School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Clinton, South Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Clinton on MySchoolScout is Summit Classical School with a composite score of 7.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Clinton, South Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Clinton on MySchoolScout is Clinton Middle with a composite score of 5.9/10.
What is the best high school in Clinton, South Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Clinton on MySchoolScout is Clinton High with a composite score of 7.1/10.
How many school districts serve Clinton, South Carolina?
Clinton is served by 2 school districts: Laurens 56, Charter Institute at Erskine.
What is the education level in Clinton, South Carolina?
According to Census data, 26% of adults in Clinton have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Clinton, South Carolina?
The median household income in Clinton is approximately $54,209 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Clinton, South Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Clinton is 12.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Clinton, 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.