Best Schools in Darlington, South Carolina
9 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 Middle · 3 High
Choosing a school in Darlington?
Use this page to compare every school in Darlington 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.
Darlington High
High · Darlington 01. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Mayo High for Math Science & Technology
High · Darlington 01. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
J. L. Cain Elementary
Elementary · Darlington 01. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Darlington for 2026 are Darlington High (8.9/10), Mayo High for Math Science & Technology (8.7/10), and J. L. Cain Elementary (7.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 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
9
7 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$93,650
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
9
7 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.5
out of 10
Median Home
$93,650
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Darlington
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 of 9). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darlington High | 8.9 / 10 |
| 2 | Mayo High for Math Science & Technology | 8.7 / 10 |
| 3 | J. L. Cain Elementary | 7.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Trinity Collegiate School | 6.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Darlington Middle | 5.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Temple Christian Academy | 5.7 / 10 |
| 7 | Brockington Elementary | 4.8 / 10 |
| 8 | St. John's Elementary | 4.6 / 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
- 6.5/10
- Median household income
- $42,732
- Median home value
- $93,650
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 13%
- Avg commute
- 20 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 73%
33% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Darlington compares
South Carolina rank
#43 of 129
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.3
above South Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$43k
68% of South Carolina median
Schools in this city
9
About Schools in Darlington, South Carolina
Darlington, South Carolina is home to 9 schools, including 7 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.5 out of 10, schools in Darlington 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 Darlington is Darlington High with a composite score of 8.9/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Darlington is served by 1 school district: Darlington 01. These districts collectively serve 8,862 students.
Darlington's community shows 13% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $42,732. The poverty rate in the area is 19.9%.
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
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 569 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.3 | ||
| 2 | 411 students · Pre-K–2nd | 6.0 | ||
| 3 | 311 students · 3rd–5th | 4.8 | ||
| 4 | 567 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.6 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Temple Christian Academy
Private
76 students · Pre-K–6th | 5.7 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 895 students · 6th–8th | 5.7 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 990 students · 9th–12th | 8.9 | ||
| 2 | 343 students · 9th–12th | 8.7 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Trinity Collegiate School
Private
405 students · 6th–12th | 6.5 | ||
Schools in Darlington
Darlington, South Carolina · 9 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$42,732
Median Home Value
$93,650
Median Rent
$842/mo
Population
23,868
College Educated
13%
Homeownership
73%
Avg Commute
20 min
Poverty Rate
19.9%
Community Profile
Darlington has a median household income of $42,732. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $93,650, with a median rent of $842/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.9%. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Carolina
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 3
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 Darlington, South Carolina
How many schools are in Darlington, South Carolina?
Darlington has 9 schools, including 7 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Darlington, South Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Darlington is 6.5 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 Darlington, South Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Darlington on MySchoolScout is Darlington High with a composite score of 8.9/10.
What is the best elementary school in Darlington, South Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Darlington on MySchoolScout is J. L. Cain Elementary with a composite score of 7.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Darlington, South Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Darlington on MySchoolScout is Darlington Middle with a composite score of 5.7/10.
What is the best high school in Darlington, South Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Darlington on MySchoolScout is Darlington High with a composite score of 8.9/10.
How many school districts serve Darlington, South Carolina?
Darlington is served by 1 school district: Darlington 01.
What is the education level in Darlington, South Carolina?
According to Census data, 13% of adults in Darlington have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Darlington, South Carolina?
The median household income in Darlington is approximately $42,732 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Darlington, South Carolina?
Yes, Darlington has 2 private schools alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is Trinity Collegiate School with a score of 6.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Darlington, South Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Darlington 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 Darlington, 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.