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5.8 avg / 10

Best Schools in Dorchester, South Carolina

3 schools · 1 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High

Public: 3
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 5.8/10

Family Snapshot

At a glance
Avg school rating
5.8/10

0% of schools rated 7+

Median household income
$56,086

Census ACS, ZIPs in this city

Median home value
$181,900

Owner-occupied units

Bachelor's degree or higher
26%

Adults 25+

Owner-occupied homes
91%

Of occupied housing units

How Dorchester compares

South Carolina rank

#93 of 129

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

-0.5

below South Carolina avg (6.2)

Median household income

$56k

90% of South Carolina median

Schools in this city

3

About Schools in Dorchester, South Carolina

Dorchester, 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 5.8 out of 10, schools in Dorchester show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Dorchester is Harleyville-ridgeville Middle with a composite score of 6.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Dorchester is served by 1 school district: Dorchester 04. These districts collectively serve 2,160 students.

Dorchester's community shows 26% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $56,086. The poverty rate in the area is 14.0%.

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.

Filter by ZIP: 29437 (3)

Elementary Schools

1 school
# School Rating
1 265 students · Pre-K–5th 5.8

Middle Schools

1 school
# School Rating
1 164 students · 6th–8th 6.3

High Schools

1 school
# School Rating
1 669 students · 9th–12th 5.2

Schools in Dorchester

Dorchester, South Carolina · 3 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code

Median Income

$56,086

Median Home Value

$181,900

Median Rent

$619/mo

Population

2,287

College Educated

26%

Homeownership

91%

Poverty Rate

14.0%

Community Profile

Dorchester has a median household income of $56,086. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $181,900, with a median rent of $619/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.0%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Quick Facts

Total Schools
3
Elementary
1
Middle
1
High
1
Districts
1
Avg Rating
5.8/10

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Dorchester, South Carolina

How many schools are in Dorchester, South Carolina?

Dorchester has 3 schools, including 3 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Dorchester, South Carolina?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Dorchester is 5.8 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Dorchester, South Carolina?

The top-ranked school in Dorchester on MySchoolScout is Harleyville-ridgeville Middle with a composite score of 6.3/10.

What is the best elementary school in Dorchester, South Carolina?

The top-ranked elementary school in Dorchester on MySchoolScout is Harleyville Elementary with a composite score of 5.8/10.

What is the best middle school in Dorchester, South Carolina?

The top-ranked middle school in Dorchester on MySchoolScout is Harleyville-ridgeville Middle with a composite score of 6.3/10.

What is the best high school in Dorchester, South Carolina?

The top-ranked high school in Dorchester on MySchoolScout is Woodland High with a composite score of 5.2/10.

How many school districts serve Dorchester, South Carolina?

Dorchester is served by 1 school district: Dorchester 04.

What is the education level in Dorchester, South Carolina?

According to Census data, 26% of adults in Dorchester have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Dorchester, South Carolina?

The median household income in Dorchester is approximately $56,086 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Dorchester, South Carolina?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Dorchester is 11.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Dorchester, 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.

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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.