Best Schools in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
10 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Hilton Head Island?
Use this page to compare every school in Hilton Head Island 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.
Hilton Head Island High
High · Beaufort 01. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Hilton Head Island Elementary
Elementary · Beaufort 01. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Heritage Academy
High. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Hilton Head Island for 2026 are Hilton Head Island High (8.2/10), Hilton Head Island Elementary (7.2/10), and Heritage Academy (7.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 9 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
10
5 public · 5 private
Avg Score
6.9
out of 10
Median Home
$688,450
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
10
5 public · 5 private
Avg Score
6.9
out of 10
Median Home
$688,450
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Hilton Head Island
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (9 of 10). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hilton Head Island High | 8.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Hilton Head Island Elementary | 7.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Heritage Academy | 7.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Sea Pines Montessori Academy | 7.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Hilton Head Christian Academy | 6.8 / 10 |
| 6 | Hilton Head Preparatory School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 7 | Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts | 6.3 / 10 |
| 8 | Hilton Head Island Middle | 6.1 / 10 |
| 9 | St Francis Catholic School | 5.6 / 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
- 6.9/10
- Median household income
- $99,776
- Median home value
- $688,450
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 58%
- Avg commute
- 18 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 81%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Hilton Head Island compares
South Carolina rank
#21 of 129
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.7
above South Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$100k
160% of South Carolina median
Schools in this city
10
About Schools in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina is home to 10 schools, including 5 public schools and 5 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.9 out of 10, schools in Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island is Hilton Head Island High with a composite score of 8.2/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Hilton Head Island is served by 1 school district: Beaufort 01. These districts collectively serve 21,489 students.
Hilton Head Island's community shows 58% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $99,776. The poverty rate in the area is 8.0%.
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
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 327 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 7.8 | ||
| 2 | 723 students · 1st–5th | 7.2 | ||
| 3 | 528 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.3 | ||
| Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Sea Pines Montessori Academy
Private
71 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.0 | ||
| 2 | St Francis Catholic School
Private
207 students · Pre-K–8th | 5.6 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 831 students · 6th–8th | 6.1 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,317 students · 9th–12th | 8.2 | ||
| 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 | Heritage Academy
Private
130 students · 6th–12th | 7.2 | ||
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hilton Head Christian Academy
Private
543 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.8 |
| 2 | Hilton Head Preparatory School
Private
440 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.6 |
Schools in Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina · 10 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$99,776
Median Home Value
$688,450
Median Rent
$1,627/mo
Population
40,352
College Educated
58%
Homeownership
81%
Avg Commute
18 min
Poverty Rate
8.0%
Community Profile
Hilton Head Island has a median household income of $99,776. It is a well-educated community where 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $688,450, with a median rent of $1,627/month. The local poverty rate of 8.0% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Carolina
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
- Other
- 2
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 Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
How many schools are in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina?
Hilton Head Island has 10 schools, including 5 public and 5 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Hilton Head Island is 6.9 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 Hilton Head Island, South Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Hilton Head Island on MySchoolScout is Hilton Head Island High with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Hilton Head Island on MySchoolScout is Hilton Head Island Elementary with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Hilton Head Island on MySchoolScout is Hilton Head Island Middle with a composite score of 6.1/10.
What is the best high school in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Hilton Head Island on MySchoolScout is Hilton Head Island High with a composite score of 8.2/10.
How many school districts serve Hilton Head Island, South Carolina?
Hilton Head Island is served by 1 school district: Beaufort 01.
What is the education level in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina?
According to Census data, 58% of adults in Hilton Head Island have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina?
The median household income in Hilton Head Island is approximately $99,776 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina?
Yes, Hilton Head Island has 5 private schools alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Heritage Academy with a score of 7.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Hilton Head Island is 9.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Hilton Head Island, 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.