5.7 avg / 10

Best Schools in Lancaster, South Carolina

16 schools · 9 Elementary · 3 Middle · 3 High · 1 Other

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 14

Private: 2

Districts: 1

Avg Rating: 5.7/10

Estimated Scores: 7%

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 5.7/10
Median household income: $59,039
Median home value: $212,800
Bachelor's degree or higher: 22%
Avg commute: 30 min
Owner-occupied homes: 78%

How Lancaster compares

South Carolina rank

#95 of 129

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

-0.5

below South Carolina avg (6.2)

Median household income

$59k

95% of South Carolina median

Schools in this city

15

About Schools in Lancaster, South Carolina

Lancaster, South Carolina is home to 16 schools, including 14 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 9 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 3 high schools.

With an average rating of 5.7 out of 10, schools in Lancaster show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Lancaster is Buford High with a composite score of 9.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Lancaster is served by 1 school district: Lancaster 01. These districts collectively serve 15,298 students.

Lancaster's community shows 22% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $59,039. The poverty rate in the area is 17.4%.

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 Level: All Levels (16) Elementary (9) Middle (3) High (3)

Filter by Type: All Types (16) Public (14) Private (2)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (16) Academics (16) Growth (14) Resources (14)

Filter by ZIP: 29720 (16)

Elementary Schools

9 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Van Wyck Elementary 819 students · Pre-K–4th	819	Pre-K–4th	7.9
2	Discovery Charter of Lancaster 130 students · Kindergarten–5th	130	Kindergarten–5th	7.4
3	Buford Elementary 758 students · Pre-K–5th	758	Pre-K–5th	7.3
4	McDonald Green Elementary 335 students · Pre-K–5th	335	Pre-K–5th	5.9
5	North Elementary 618 students · Pre-K–5th	618	Pre-K–5th	5.9
6	Brooklyn Springs Elementary 393 students · Pre-K–5th	393	Pre-K–5th	4.7
7	Clinton Elementary 405 students · Pre-K–5th	405	Pre-K–5th	4.6
8	Erwin Elementary 419 students · Pre-K–5th	419	Pre-K–5th	3.3
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	TENDERHEARTS Private 10 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten	10	Pre-K–Kindergarten	Not Rated

Middle Schools

3 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Buford Middle 368 students · 6th–8th	368	6th–8th	5.9
2	South Middle 492 students · 6th–8th	492	6th–8th	3.5
3	A. R. Rucker Middle 513 students · 6th–8th	513	6th–8th	3.4

High Schools

3 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	Buford High 554 students · 9th–12th	554	9th–12th	9.1
2	Indian Land High 1,821 students · 9th–12th	1,821	9th–12th	5.9
3	Lancaster High 1,393 students · 9th–12th	1,393	9th–12th	5.4

Other Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	CAROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Private 198 students · Pre-K–12th	198	Pre-K–12th	Not Rated

Schools in Lancaster

Lancaster, South Carolina · 16 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code

Median Income

$59,039

Median Home Value

$212,800

Median Rent

$845/mo

Population

51,603

College Educated

22%

Homeownership

78%

Avg Commute

30 min

Poverty Rate

17.4%

Community Profile

Lancaster has a median household income of $59,039. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $212,800, with a median rent of $845/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.4%. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Quick Facts

State: South Carolina
Total Schools: 16
Elementary: 9
Middle: 3
High: 3
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 5.7/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Lancaster schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Lancaster 📊 Niche Lancaster Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School District

Lancaster 01

23 schools · 15,298 students

Nearby Cities

Heath Springs (1 school)

10 mi

Great Falls (2 schools)

14 mi

Indian Land (4 schools)

Fort Mill (19 schools)

23 mi

Rock Hill (34 schools)

22 mi

Jefferson (3 schools)

Winnsboro (7 schools)

32 mi

Other Major Cities in South Carolina

Top metros statewide by school count.

Columbia 96 schools Greenville 80 schools Charleston 50 schools Spartanburg 36 schools North Charleston 35 schools

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 Lancaster, South Carolina

How many schools are in Lancaster, South Carolina?

Lancaster has 16 schools, including 14 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

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

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Lancaster is 5.7 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

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

The top-ranked school in Lancaster on MySchoolScout is Buford High with a composite score of 9.1/10.

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

The top-ranked elementary school in Lancaster on MySchoolScout is Van Wyck Elementary with a composite score of 7.9/10.

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

The top-ranked middle school in Lancaster on MySchoolScout is Buford Middle with a composite score of 5.9/10.

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

The top-ranked high school in Lancaster on MySchoolScout is Buford High with a composite score of 9.1/10.

How many school districts serve Lancaster, South Carolina?

Lancaster is served by 1 school district: Lancaster 01.

What is the education level in Lancaster, South Carolina?

According to Census data, 22% of adults in Lancaster have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Lancaster, South Carolina?

The median household income in Lancaster is approximately $59,039 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

Are there private schools in Lancaster, South Carolina?

Yes, Lancaster has 2 private schools alongside 14 public schools. The top-rated private school is Carolina Christian Academy with a score of 5.9/10.

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

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Lancaster is 14.1:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Lancaster, 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.