Best Schools in North Charleston, South Carolina
36 schools · 19 Elementary · 5 Middle · 9 High · 3 Other
Choosing a school in North Charleston?
Use this page to compare every school in North Charleston 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.
Charleston School of the Arts
High · Charleston 01. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Military Magnet Academy
High · Charleston 01. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Palmetto Scholars Academy
High · Sc Public Charter School District. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in North Charleston for 2026 are Charleston School of the Arts (8.2/10), Military Magnet Academy (7.8/10), and Palmetto Scholars Academy (7.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 29 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
36
30 public · 6 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$268,300
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
36
30 public · 6 private
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$268,300
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Rates 7.8/10 despite 100% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.2 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among North Charleston schools.
Top-Rated Schools in North Charleston
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 29 rated schools; 36 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charleston School of the Arts | 8.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Military Magnet Academy | 7.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Palmetto Scholars Academy | 7.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Windsor Hill Arts Infused Elementary | 7.6 / 10 |
| 5 | Malcolm C. Hursey Montessori | 7.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Lambs Elementary | 7.4 / 10 |
| 7 | Matilda F. Dunston Elementary | 7.3 / 10 |
| 8 | W. B. Goodwin Elementary | 7.1 / 10 |
| 9 | Academic Magnet High | 7.0 / 10 |
| 10 | Fort Dorchester High | 7.0 / 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
- 6.1/10
- Median household income
- $66,004
- Median home value
- $268,300
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 29%
- Avg commute
- 27 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 49%
38% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How North Charleston compares
South Carolina rank
#81 of 133
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below South Carolina avg (6.3)
Median household income
$66k
106% of South Carolina median
Schools in this city
34
Charleston 01 runs 83% of North Charleston's public schools
North Charleston touches 3 districts, but Charleston 01 is the one most addresses actually attend.
Charleston 01 accounts for 25 of 30 public schools (83%). The other 2 districts hold the remaining 5.
Among 29 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.8 to 8.2 — the spread is inside North Charleston, not a citywide average.
- Charleston 0125 public · 83%
- Dorchester 024 public · 13%
- Sc Public Charter School District1 public · 3%
About Schools in North Charleston, South Carolina
North Charleston's public school system spans 30 ranked schools with an average score of 6.1 out of 10 — a competitive baseline that reflects real variation across the city. Parents will find a meaningful split between strong performers and schools still climbing: 10 schools, or 33% of the total, score 7 or higher, giving families genuine options if they're willing to research attendance zones and application requirements.
At the top of the city's rankings, Greg Mathis Charter High leads with an 8.5 out of 10, the highest score among all 30 ranked schools. Academic Magnet High follows at 8.2, and Charleston School of the Arts rounds out the upper tier at 7.6 — both are specialized high schools with selective admissions, so families should check eligibility and deadlines early. North Charleston High earns a 7.7 and represents a strong traditional public option at the secondary level. On the elementary side, Hunley Park Elementary stands out with a 7.7, the top-scoring elementary school in the city.
The practical reality for parents is that North Charleston's best schools tend to be magnet or charter programs. Greg Mathis Charter High and Academic Magnet High both require applications and may draw students from across Charleston County, not just North Charleston addresses. Families zoned for lower-scoring neighborhood schools often have access to these programs as an alternative, but seats are limited and competitive. Starting the application process before the school year ends is essential.
For parents with younger children, Hunley Park Elementary's 7.7 score signals a strong neighborhood option, but it's worth checking current zone boundaries — attendance boundaries in Charleston County shift periodically. The city's 6.1 average also means that about two-thirds of ranked schools fall below the 7-point mark, so verifying a specific school's current score on MySchoolScout before making housing or enrollment decisions is the clearest move. North Charleston rewards parents who do the research: the high-performers are genuinely strong, but they require proactive planning to access.
Elementary Schools
19 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 376 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 8.6 |
| 2 | 658 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.6 |
| 3 | 475 students · Pre-K–8th | 7.5 |
| 4 | 506 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.4 |
| 5 | 491 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.3 |
| 6 | 424 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.1 |
| 7 | 318 students · 1st–5th | 6.9 |
| 8 | 690 students · 1st–5th | 6.3 |
| 9 | 716 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.2 |
| 10 | 430 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.6 |
Show all 19 elementary schools in North Charleston
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 300 students · 6th–8th | 6.7 |
| 2 | 801 students · 6th–8th | 5.3 |
| 3 | 677 students · 6th–8th | 5.1 |
| 4 | 555 students · 6th–8th | 4.2 |
| 5 | 501 students · 6th–8th | 3.8 |
High Schools
9 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,069 students · 6th–12th | 8.2 |
| 2 | 400 students · 6th–12th | 7.8 |
| 3 | 463 students · 6th–12th | 7.8 |
| 4 | 718 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 |
| 5 | 2,301 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 |
| 6 | 2,025 students · 9th–12th | 6.0 |
| 7 | 785 students · 9th–12th | 5.2 |
| 8 | 61 students · 9th–12th | 5.1 |
| 9 | 216 students · 6th–12th | 4.8 |
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northside Christian SchoolPrivate 227 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 2 | 41 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 3 | Cathedral AcademyPrivate 351 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in North Charleston
North Charleston, South Carolina · 36 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 6 ZIP codes
Median Income
$66,004
Median Home Value
$268,300
Median Rent
$1,350/mo
Population
112,670
College Educated
29%
Homeownership
49%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
16.0%
Community Profile
North Charleston has a median household income of $66,004. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $268,300, with a median rent of $1,350/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Carolina
- Elementary
- 19
- Middle
- 5
- High
- 9
- Other
- 3
Resources
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 North Charleston, South Carolina
How many schools are in North Charleston, South Carolina?
North Charleston has 36 schools, including 30 public and 6 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in North Charleston, South Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in North Charleston is 6.1 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 North Charleston, South Carolina?
The top-ranked school in North Charleston on MySchoolScout is Charleston School of the Arts with a composite score of 8.2/10.
What is the best elementary school in North Charleston, South Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in North Charleston on MySchoolScout is Windsor Hill Arts Infused Elementary with a composite score of 7.6/10.
What is the best middle school in North Charleston, South Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in North Charleston on MySchoolScout is Deer Park Middle with a composite score of 6.7/10.
What is the best high school in North Charleston, South Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in North Charleston on MySchoolScout is Charleston School of the Arts with a composite score of 8.2/10.
How many school districts serve North Charleston, South Carolina?
North Charleston is served by 3 school districts: Charleston 01, Dorchester 02, Sc Public Charter School District.
What is the education level in North Charleston, South Carolina?
According to Census data, 29% of adults in North Charleston have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in North Charleston, South Carolina?
The median household income in North Charleston is approximately $66,004 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in North Charleston, South Carolina?
Yes, North Charleston has 6 private schools alongside 30 public schools. The top-rated private school is Northside Christian School with a score of 7.8/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in North Charleston, South Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in North Charleston is 12.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in North Charleston, 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.