Best Schools in Orangeburg, South Carolina
17 schools · 9 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 4 Other
Choosing a school in Orangeburg?
Use this page to compare every school in Orangeburg 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.
Whittaker Elementary
Elementary · Orangeburg. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Sheridan Elementary
Elementary · Orangeburg. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Brookdale Elementary
Elementary · Orangeburg. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Orangeburg for 2026 are Whittaker Elementary (7.1/10), Sheridan Elementary (7.0/10), and Brookdale Elementary (5.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 10 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
17
11 public · 6 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$128,250
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
17
11 public · 6 private
Avg Score
5.5
out of 10
Median Home
$128,250
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Orangeburg
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (10 rated schools; 17 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whittaker Elementary | 7.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Sheridan Elementary | 7.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Brookdale Elementary | 5.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Mellichamp Elementary | 5.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Orangeburg Wilkinson High | 5.1 / 10 |
| 6 | William J. Clark Middle | 5.1 / 10 |
| 7 | Marshall Elementary | 4.8 / 10 |
| 8 | Edisto Elementary | 4.3 / 10 |
| 9 | Felton Laboratory Charter School | 3.1 / 10 |
| 10 | Robert E. Howard Middle | 2.6 / 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
- 5.5/10
- Median household income
- $45,939
- Median home value
- $128,250
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 26%
- Avg commute
- 26 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 58%
40% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Orangeburg compares
South Carolina rank
#112 of 133
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.8
below South Carolina avg (6.3)
Median household income
$46k
74% of South Carolina median
Schools in this city
15
Orangeburg runs 82% of Orangeburg's public schools
Orangeburg touches 3 districts, but Orangeburg is the one most addresses actually attend.
Orangeburg accounts for 9 of 11 public schools (82%). The other 2 districts hold the remaining 2.
Among 10 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.6 to 7.1 — the spread is inside Orangeburg, not a citywide average.
- Orangeburg9 public · 82%
- Limestone Charters Association1 public · 9%
- Sc Public Charter School District1 public · 9%
About Schools in Orangeburg, South Carolina
Orangeburg, South Carolina is home to 17 schools, including 11 public schools and 6 private schools. The city's schools span 9 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 5.5 out of 10, schools in Orangeburg show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Orangeburg is Orangeburg Christian Academy with a composite score of 7.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Orangeburg is served by 3 school districts: SC Public Charter School District, Orangeburg, Limestone Charters Association. These districts collectively serve 31,646 students.
Orangeburg's community shows 26% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $45,939. The poverty rate in the area is 23.3%.
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
9 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 369 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.1 | ||
| 2 | 498 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.0 | ||
| 3 | 245 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.8 | ||
| 4 | 160 students · 3rd–5th | 5.4 | ||
| 5 | 646 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.8 | ||
| 6 | 424 students · 3rd–5th | 4.3 | ||
| 7 | 296 students · Kindergarten–8th | 3.1 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 4 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 8 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 649 students · 6th–8th | 5.1 |
| 2 | 413 students · 6th–8th | 2.6 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 439 students · 9th–12th | 7.1 |
| 2 | 1,050 students · 9th–12th | 5.1 |
Other Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orangeburg Christian AcademyPrivate 199 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 2 | 459 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 3 | 38 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
| 4 | Wesley Christian SchoolPrivate 38 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated |
Schools in Orangeburg
Orangeburg, South Carolina · 17 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 2 ZIP codes
Median Income
$45,939
Median Home Value
$128,250
Median Rent
$873/mo
Population
42,855
College Educated
26%
Homeownership
58%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
23.3%
Community Profile
Orangeburg has a median household income of $45,939. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $128,250, with a median rent of $873/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Carolina
- Elementary
- 9
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
- Other
- 4
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 Orangeburg, South Carolina
How many schools are in Orangeburg, South Carolina?
Orangeburg has 17 schools, including 11 public and 6 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Orangeburg, South Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Orangeburg is 5.5 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 Orangeburg, South Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Orangeburg on MySchoolScout is Whittaker Elementary with a composite score of 7.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Orangeburg, South Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Orangeburg on MySchoolScout is Whittaker Elementary with a composite score of 7.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Orangeburg, South Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Orangeburg on MySchoolScout is William J. Clark Middle with a composite score of 5.1/10.
What is the best high school in Orangeburg, South Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Orangeburg on MySchoolScout is Orangeburg Wilkinson High with a composite score of 5.1/10.
How many school districts serve Orangeburg, South Carolina?
Orangeburg is served by 3 school districts: Sc Public Charter School District, Orangeburg, Limestone Charters Association.
What is the education level in Orangeburg, South Carolina?
According to Census data, 26% of adults in Orangeburg have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Orangeburg, South Carolina?
The median household income in Orangeburg is approximately $45,939 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Orangeburg, South Carolina?
Yes, Orangeburg has 6 private schools alongside 11 public schools. The top-rated private school is Orangeburg Christian Academy with a score of 7.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Orangeburg, South Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Orangeburg is 14.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Orangeburg, 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.