Best Schools in Pawleys Island, South Carolina
8 schools · 5 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High
Choosing a school in Pawleys Island?
Use this page to compare every school in Pawleys 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.
Waccamaw Elementary
Elementary · Georgetown 01. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Waccamaw High
High · Georgetown 01. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Waccamaw Intermediate
Middle · Georgetown 01. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Pawleys Island for 2026 are Waccamaw Elementary (8.6/10), Waccamaw High (8.3/10), and Waccamaw Intermediate (7.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 7 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
8
5 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.9
out of 10
Median Home
$423,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
8
5 public · 3 private
Avg Score
6.9
out of 10
Median Home
$423,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Pawleys Island
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (7 of 8). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waccamaw Elementary | 8.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Waccamaw High | 8.3 / 10 |
| 3 | Waccamaw Intermediate | 7.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Waccamaw Middle | 6.9 / 10 |
| 5 | Pawleys Island Christian Academy | 6.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Coastal Montessori Charter | 5.5 / 10 |
| 7 | Montessori School of Pawleys Island | 5.2 / 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
- $83,077
- Median home value
- $423,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 50%
- Avg commute
- 23 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 87%
43% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Pawleys Island compares
South Carolina rank
#17 of 129
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.8
above South Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$83k
133% of South Carolina median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in Pawleys Island, South Carolina
Pawleys Island, South Carolina is home to 8 schools, including 5 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.9 out of 10, schools in Pawleys 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 Pawleys Island is Waccamaw Elementary with a composite score of 8.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Pawleys Island is served by 1 school district: Georgetown 01. These districts collectively serve 8,355 students.
Pawleys Island's community shows 50% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $83,077. The poverty rate in the area is 7.3%.
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
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 540 students · Pre-K–3rd | 8.6 | ||
| 2 | 237 students · 1st–8th | 5.5 | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Pawleys Island Christian Academy
Private
40 students · Pre-K–1st | 6.5 | ||
| 2 | 64 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | 5.2 | ||
| 3 | 18 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | — | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 426 students · 4th–6th | 7.5 |
| 2 | 336 students · 7th–8th | 6.9 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 846 students · 9th–12th | 8.3 |
Schools in Pawleys Island
Pawleys Island, South Carolina · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$83,077
Median Home Value
$423,700
Median Rent
$1,599/mo
Population
17,346
College Educated
50%
Homeownership
87%
Avg Commute
23 min
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Community Profile
Pawleys Island has a median household income of $83,077. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $423,700, with a median rent of $1,599/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Carolina
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
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 Pawleys Island, South Carolina
How many schools are in Pawleys Island, South Carolina?
Pawleys Island has 8 schools, including 5 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Pawleys Island, South Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Pawleys 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 Pawleys Island, South Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Pawleys Island on MySchoolScout is Waccamaw Elementary with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Pawleys Island, South Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Pawleys Island on MySchoolScout is Waccamaw Elementary with a composite score of 8.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Pawleys Island, South Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Pawleys Island on MySchoolScout is Waccamaw Intermediate with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best high school in Pawleys Island, South Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Pawleys Island on MySchoolScout is Waccamaw High with a composite score of 8.3/10.
How many school districts serve Pawleys Island, South Carolina?
Pawleys Island is served by 1 school district: Georgetown 01.
What is the education level in Pawleys Island, South Carolina?
According to Census data, 50% of adults in Pawleys Island have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Pawleys Island, South Carolina?
The median household income in Pawleys Island is approximately $83,077 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Pawleys Island, South Carolina?
Yes, Pawleys Island has 3 private schools alongside 5 public schools. The top-rated private school is Pawleys Island Christian Academy with a score of 6.5/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Pawleys Island, South Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Pawleys Island is 11.4:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Pawleys 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.