Best Schools in Pickens, South Carolina
8 schools · 3 Elementary · 2 Middle · 1 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Pickens?
Use this page to compare every school in Pickens 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.
Youth Leadership Academy
Middle · Sc Public Charter School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Ambler Elementary
Elementary · Pickens 01. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Pickens High
High · Pickens 01. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Pickens for 2026 are Youth Leadership Academy (7.8/10), Ambler Elementary (6.5/10), and Pickens High (6.4/10), 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
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$202,100
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
8
6 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$202,100
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Pickens
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 | Youth Leadership Academy | 7.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Ambler Elementary | 6.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Pickens High | 6.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Hagood Elementary | 6.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Pickens Elementary | 6.0 / 10 |
| 6 | Pickens Middle | 4.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Lakeview Christian School | 4.3 / 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
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $65,429
- Median home value
- $202,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17%
- Avg commute
- 32 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 83%
14% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Pickens compares
South Carolina rank
#75 of 129
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below South Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$65k
105% of South Carolina median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in Pickens, South Carolina
Pickens, South Carolina is home to 8 schools, including 6 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.0 out of 10, schools in Pickens 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 Pickens is Youth Leadership Academy with a composite score of 7.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Pickens is served by 2 school districts: Pickens 01, SC Public Charter School District. These districts collectively serve 34,627 students.
Pickens's community shows 17% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $65,429. The poverty rate in the area is 12.0%.
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
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 342 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.5 |
| 2 | 575 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.0 |
| 3 | 501 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.0 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 288 students · 6th–8th | 7.8 |
| 2 | 525 students · 6th–8th | 4.8 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,281 students · 9th–12th | 6.4 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lakeview Christian School
Private
145 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.3 |
| 2 | Soaring Eagles Christian Academy
Private
10 students · 1st–12th | — |
Schools in Pickens
Pickens, South Carolina · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$65,429
Median Home Value
$202,100
Median Rent
$917/mo
Population
19,210
College Educated
17%
Homeownership
83%
Avg Commute
32 min
Poverty Rate
12.0%
Community Profile
Pickens has a median household income of $65,429. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $202,100, with a median rent of $917/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.0%. The average commute for residents is 32 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Carolina
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 1
- Other
- 2
Resources
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 Pickens, South Carolina
How many schools are in Pickens, South Carolina?
Pickens has 8 schools, including 6 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Pickens, South Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Pickens is 6.0 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 Pickens, South Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Pickens on MySchoolScout is Youth Leadership Academy with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Pickens, South Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Pickens on MySchoolScout is Ambler Elementary with a composite score of 6.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Pickens, South Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Pickens on MySchoolScout is Youth Leadership Academy with a composite score of 7.8/10.
What is the best high school in Pickens, South Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Pickens on MySchoolScout is Pickens High with a composite score of 6.4/10.
How many school districts serve Pickens, South Carolina?
Pickens is served by 2 school districts: Pickens 01, Sc Public Charter School District.
What is the education level in Pickens, South Carolina?
According to Census data, 17% of adults in Pickens have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Pickens, South Carolina?
The median household income in Pickens is approximately $65,429 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Pickens, South Carolina?
Yes, Pickens has 2 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Lakeview Christian School with a score of 4.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Pickens, South Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Pickens is 13.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Pickens, 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.