Best Schools in Summerville, South Carolina
33 schools · 19 Elementary · 6 Middle · 4 High · 4 Other
Choosing a school in Summerville?
Use this page to compare every school in Summerville 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.
Ridge Christian Academy
Other. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Rollings Middle School of the Arts
Middle · Dorchester 02. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Beech Hill Elementary
Elementary · Dorchester 02. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Summerville for 2026 are Ridge Christian Academy (8.1/10), Rollings Middle School of the Arts (7.5/10), and Beech Hill Elementary (7.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 28 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
33
26 public · 7 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$314,667
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
33
26 public · 7 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$314,667
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Rates 6.7/10 despite 66% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.4 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 Summerville schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Summerville
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (28 of 33). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridge Christian Academy | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Rollings Middle School of the Arts | 7.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Beech Hill Elementary | 7.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Ashley Ridge High | 7.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Summerville High | 7.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Summerville Catholic School | 7.0 / 10 |
| 7 | Nexton Elementary | 6.9 / 10 |
| 8 | Cane Bay High | 6.8 / 10 |
| 9 | Sand Hill Elementary | 6.8 / 10 |
| 10 | Faith Christian School & Daycare | 6.8 / 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
- 5.9/10
- Median household income
- $84,289
- Median home value
- $314,667
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 32%
- Avg commute
- 31 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 76%
19% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Summerville compares
South Carolina rank
#80 of 129
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below South Carolina avg (6.2)
Median household income
$84k
135% of South Carolina median
Schools in this city
31
About Schools in Summerville, South Carolina
Summerville's public school landscape spans 26 ranked schools, giving families a wide field to evaluate. The city's average rating sits at 4.9 out of 10 — squarely at the midpoint — which means performance varies considerably from one campus to the next. Only 2 of those 26 schools, or 8%, clear the 7.0 threshold, so high-performing options exist but require deliberate searching.
The strongest elementary options lead the city. Summerville Elementary tops all 26 ranked schools with a 7.1, and Beech Hill Elementary and Berkeley Preparatory Academy each score 6.8, making the elementary tier the most competitive segment of the market. Parents with young children have the clearest path to a high-rated school here. At the middle school level, Rollings Middle School of the Arts earns a 6.4 — the standout option for that grade band and worth a close look for families open to an arts-integrated curriculum. On the high school side, Ashley Ridge High scores 7.0, placing it among the city's top two schools overall and giving older students a strong option without leaving Summerville.
The spread between the top and the average tells the practical story for parents. With a city mean of 4.9 and only 8% of schools above 7.0, most campuses land in the 4–6 range. Families who end up zoned to a mid-tier school are not necessarily in poor territory, but the gap between a 7.1 and a 4.0 is meaningful — worth knowing before signing a lease or closing on a house.
For parents doing side-by-side comparisons, the school-level ratings on MySchoolScout give the fastest read on how individual campuses perform relative to state and national peers. In Summerville, zone boundaries matter more than average — proximity to Summerville Elementary or Ashley Ridge High can represent a full rating tier of difference. Confirm your specific address assignment directly with the district before finalizing any housing decision, since attendance boundaries here can shift without much notice.
Elementary Schools
19 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,209 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.4 |
| 2 | 973 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.9 |
| 3 | 1,241 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.8 |
| 4 | 886 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.7 |
| 5 | 556 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.6 |
| 6 | 786 students · Kindergarten–8th | 6.6 |
| 7 | 860 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.5 |
| 8 | 941 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.4 |
| 9 | 1,226 students · Pre-K–4th | 6.1 |
| 10 | 580 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.9 |
Show all 19 elementary schools in Summerville
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 805 students · 6th–8th | 7.5 |
| 2 | 1,475 students · 5th–8th | 5.3 |
| 3 | 942 students · 6th–8th | 5.1 |
| 4 | 864 students · 6th–8th | 4.5 |
| 5 | 804 students · 6th–8th | 4.4 |
| 6 | 927 students · 6th–8th | 3.8 |
High Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,735 students · 9th–12th | 7.3 | ||
| 2 | 3,293 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 | ||
| 3 | 2,490 students · 9th–12th | 6.8 | ||
| 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 | Charis Academy
Private
14 students · 7th–12th | — | ||
Other Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 697 students · Kindergarten–12th | 2.7 | ||
| 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 | Ridge Christian Academy
Private
111 students · Pre-K–12th | 8.1 | ||
| 2 | Faith Christian School & Daycare
Private
277 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.8 | ||
| 3 | Pinewood Preparatory School
Private
607 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.0 | ||
Schools in Summerville
Summerville, South Carolina · 33 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 3 ZIP codes
Median Income
$84,289
Median Home Value
$314,667
Median Rent
$1,435/mo
Population
164,613
College Educated
32%
Homeownership
76%
Avg Commute
31 min
Poverty Rate
12.1%
Community Profile
Summerville has a median household income of $84,289. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $314,667, with a median rent of $1,435/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.1%. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- South Carolina
- Elementary
- 19
- Middle
- 6
- High
- 4
- Other
- 4
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 Summerville, South Carolina
How many schools are in Summerville, South Carolina?
Summerville has 33 schools, including 26 public and 7 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Summerville, South Carolina?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Summerville is 5.9 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 Summerville, South Carolina?
The top-ranked school in Summerville on MySchoolScout is Ridge Christian Academy with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Summerville, South Carolina?
The top-ranked elementary school in Summerville on MySchoolScout is Beech Hill Elementary with a composite score of 7.4/10.
What is the best middle school in Summerville, South Carolina?
The top-ranked middle school in Summerville on MySchoolScout is Rollings Middle School of the Arts with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best high school in Summerville, South Carolina?
The top-ranked high school in Summerville on MySchoolScout is Ashley Ridge High with a composite score of 7.3/10.
How many school districts serve Summerville, South Carolina?
Summerville is served by 3 school districts: Berkeley 01, Dorchester 02, Charter Institute at Erskine.
What is the education level in Summerville, South Carolina?
According to Census data, 32% of adults in Summerville have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Summerville, South Carolina?
The median household income in Summerville is approximately $84,289 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Summerville, South Carolina?
Yes, Summerville has 7 private schools alongside 26 public schools. The top-rated private school is Ridge Christian Academy with a score of 8.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Summerville, South Carolina?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Summerville is 15.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Summerville, 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.