Very Good
#258 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 22% in state
Fort Dorchester High
High School · Dorchester 02
8500 Patriot Boulevard, North Charleston, SC 29420
Enrollment
2,301
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
7.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,301
Student-Teacher
16.8:1
Score
7.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In North Charleston
#6 of 30
public schools
South Carolina high schools
#90 of 216
In district
#1 of 25
Dorchester 02
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Fort Dorchester High
Fort Dorchester High stands as one of South Carolina's top-performing public high schools, serving 2,301 students in grades 9-12 in North Charleston. With a student-teacher ratio of 16.8:1 across 137 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides a solid educational foundation that shows in its impressive academic results. The school excels academically, earning a 7.4 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #124 out of 1,192 schools statewide, placing it in the 90th percentile.
Students demonstrate strong performance across core subjects, with 88% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 72% meet or exceed standards in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence and effective teaching practices. Fort Dorchester High serves families in the 29420 zip code area, where the median household income is $73,339 and median home values reach $269,900.
The community shows educational commitment, with 30% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 13.2%. Located on Patriot Boulevard in this mid-size city setting, the school benefits from a stable, middle-class community that values educational achievement.
What Parents Should Know
Fort Dorchester High is a large school with 2,301 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.
Score Breakdown
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Fort Dorchester High — Students at Fort Dorchester High score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
60.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 test records from SC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.6/10.
How Fort Dorchester High Compares
See how Fort Dorchester High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 64% (2009) to 72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 72% (2009) to 88% (2022).
Location
8500 Patriot Boulevard, North Charleston, SC 29420
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fort Dorchester High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Palmetto Scholars Academy (rated 7.8/10, 2.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, RB Stall High (rated 6.2/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in North Charleston, see our North Charleston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Windsor Hill Arts Infused Elementary North Charleston | 0.9 mi | 4.8 |
| CATHEDRAL ACADEMY North Charleston | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| River Oaks Middle North Charleston | 1.3 mi | 2.6 |
| Eagle Nest Elementary North Charleston | 1.4 mi | 4.0 |
| Fort Dorchester Elementary Summerville | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| RB Stall High North Charleston | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Joseph R. Pye Elementary Ladson | 2.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Pepperhill Elementary North Charleston | 2.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Oakbrook Middle Ladson | 2.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Oakbrook Elementary Ladson | 2.8 mi | 4.5 |
| Palmetto Scholars Academy North Charleston | 2.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Hunley Park Elementary North Charleston | 3.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Northwoods Middle North Charleston | 3.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Pinehurst Elementary North Charleston | 3.4 mi | 4.0 |
| NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL North Charleston | 3.5 mi | 9.2 |
| Ladson Elementary Ladson | 4.1 mi | 3.5 |
| A. C. Corcoran Elementary North Charleston | 3.8 mi | 2.9 |
| Lambs Elementary North Charleston | 3.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Jerry Zucker Middle School of Science North Charleston | 4.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Midland Park Primary North Charleston | 4.1 mi | 8.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29420 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,043
Median Home Value
$283,900
Median Rent
$1,506/mo
Population
23,311
College Educated
30.8%
Homeownership
62.6%
Avg Commute
27.2 min
Poverty Rate
14.3%
Median Age
35.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Fort Dorchester High has a median household income of $69,043. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $283,900, with a median rent of $1,506/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.3%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Colleton County High Walterboro, SC | 7.5 |
| Mauldin High Mauldin, SC | 7.5 |
| Ridge View High Columbia, SC | 7.5 |
| Spring Valley High Columbia, SC | 7.5 |
| St. James High Murrells Inlet, SC | 7.5 |
| Wade Hampton High Greenville, SC | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fort Dorchester High
What grades does Fort Dorchester High serve?
Fort Dorchester High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Fort Dorchester High?
Fort Dorchester High has an enrollment of approximately 2,301 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fort Dorchester High?
The student-teacher ratio at Fort Dorchester High is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fort Dorchester High rank in SC?
Fort Dorchester High is ranked #258 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Fort Dorchester High's MySchoolScout rating?
Fort Dorchester High has a composite rating of 7.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Fort Dorchester High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fort Dorchester High has 64.9% math proficiency and 76.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Fort Dorchester High a charter school?
No, Fort Dorchester High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fort Dorchester High a Title I school?
No, Fort Dorchester High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fort Dorchester High?
60.1% of students at Fort Dorchester High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 2,301
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 137
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 60.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Dorchester County
- Chronic Absenteeism
- 27.8%
- Phone
- (843) 760-4450
- 4-Year Graduation
- 92.0%
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Dorchester 02- District Enrollment
- 26,547
- Schools in District
- 25
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,212
- District Rank
- #1 of 25
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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