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Average

#412 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 35% in state

May River High

High School · Beaufort 01

601 New Riverside Road, Bluffton, SC 29910

Enrollment

1,665

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

6.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bluffton

#9 of 10

public schools

South Carolina high schools

#115 of 216

In district

#18 of 32

Beaufort 01

Academic performance

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About May River High

May River High stands out as one of South Carolina's top-performing public high schools, serving 1,665 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1. The school has earned impressive recognition, ranking 56th out of 1,192 high schools statewide and placing in the 95th percentile with a strong MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10. Academically, May River High excels particularly in English Language Arts, where 89% of students achieve proficiency or above across all grade levels.

Mathematics performance shows 69% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards. These achievements reflect the dedication of the school's 109 full-time equivalent teachers and the supportive learning environment they create. The school serves a well-educated community in Bluffton's 29910 ZIP code, where 44% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $92,421.

The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 7.8%, contributing to a stable educational environment. With median home values around $383,200, the neighborhood reflects the growth and prosperity of the greater Bluffton area. May River High is situated in a rural setting near town, offering students the benefits of a more spacious campus while maintaining access to Bluffton's expanding amenities and opportunities in Beaufort County.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, May River High may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.5Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency69%
Reading/ELA Proficiency89%
Overall Proficiency79%
Expected (poverty-adj.)61%
vs. Expected+18.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile92th
College Readiness4.1Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation5.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,066

May River High — Students at May River High score 79% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 71.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 83.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
77%
ELA
79%
2021*
Math
69%
ELA
82%
2022
Math
69%
ELA
89%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How May River High Compares

See how May River High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.9/10
65th percentile in SC
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
7.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
109 teachers

Location

601 New Riverside Road, Bluffton, SC 29910

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering May River High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Bluffton High (rated 8.9/10, 4.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Ridgeland), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, The School of Liberal Studies at Savannah High (rated 7.2/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Savannah), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bluffton, see our Bluffton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Pritchardville Elementary Bluffton 1.9 mi 6.8
River Ridge Academy Bluffton 4.2 mi 8.1
H. E. McCracken Middle Bluffton 4.7 mi 7.9
Bluffton Elementary Bluffton 4.8 mi 7.8
Bluffton High Bluffton 4.9 mi 8.9
Bluffton Middle Bluffton 6.1 mi 7.3
MAY RIVER MONTESSORI SCHOOL Bluffton 6.5 mi 7.2
Red Cedar Elementary Bluffton 6.6 mi 8.7
Michael C. Riley Elementary Bluffton 6.8 mi 7.9
Okatie Elementary Bluffton 7.9 mi 8.6
Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences Charter Sch Hardeeville 7.8 mi 6.3
Hardeeville Junior /Senior High Hardeeville 8.7 mi
Hardeeville Elementary Hardeeville 8.7 mi 2.6
JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ridgeland 10.1 mi 6.7
JOHN PAUL II CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ridgeland 10.1 mi 7.8
Savannah Early College High School Savannah 11.7 mi 6.5
The School of Liberal Studies at Savannah High Savannah 11.7 mi 7.2
Coastal Middle School Savannah 12.3 mi 7.6
Marshpoint Elementary School Savannah 12.4 mi 9.5
Shuman Elementary School Savannah 12.1 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29910 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$96,122

Median Home Value

$420,200

Median Rent

$1,848/mo

Population

50,173

College Educated

46.4%

Homeownership

76.9%

Avg Commute

25.7 min

Poverty Rate

7.2%

Median Age

42.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding May River High has a median household income of $96,122. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $420,200, with a median rent of $1,848/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Camden High Camden, SC 6.9
Greenwood High Greenwood, SC 6.9
Hartsville High Hartsville, SC 6.9
Pickens High Pickens, SC 6.9
T. L. Hanna High Anderson, SC 6.9
Fort Dorchester High North Charleston, SC 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about May River High

What grades does May River High serve?

May River High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend May River High?

May River High has an enrollment of approximately 1,665 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at May River High?

The student-teacher ratio at May River High is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does May River High rank in SC?

May River High is ranked #412 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is May River High's MySchoolScout rating?

May River High has a composite rating of 6.9 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 May River High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, May River High has 71.7% math proficiency and 83.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is May River High a charter school?

No, May River High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is May River High a Title I school?

No, May River High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for May River High?

45.3% of students at May River 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (947/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bluffton). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,665
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
109
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Beaufort County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Beaufort 01
District Enrollment
21,489
Schools in District
32
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,232
District Rank
#18 of 32

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.

Read our full methodology

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