Excellent
#117 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 10% in state
Philip Simmons High
High School · Berkeley 01
3080 River Village Drive, Charleston, SC 29492
Enrollment
809
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
8.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
809
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
8.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Charleston
#13 of 31
public schools
South Carolina high schools
#36 of 216
In district
#1 of 46
Berkeley 01
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Philip Simmons High
Philip Simmons High serves 809 students in grades 9-12 in Charleston's Berkeley County, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1 with 55 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned strong recognition with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #120 out of 1,192 schools statewide, placing it in the 90th percentile of South Carolina high schools. Academically, Philip Simmons High demonstrates particular strength in English Language Arts, with an impressive 91% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels.
Mathematics performance shows 52% of students meeting proficiency standards, indicating an area with room for continued growth and development. The school draws from an affluent and highly educated community in the 29492 ZIP code, where 66% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the median household income reaches $104,289. With a median home value of $651,900 and a low poverty rate of just 4.6%, the area reflects a stable, prosperous community of nearly 20,000 residents.
Philip Simmons High sits in a rural setting near town, offering students the benefits of a more spacious, natural environment while maintaining accessibility to nearby Charleston amenities and opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Philip Simmons 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
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Philip Simmons High — Students at Philip Simmons High score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
31.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.7/10.
How Philip Simmons High Compares
See how Philip Simmons High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 72% (2019) to 91% (2022).
Location
3080 River Village Drive, Charleston, SC 29492
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Philip Simmons High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Lucy Garrett Beckham High (rated 8.5/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Mt. Pleasant), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Wando High (rated 8.3/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Mount Pleasant), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Oceanside Collegiate Academy (rated 7.0/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby Mount Pleasant), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Charleston, see our Charleston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Philip Simmons Middle Wando | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Philip Simmons Elementary Wando | 0.6 mi | 5.4 |
| PALMETTO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mount Pleasant | 4.7 mi | 4.7 |
| SUNDROPS MONTESSORI - DANIEL ISLAND Charleston | 4.0 mi | — |
| Belle Hall Elementary Mt. Pleasant | 4.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Thomas C. Cario Middle Mt. Pleasant | 4.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Charles Pinckney Elementary Mt. Pleasant | 4.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Laurel Hill Primary Mt. Pleasant | 4.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Oceanside Collegiate Academy Mount Pleasant | 4.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Laing Middle Mount Pleasant | 5.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Jennie Moore Elementary Mt. Pleasant | 5.6 mi | 5.9 |
| TRIDENT ACADEMY Mount Pleasant | 6.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Daniel Island School Charleston | 5.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Lucy Garrett Beckham High Mt. Pleasant | 6.3 mi | 8.5 |
| Carolina Park Elementary Mt. Pleasant | 5.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Wando High Mount Pleasant | 5.7 mi | 8.3 |
| James B. Edwards Elementary Mt. Pleasant | 6.8 mi | 8.3 |
| PALMETTO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mount Pleasant | 6.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Cainhoy Elementary Huger | 7.2 mi | 3.4 |
| SUNDROPS MONTESSORI BRIDGE CAMPUS Huger | 7.2 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29492 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$115,605
Median Home Value
$727,800
Median Rent
$1,924/mo
Population
19,753
College Educated
67.3%
Homeownership
60%
Avg Commute
26.8 min
Poverty Rate
5.1%
Median Age
38.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Philip Simmons High has a median household income of $115,605. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $727,800, with a median rent of $1,924/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Aynor High Aynor, SC | 8.0 |
| Southside High Greenville, SC | 8.0 |
| Marlboro County High Bennettsville, SC | 7.9 |
| Pelion High Pelion, SC | 7.9 |
| Ridgeland Secondary Academy of Excellence Ridgeland, SC | 8.1 |
| Academic Magnet High North Charleston, SC | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Philip Simmons High
What grades does Philip Simmons High serve?
Philip Simmons High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Philip Simmons High?
Philip Simmons High has an enrollment of approximately 809 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Philip Simmons High?
The student-teacher ratio at Philip Simmons High is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Philip Simmons High rank in SC?
Philip Simmons High is ranked #117 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Philip Simmons High's MySchoolScout rating?
Philip Simmons High has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Philip Simmons High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Philip Simmons High has 52.0% math proficiency and 85.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Philip Simmons High a charter school?
No, Philip Simmons High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Philip Simmons High a Title I school?
No, Philip Simmons High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Philip Simmons High?
31.8% of students at Philip Simmons 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
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 3 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 0 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 25 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (2,389/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Charleston). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 809
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 55
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 31.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Berkeley County
- Phone
- (843) 471-2960
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Berkeley 01- District Enrollment
- 39,265
- Schools in District
- 47
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,810
- District Rank
- #1 of 46
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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