Best Elementary Schools in South Carolina (2025-26)

Page 1 · Page 2 (500 schools per page)

Page 1 · Page 2 (500 schools per page)

A: 148B: 143C: 146D: 143F: 49

46% of the 629 ranked elementary schools in South Carolina earn an A or B (148 A grades, 143 B, 146 C, 143 D, 49 F), against 46% of elementary schools nationwide. 438 schools meet or beat the proficiency projected from their student context (70% here, 70% nationally), and 278 exceed it. On average 53% of tested students meet the state bar against a projected 34% (national averages: 46% actual, 37% projected).

The biggest overperformers, by actual proficiency above projection: Lower Lee Elementary (70% against 10%, A-), Fairfield Magnet For Math And Science (75% against 21%, A), Mathews Elementary (68% against 23%, A-), John C Calhoun Elementary (63% against 18%, B+), Woodfields Elementary (62% against 17%, B+).

Districts with the most schools in the top quarter (the top 158): Greenville 01 (26), Charleston 01 (18), Horry 01 (12), York 04 (10).

Cities with the most ranked elementary schools: Columbia (42, 7 at A or B), Greenville (26, 13 at A or B), Charleston (22, 14 at A or B), Summerville (15, 10 at A or B), Spartanburg (15, 5 at A or B).

The largest ranked elementary schools: Rudolph G Gordon School At Jones Mill (1,698 students, A, #74), E L Wright Middle (1,354 students, D, #488), River Oaks Elementary (1,314 students, A-, #141).

Of the top 25, 3 are magnet schools and 1 is a charter. Selective and specialised schools tend to post high actual scores; the projection column is the fairer comparison for a neighborhood school.

What is the best elementary school in South Carolina?

Buist Academy in Charleston ranks first among the 629 ranked elementary schools in South Carolina with a SchoolGrade of A+, 98% of tested students meeting the state bar against a projected 76%.

How are elementary schools in South Carolina ranked?

By SchoolGrade, the 2025-26 model that scores each school's actual test proficiency against the level projected for its student context, then by actual proficiency to break ties. Regular public schools that are open, not fully online and have at least 30 students are ranked; the rest are listed below the table with the reason.

How many elementary schools does South Carolina have?

SchoolGrade grades 700 public elementary schools in South Carolina; 629 are ranked here and 71 are listed as not ranked.