Here are the 10 best public high schools in SC for 2025. See if your child’s school made the list
.jpg "These are the best ranked South Carolina public high schools for 2025.")
Is your child’s high school providing a quality education?
How would you even know for sure?
Niche has tried to answer those questions for parents.
The online platform, which collects data on K-12 schools and colleges in the U.S. to aid students and families when deciding on enrollment, has compiled a ranking of 256 public high schools in South Carolina for 2025.
Greenville was the only city with two schools in the top 10 this year.
All of the schools in the top 10 received A+ overall scores from Niche.
The ranking is based on analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents, using data from the U.S. Department of Education, Niche’s website states. Ranking factors include state test scores, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, and high school ratings.
According to a recent study by WalletHub, South Carolina has struggled with education overall. The study ranks South Carolina 38th among most educated states in the U.S. The study compared all 50 states across 18 metrics that examined the key factors of a well-educated population, including educational attainment, school quality and achievement gaps between genders and races.
Below is a list of the 10 best public high schools in South Carolina, according to Niche. For the complete ranking of South Carolina schools, click here.
#1 South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics
- Address: 401 Railroad Avenue, Hartsville
- School type: Public school
- Website: scgssm.org
South Carolina Governor’s School for Science & Mathematics has 288 students in grades 11-12, Niche states. According to state test scores, 95% of students are at least proficient in math and 95% in reading. The school also ranks first in best public high school teachers and best college prep public high schools in South Carolina.
#2 Academic Magnet High School
- Address: 5109-A West Enterprise Street, North Charleston
- School type: Magnet school
- Website: ccsdschools.com/amhs
Academic Magnet High School has 719 students in grades 9-12 and a student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1, Niche states. And 95% of students are at least proficient in math and 95% in reading, state test scores show. The school is also ranked first among best magnet high schools and second among best college prep public high schools in South Carolina.
#3 Spring Hill High School
- Address: 11629 Broad River Road, Chapin
- School type: Magnet school
- Website: lexrich5.org/domain/29
Spring Hill High School has 1,089 students in grades 9-12, with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1, Niche states. According to state test scores, 72% of students are at least proficient in math and 96% in reading. The school also ranks second among best magnet high schools and third among best public high school teachers in South Carolina.
#4 Mayo High School for Math, Science & Technology
- Address: 405 Chestnut St., Darlington
- School type: Magnet school
- Website: https://www.dcsdschools.org
Mayo High School for Math, Science & Technology has 334 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 15-1. State test scores show 90% of students are at least proficient in math and 95% in reading. The school is also ranked third among best magnet high schools in South Carolina.
#5 SC Governor’s School for Arts & Humanities
- Address: 15 University Street, Greenville
- School type: Public school
- Website: scgsah.org
SC Governor’s School for Arts & Humanities has 233 students in 10-12 grades. According to its website, the school lets “young artists from across the state explore and refine their talents in a one-of-a-kind, arts-centered community while gaining pre-professional training in creative writing, dance, drama, music, or visual arts.”
It’s also ranked first in best high schools for the arts and second for best public high school teachers in South Carolina.
#6 HCS Early College High School
- Address: 2050 Hwy. 501 East HGTC, Conway
- School type: Magnet school
- Website: https://www.horrycountyschools.net/Early_College_High
HCS Early College High School has 313 students in grades 9-12 and a student-teacher ratio of 15-1, Niche states. State test scores show that 90% of students are at least proficient in math and 95% in reading. The school is also ranked fourth among best magnet high schools in South Carolina.
#7 Catawba Ridge High School
- Address: 1180 Fort Mill Parkway, Fort Mill
- School type: Public
- Website: crhs.fortmillschools.org
Catawba Ridge High School has 1,530 students in grades 9-12 and a student-teacher ratio of 16-1, Niche states. State test scores show that 80% of students are at least proficient in math and 98% in reading. The school also ranks 12th among best college prep public high schools in the state.
#8 Greenville Technical Charter High School
- Address: 506 Pleasantburg Drive #119, Greenville
- School type: Charter school
- Website: gtchs.org
Greenville Technical Charter High School has 498 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1. According to state test scores, 90% of students are at least proficient in math and 95% in reading. The school also ranks first among the best charter high schools in South Carolina.
#9 Berkeley County Middle College High School
- Address: 1001 South Live Oak Dr., Moncks Corner
- School type: Magnet school
- Website: www.bcsdschools.net/o/BMC
Berkeley County Middle College High School has 101 students in grades 11-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 20 to 1. According to state test scores, 90% of students are at least proficient in math and 90% in reading. The school also ranks fifth among the best magnet schools in South Carolina.
#10 River Bluff High School
- Address: 320 Corley Mills Rd., Lexington
- School type: Public school
- Website: https://www.lexington1.net/RBHS
River Bluff High School has 2,197 students in grades 9-12, with a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1. State test scores show that 70% of students are at least proficient in math and 95% in reading. The school also ranks 11th among the best college prep public high schools in South Carolina.
