Here are the 10 best public elementary schools in SC for 2025. See if your child’s school made it
Most parents review their child’s report cards, but what about the performance of their schools?
Niche wants to help.
The online platform, which collects data on K-5 schools in the U.S. to aid students and families when deciding enrollment, recently compiled a ranking of 716 public elementary schools in South Carolina for 2025.
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, teacher quality and school diversity.
Below is a list of the 10 best public elementary schools in South Carolina, according to Niche. For the complete ranking of South Carolina schools, click here.
#1 Gold Hill Elementary School
- Address: 1000 Dave Gibson Blvd., Tega Cay
- School type: Public school
- Website: https://www.fortmillschools.org/
Gold Hill Elementary School has 877 students in grades K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1, Niche states. According to state test scores, 74% of students are at least proficient in math and 75% in reading. The school also ranks 19th for best public elementary school teachers in South Carolina.
#2 Tega Cay Elementary School
- Address: 2185 Gold Hill Road, Tega Cay
- School type: Public school
- Website: https://tces.fortmillschools.org/
Tega Cay Elementary School has 782 students in grades K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1, Niche states. According to state test scores, 82% of students are at least proficient in math and 82% in reading. The school also ranks 18th for best public elementary school teachers in South Carolina.
#3 Pleasant Knoll Elementary School
- Address: 2346 Pleasant Rd., Fort Mill
- School type: Public school
- Website: https://pkes.fortmillschools.org/
Pleasant Knoll Elementary School has 827 students in grades K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1, Niche states. According to state test scores, 76% of students are at least proficient in math and 74% in reading. The school also ranks 20th for best public elementary school teachers in South Carolina.
#4 Kings Town Elementary
- Address: 1774 Mason Bend Dr., Fort Mill
- School type: Public school
- Website: ktes.fortmillschools.org/
Kings Town Elementary School has 875 students in grades PK, K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 14-1, Niche states. According to state test scores, 77% of students are at least proficient in math and 72% in reading. The school also ranks 24th for most diverse public elementary school in York County.
#5 River Trail Elementary School
- Address: 1016 Fort Mill Parkway, Fort Mill
- School type: Public school
- Website: rtes.fortmillschools.org/
River Trail Elementary School has 706 students in grades PK, K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 13-1. According to state test scores, 70% of students are at least proficient in math and 73% in reading.
#6 Doby’s Bridge Elementary School
- Address: 1000 Dragon Way, Fort Mill
- School type: Public school
- Website: https://dbes.fortmillschools.org/
Doby’s Bridge Elementary School has 744 students in grades K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1, Niche states. According to state test scores, 75% of students are at least proficient in math and 75% in reading. The school also ranks 25th for best public elementary school teachers in South Carolina.
#7 Sugar Creek Elementary School
- Address: 1599 Farm House Rd., Fort Mill
- School type: Public school
- Website: https://sces.fortmillschools.org/
Sugar Creek Elementary School has 780 students in grades PK and K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1, Niche states. According to state test scores, 60% of students are at least proficient in math and 70% in reading. The school also ranks 14th for more diverse public elementary schools in South Carolina.
#8 Springfield Public Elementary School
- Address: 1691 Springfield Parkway, Fort Mill
- School type: Public school
- Website: https://sfes.fortmillschools.org/
Springfield Elementary School has 841 students in grades K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1. According to state test scores, 64% of students are at least proficient in math and 70% in reading. The school also ranks 42nd for best public school teachers in South Carolina.
#9 Orchard Park Elementary School
- Address: 474 Third Baxter St., Fort Mill
- School type: Public school
- Website: https://www.fortmillschools.org/
Orchard Park Elementary School has 555 students in grades K-5, with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1. State test scores show that 71% if students are at least proficient in math and 79% in reading. The school also ranks 7th for best public elementary school teachers in South Carolina.
#10 Fort Mill Elementary School
- Address: 192 Springfield Parkway, Fort Mill
- School type: Public school
- Website: https://www.fortmillschools.org/
Fort Mill Elementary School has 774 students in grades PK and K-5 with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1, Niche states. According to state test scores, 63% of students are at least proficient in math and 67% in reading. The school also ranks 29th for best public elementary school teachers in South Carolina.
This story was originally published March 18, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
