For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 9,085 students in Lancaster, SC (there are 1 private school, serving 334 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Lancaster, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in Lancaster, SC are Indian Land High School, Buford High School and Buford Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lancaster, SC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Lancaster have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of South Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public school average of 54% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Lancaster, SC (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Indian Land High School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6100 Charlotte Hwy
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 286-8470
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 286-8470
Gr: 9-12 | 1,905 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #22.
Buford High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
4290 Tabernacle Road
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 286-7068
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 286-7068
Gr: 9-12 | 532 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #33.
Buford Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1906 North Rocky River Road
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 286-0026
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 286-0026
Gr: PK-5 | 792 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #44.
Van Wyck Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4945 Charlotte Highway
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 313-6650
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 313-6650
Gr: PK-4 | 820 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #55.
Discovery Charter Of Lancaster
Charter School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
302 West Dunlap Street
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 285-8430
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 285-8430
Gr: K-5 | 146 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #66.
North Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1100 Roddey Drive
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 283-9918
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 283-9918
Gr: PK-5 | 645 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #77.
Lancaster High School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
625 Woodland Drive
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 283-2001
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 283-2001
Gr: 9-12 | 1,390 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #88.
Mcdonald Green Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2763 Lynwood Drive
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 285-7416
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 285-7416
Gr: PK-5 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #99.
Buford Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1890 North Rocky River Road
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 285-8473
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 285-8473
Gr: 6-8 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1010.
Erwin Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1477 Locustwood Avenue
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 285-8484
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 285-8484
Gr: PK-5 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1111.
Brooklyn Springs Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1637 Billings Drive
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 283-8471
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 283-8471
Gr: PK-5 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #1212.
A. R. Rucker Middle School
(Math: 12% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
422 Old Dixie Road
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 416-8555
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 416-8555
Gr: 6-8 | 477 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1313.
South Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1551 Billings Drive
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 283-8416
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 283-8416
Gr: 6-8 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1414.
Clinton Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
110 Clinton School Road
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 285-5395
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 285-5395
Gr: PK-5 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: n/an/a
Lancaster County School District Career Center
Vocational School
625 Normandy Road
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 289-4885
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 289-4885
Gr: 9-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Lancaster, SC?
The top-ranked public schools in Lancaster, SC include Indian Land High School, Buford High School and Buford Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Lancaster?
15 public schools are located in Lancaster.
What percentage of students in Lancaster go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Lancaster are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Lancaster?
Lancaster public schools minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Lancaster are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Lancaster include: A. R. Rucker Middle School vs. Buford Middle School, Lancaster High School vs. Buford High School, Erwin Elementary School vs. North Elementary School
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