For the 2026 school year, there are 74 blue ribbon public elementary schools serving 47,228 students in South Carolina.
Blue ribbon schools have been recognized by the Department of Education for achieving superior standards of academic excellence. Read more about this national school awards program and how blue ribbon schools work.
The top-ranked blue ribbon public elementary schools in South Carolina are Buist Academy, Lake Carolina Elementary Lower Campus and Sterling School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
South Carolina blue ribbon public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 63% (versus the South Carolina public elementary school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 65% (versus the 47% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public elementary school average of 54% (majority Black).
Best Blue Ribbon Public Elementary Schools in South Carolina (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Buist Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 93% | Reading: 96%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
103 Calhoun Street
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7750
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 724-7750
Gr: 3-8 | 521 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #22.
Lake Carolina Elementary Lower Campus
(Math: 92% | Reading: 97% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1151 Kelly Mill Road
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 714-1300
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 714-1300
Gr: PK-2 | 531 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #33.
Sterling School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
99 John Mccarroll Way
Greenville, SC 29607
(864) 355-4480
Greenville, SC 29607
(864) 355-4480
Gr: PK-8 | 749 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #44.
Mt. Pleasant Academy
(Math: 86% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
605 Center Street
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2826
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2826
Gr: PK-5 | 630 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #55.
Tigerville Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
25 Tigerville Elementary Schoo
Taylors, SC 29687
(864) 355-4600
Taylors, SC 29687
(864) 355-4600
Gr: PK-5 | 268 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #66.
Belle Hall Elementary School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
385 Egypt Road
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2841
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
(843) 849-2841
Gr: PK-5 | 649 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #77.
Charles Pinckney Elementary School
(Math: 87% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3300 Thomas Cario Boulevard
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 856-4585
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 856-4585
Gr: 3-5 | 644 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #88.
Rollings Middle School Of The Arts
(Math: 75% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
815 South Main Street
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 873-3610
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 873-3610
Gr: 6-8 | 797 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Oakview Elementary School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
515 Godfrey Road
Simpsonville, SC 29681
(864) 355-7100
Simpsonville, SC 29681
(864) 355-7100
Gr: PK-5 | 887 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
Wren Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
226 Roper Road
Piedmont, SC 29673
(864) 850-5950
Piedmont, SC 29673
(864) 850-5950
Gr: PK-5 | 646 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1111.
Beech Hill Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1001 Beech Hill Road
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 821-3970
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 821-3970
Gr: PK-5 | 1,079 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1212.
Clemson Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
581 Berkeley Drive
Clemson, SC 29631
(864) 397-1500
Clemson, SC 29631
(864) 397-1500
Gr: PK-5 | 794 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #1313.
Lake Murray Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
205 Wise Ferry Road
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 821-3100
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 821-3100
Gr: PK-5 | 813 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #1414.
Brockman Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2245 Montclair Drive
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 790-6743
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 790-6743
Gr: PK-5 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1515.
Coosa Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
45 Middle Road
Beaufort, SC 29907
(843) 322-6100
Beaufort, SC 29907
(843) 322-6100
Gr: PK-5 | 467 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1616.
Gold Hill Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1000 Dave Gibson Boulevard
Fort Mill, SC 29708
(803) 548-8250
Fort Mill, SC 29708
(803) 548-8250
Gr: K-5 | 815 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1717.
Wright Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1136 Wright School Road
Belton, SC 29627
(864) 296-1776
Belton, SC 29627
(864) 296-1776
Gr: K-5 | 193 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1818.
Howe Hall Aims Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
115 Howe Hall Road
Goose Creek, SC 29445
(843) 820-3899
Goose Creek, SC 29445
(843) 820-3899
Gr: K-5 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1919.
Fairfield Magnet For Math And Science
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1647 Us Highway 321 Bypass Nor
Winnsboro, SC 29180
(803) 635-4810
Winnsboro, SC 29180
(803) 635-4810
Gr: PK-6 | 188 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #2020.
Ocean Bay Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
950 International Drive
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-8400
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-8400
Gr: PK-5 | 1,181 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2121.
Jennie Moore Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2725 Bulrush Basket Lane
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 849-2815
Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
(843) 849-2815
Gr: PK-5 | 993 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #2222.
Midway Elementary School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
180 Midway Road
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 821-0300
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 821-0300
Gr: PK-5 | 856 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Royall Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1101 Cheraw Drive
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8167
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 664-8167
Gr: K-5 | 512 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #23 - 2423. - 24.
Skyland Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4221 Highway 14 North
Greer, SC 29651
(864) 355-7200
Greer, SC 29651
(864) 355-7200
Gr: PK-5 | 760 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #2525.
Okatie Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
53 Cherry Point Road
Okatie, SC 29909
(843) 322-7700
Okatie, SC 29909
(843) 322-7700
Gr: PK-5 | 648 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #2626.
St. James Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
9711 St. James Road
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 650-8220
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
(843) 650-8220
Gr: PK-4 | 884 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #2727.
Powdersville Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
139 Hood Road
Greenville, SC 29611
(864) 269-4431
Greenville, SC 29611
(864) 269-4431
Gr: 3-5 | 765 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #2828.
Spearman Elementary School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2001 Easley Highway
Piedmont, SC 29673
(864) 947-9787
Piedmont, SC 29673
(864) 947-9787
Gr: PK-5 | 804 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #2929.
Midway Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1221 Harriett Circle
Anderson, SC 29621
(864) 716-3800
Anderson, SC 29621
(864) 716-3800
Gr: PK-5 | 675 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #3030.
Carlisle-foster's Grove Elementary School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
625 Foster's Grove Road
Chesnee, SC 29323
(864) 578-2215
Chesnee, SC 29323
(864) 578-2215
Gr: PK-5 | 551 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #3131.
Mt. Lebanon Elementary School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2850 Lebanon Road
Pendleton, SC 29670
(864) 403-2400
Pendleton, SC 29670
(864) 403-2400
Gr: PK-6 | 459 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #3232.
A.j. Whittenberg Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
420 Westfield Street
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 452-0500
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 452-0500
Gr: PK-5 | 491 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #3333.
Forestbrook Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4000 Panthers Parkway
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 236-8100
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 236-8100
Gr: PK-5 | 930 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Bethel Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
111 Bethel School Road
Simpsonville, SC 29681
(864) 355-4100
Simpsonville, SC 29681
(864) 355-4100
Gr: K-5 | 915 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Ocean Drive Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
901 11th Avenue North
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
(843) 663-0195
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
(843) 663-0195
Gr: PK-5 | 852 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Show 39 more public schools in South Carolina (out of 74 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked blue ribbon public elementary schools in South Carolina?
The top-ranked blue ribbon public elementary schools in South Carolina include Buist Academy, Lake Carolina Elementary Lower Campus and Sterling School.
How many blue ribbon public elementary schools are located in South Carolina?
74 blue ribbon public elementary schools are located in South Carolina.
What is the racial composition of students in South Carolina?
South Carolina blue ribbon public elementary schools minority enrollment is 41% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public elementary schools average of 54% (majority Black).
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