Best Richland County Public Charter Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public charter schools serving 8,066 students in Richland County, SC.
The top-ranked public charter schools in Richland County, SC are Richland One Charter Middle College, Sc Whitmore School and Sc Connections Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Richland County, SC public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the South Carolina public charter school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 59% (versus the 57% statewide average). Charter schools in Richland County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public charter schools.
Minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public charter school average of 44% (majority Black).

Best Public Charter Schools in Richland County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Richland One Charter Middle College
Charter School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 80-89% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
316 South Beltline Boulevard R
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 738-7114
Gr: 11-12 | 106 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #22.
Sc Whitmore School
Charter School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
501 Commerce Drive Ne
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 476-6416
Gr: 9-12 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #33.
Sc Connections Academy
Charter School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
201 Executive Center Drive Sui
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 212-4712
Gr: K-12 | 6,152 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #44.
Green Charter School Midlands
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
7820 Broad River Road
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 563-5387
Gr: K-8 | 258 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #55.
Carolina School For Inquiry
Charter School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
7405-a Fairfield Road
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 691-1250
Gr: PK-6 | 114 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #66.
Clear Dot Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2015 Marion Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 567-3075
Gr: PK-11 | 474 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #77.
Palmetto Achievement Center For Excellence Academy
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
6015 N Main Street
Columbia, SC 29224
(803) 900-0664
Gr: 2-8 | 216 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: n/an/a
Berea
Charter School
3710 Landmark Drive Suite 201
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 734-8322
Rank: n/an/a
Carolus Online Academy
Charter School
101 Westpark Boulevard Suite C
Columbia, SC 29210
(866) 968-7512
Gr: K-12 | 1,786 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 53%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public charter schools in Richland County, SC?
The top-ranked public charter schools in Richland County, SC include Richland One Charter Middle College, Sc Whitmore School and Sc Connections Academy.
How many public charter schools are located in Richland County?
10 public charter schools are located in Richland County.
What is the racial composition of students in Richland County?
Richland County public charter schools minority enrollment is 43% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the South Carolina public charter schools average of 44% (majority Black).

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