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Best private high schools in South Carolina

Written by:
April 10, 2024
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Best private high schools in South Carolina

As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a '96 commencement address at Wellesley College, "Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead." If that's the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.

It's a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, education is key: 1.4 million students enrolled in private high schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There were about 3,600 private secondary schools nationwide as of 2020.

For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these private high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to send their kids to better schools. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.

Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in South Carolina using 2024 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students.

A class of high schoolers as viewed from the rear.
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#30. Ashley Hall School

- Location: Charleston, SC
- Enrollment: 637 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-

A student filling out a scantron form for a multiple choice test.
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#29. Hilton Head Christian Academy

- Location: Bluffton, SC
- Enrollment: 636 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-

A student talking to a teacher in the hallway.
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#28. Walnut Grove Christian School

- Location: Fort Mill, SC
- Enrollment: 215 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A-

A student standing next to their backpack as seen from the knee down.
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#27. Holly Hill Academy

- Location: Holly Hill, SC
- Enrollment: 315 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

Students walking down a hallway with their backs facing the camera.
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#26. Agape Christian Academy

- Location: Lobeco, SC
- Enrollment: 46 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A high school student doing a chemical experiment.
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#25. First Baptist School

- Location: Charleston, SC
- Enrollment: 427 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A high school student sitting at a desk writing on a piece of paper.
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#24. Oakbrook Preparatory School

- Location: Spartanburg, SC
- Enrollment: 441 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A student raising their hand in class.
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#23. John Paul II Catholic School

- Location: Ridgeland, SC
- Enrollment: 366 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

An empty school hallway lined with red lockers.
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#22. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School

- Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
- Enrollment: 75 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A student solving a math equation on a whiteboard.
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#21. Southside Christian School

- Location: Simpsonville, SC
- Enrollment: 1,300 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#20. Charleston Collegiate School

- Location: Johns Island, SC
- Enrollment: 320 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A hallway lined with green lockers.
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#19. Mead Hall Episcopal School

- Location: Aiken, SC
- Enrollment: 378 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

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#18. St. Anne Catholic School

- Location: Rock Hill, SC
- Enrollment: 313 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

An empty classroom as viewed from the back.
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#17. Pinewood Preparatory School

- Location: Summerville, SC
- Enrollment: 650 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A pencil case full of pens, pencils, and highlighters spilling on a table.
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#16. Beaufort Academy

- Location: Beaufort, SC
- Enrollment: 344 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A group of students walking down the hall with their backs facing the camera.
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#15. Saint Joseph's Catholic School

- Location: Greenville, SC
- Enrollment: 654 (13:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

An overhead view of high school pupils in group study sitting around circular tables.
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#14. University School of the Lowcountry

- Location: Mount Pleasant, SC
- Enrollment: 85 (5:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

Students using microscopes in science class.
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#13. Wilson Hall

- Location: Sumter, SC
- Enrollment: 800 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

High school students studying and reading together in their school library.
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#12. Cardinal Newman School

- Location: Columbia, SC
- Enrollment: 557 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

Students raising their hands for class participation.
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#11. Ben Lippen School

- Location: Columbia, SC
- Enrollment: 1,154 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A stack of textbooks with pens on top of them next to an open notebook.
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#10. Lowcountry Preparatory School

- Location: Pawleys Island, SC
- Enrollment: 226 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

Two students sharing a book.
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#9. Trinity Collegiate School

- Location: Darlington, SC
- Enrollment: 400 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A high school student doing classwork on their laptop.
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#8. Spartanburg Day School

- Location: Spartanburg, SC
- Enrollment: 440 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

A teacher writing an equation on a blackboard using chalk.
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#7. Camden Military Academy

- Location: Camden, SC
- Enrollment: 285 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

Students' backpacks sitting on a hallway floor.
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#6. Montessori School of Anderson

- Location: Anderson, SC
- Enrollment: 114 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A

Bookshelves at a high school's library.
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#5. The Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences

- Location: Georgetown, SC
- Enrollment: 46 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#4. Heritage Academy

- Location: Hilton Head Island, SC
- Enrollment: 77 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Two rows of red lockers.
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#3. Hammond School

- Location: Columbia, SC
- Enrollment: 999 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

Empty desks in a high school classroom.
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#2. Heathwood Hall Episcopal School

- Location: Columbia, SC
- Enrollment: 880 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

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#1. Christ Church Episcopal School

- Location: Greenville, SC
- Enrollment: 1,200 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
- Niche grade: Grade A+

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Emma Rubin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

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