#1 Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
Spartanburg Day School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Spartanburg, SC
A+Overall grade455 students7 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
The highest-graded schools of this kind in South Carolina. Top 23 of 23 schools.
#2 Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
Ashley Hall School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The smallest classes of any independent school in Charleston
Charleston, SC
A+Overall grade543 students6 students per teacher
#3 Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
Oakbrook Preparatory School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 84% of independent schools in South Carolina
Spartanburg, SC
A+Overall grade393 students6 students per teacher
#4 Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
Charleston Collegiate School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
95% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Johns Island, SC
A+Overall grade363 students8 students per teacher
#5 Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
Hammond School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The largest of 33 independent schools in South Carolina
Columbia, SC
A+Overall grade944 students9 students per teacher
#6 Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
Thomas Hart Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–8
The only independent school in Hartsville
Hartsville, SC
A+Overall grade101 students5 students per teacher
#7 Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
Hilton Head Preparatory School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island, SC
AOverall grade402 students10 students per teacher
#8 Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
University School of the Lowcountry
Independent school · Grades 3–12
The only independent school in Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant, SC
AOverall grade84 students7 students per teacher
#9 Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
Richard Winn Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
90% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Winnsboro, SC
A-Overall grade212 students7 students per teacher
#10 Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
Center for Learning
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–5
Growing: enrollment up 67% since 2011–12
Columbia, SC
B+Overall grade72 students7 students per teacher
#11 Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
Charleston Day School
Independent school · Grades K–8
Small classes: about 7 students per teacher
Charleston, SC
B+Overall grade246 students7 students per teacher
#12 Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
Colleton Preparatory Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
85% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Walterboro, SC
B+Overall grade458 students9 students per teacher
#13 Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
93% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Johnston, SC
BOverall grade205 students9 students per teacher
#14 Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
Newberry Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Newberry
Newberry, SC
BOverall grade174 students9 students per teacher
#15 Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
Pinewood Preparatory School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Summerville
Summerville, SC
BOverall grade672 students12 students per teacher
#16 Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
Meeting Street Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–5
Growing: enrollment up 25% since 2017–18
Charleston, SC
BOverall grade209 students8 students per teacher
#17 Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
The Complete Student
Independent school · Grades 5–12
An independent school in Port Royal
Port Royal, SC
B-Overall grade100 students10 students per teacher
#18 Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
Orangeburg Preparatory School
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Orangeburg
Orangeburg, SC
B-Overall grade459 students11 students per teacher
#19 Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
Marlboro Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
95% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Bennettsville, SC
B-Overall grade256 students14 students per teacher
#20 Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
W Wyman King Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Serving families in Batesburg since at least 2011
Batesburg, SC
B-Overall grade194 students11 students per teacher
#21 Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
Thomas Heyward Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only independent school in Ridgeland
Ridgeland, SC
B-Overall grade256 students14 students per teacher
#22 Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
Calhoun Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Serving families in Saint Matthews since at least 2011
Saint Matthews, SC
B-Overall grade387 students13 students per teacher
#23 Best Independent Schools in South Carolina
Cambridge Academy
Independent school · Grades Pre-K–12
Growing: enrollment up 66% since 2011–12
Greenwood, SC
B-Overall grade212 students11 students per teacher
Grades compare each school's official facts, such as class size, how long it has served families and where graduates go, with similar schools. They're a starting point: visit, ask questions and trust what you see.