#25 Best Private Schools in South Carolina
John Paul II Catholic School
Diocesan school · Grades 6–12
100% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Ridgeland, SC
A+Overall grade363 students10 students per teacher
2026 lists
Best Private Schools in South Carolina
Private schools in South Carolina with the highest overall grades. Top 50 of 163 schools.
#26 Best Private 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
#27 Best Private Schools in South Carolina
May River Montessori School
Montessori school · Grades Pre-K–9
Smaller classes than 80% of Montessori schools nationwide
Bluffton, SC
A+Overall grade74 students5 students per teacher
#28 Best Private Schools in South Carolina
Christ Church Episcopal School
Episcopal school · Grades K–12
The largest of 137 Christian schools in South Carolina
Greenville, SC
A+Overall grade1,276 students9 students per teacher
#29 Best Private 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
#30 Best Private Schools in South Carolina
Sundrops Montessori School
Montessori school · Grades Pre-K–9
Smaller classes than 99% of Montessori schools nationwide
Mount Pleasant, SC
A+Overall grade66 students2 students per teacher
#31 Best Private 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
#32 Best Private Schools in South Carolina
Christ Church Episcopal School
Episcopal school · Grades K–12
One of the 3 largest Christian schools in South Carolina
Greenville, SC
A+Overall grade1,205 students8 students per teacher
#33 Best Private 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
#34 Best Private Schools in South Carolina
John Paul II Catholic School
Diocesan school · Grades 6–12
89% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Ridgeland, SC
AOverall grade362 students9 students per teacher
#35 Best Private Schools in South Carolina
Holy Trinity Classical Christian School
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–12
95% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Beaufort, SC
AOverall grade308 students9 students per teacher
#36 Best Private 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
#37 Best Private Schools in South Carolina
St. Joseph School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–6
Smaller classes than 68% of Catholic schools in South Carolina
Columbia, SC
AOverall grade213 students8 students per teacher
#38 Best Private Schools in South Carolina
Heritage Christian Academy
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades Pre-K–8
Smaller classes than 61% of Christian schools in South Carolina
Lexington, SC
AOverall grade95 students7 students per teacher
#39 Best Private Schools in South Carolina
Camden Military Academy
Christian school (nondenominational) · Grades 7–12
85% of graduates go to four-year colleges
Camden, SC
AOverall gradeAll boys249 students8 students per teacher
#40 Best Private Schools in South Carolina
St. Peters Catholic School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–6
Serving families in Columbia since at least 2011
Columbia, SC
AOverall grade94 students9 students per teacher
#41 Best Private Schools in South Carolina
New Hope Carolinas
Alternative school · Grades 6–12
The only independent school in Rock Hill
Rock Hill, SC
AOverall grade138 students10 students per teacher
#42 Best Private Schools in South Carolina
Dillon Christian School
Presbyterian school · Grades Pre-K–12
One of the most diverse private schools in South Carolina
Dillon, SC
AOverall grade427 students11 students per teacher
#43 Best Private Schools in South Carolina
St. Anne School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only Catholic school in Rock Hill
Rock Hill, SC
AOverall grade282 students9 students per teacher
#44 Best Private Schools in South Carolina
Mullins Marion Christian School
Baptist school · Grades Pre-K–12
Smaller classes than 73% of Christian schools in South Carolina
Mullins, SC
AOverall grade61 students8 students per teacher
#45 Best Private Schools in South Carolina
North Walterboro Christian Academy
Baptist school · Grades Pre-K–12
Growing: enrollment up 45% since 2011–12
Walterboro, SC
AOverall grade160 students10 students per teacher
#46 Best Private Schools in South Carolina
St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–5
The smallest classes of any Catholic school in Greenville
Greenville, SC
AOverall grade97 students10 students per teacher
#47 Best Private Schools in South Carolina
Montessori School of Anderson
Montessori school · Grades Pre-K–12
The only Montessori school in Anderson
Anderson, SC
AOverall grade72 students6 students per teacher
#48 Best Private Schools in South Carolina
St. Michael Catholic School
Parish school · Grades Pre-K–6
Smaller classes than 64% of Catholic schools in South Carolina
Murrells Inlet, SC
AOverall grade83 students9 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.