Best High Schools in Charleston, SC

The city of Charleston, South Carolina is home to 5 high schools, serving students in grades 9-12. These schools are located within the Charleston 01 and Berkeley 01 school districts. The data reveals significant differences in academic performance across these institutions, with James Island Charter High and Charleston Charter School for Math and Science consistently outperforming their peers, particularly in math and English.

James Island Charter High and Charleston Charter School for Math and Science stand out as the top-performing high schools in the area, both earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. These schools boast exceptional test scores, with over 90% proficiency in key subjects like Algebra 1 and English 2. In contrast, the other high schools in the area, including West Ashley High, Philip Simmons High, and Burke High, demonstrate more varied academic performance.

Despite the differences in academic achievement, all 5 high schools in Charleston maintain a graduation rate above the state average of 85.4% and a dropout rate below the state average of 2.3%. However, the data also reveals a concerning trend of high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 22.5% to 22.5% across the schools. This issue may require further investigation and targeted interventions to address the underlying causes. Additionally, the wide range in per-student spending, from $13,988 to $48,990, raises questions about resource allocation and its impact on student outcomes.