Brashier Middle College Charter High

Brashier Middle College Charter High is a small, highly selective public charter school in Simpsonville, SC, serving 511 students in grades 9-12 and consistently ranking among the top high schools in the state.

This school is a standout performer. It currently ranks 6th out of 245 high schools in South Carolina (98th percentile) and has earned a 5-star rating for six consecutive years. What truly sets Brashier apart is its combination of elite academics and exceptional student engagement. The graduation rate is a perfect 100%, the dropout rate is 0.0%, and chronic absenteeism sits at just 3.5%—a fraction of the state average of 22.3%. Test scores are equally impressive, with proficiency rates running 20-40 percentage points above state averages. For example, 93.7% of students were proficient in English 1, compared to about 61% statewide. The school also ranks 5th in the state for its effectiveness with Low Socio-Economic Status students, showing it achieves excellent results across all student groups, not just a select few.

Compared to nearby schools, the gap is striking. While Mauldin High is a solid performer (ranked 33rd), its chronic absenteeism rate of 23.3% is 20 percentage points higher than Brashier's. Southside High, ranked 150th, has a graduation rate of 84.4% and a chronic absenteeism rate of 44.0%. Even Greenville Technical Charter High, the next-best charter at 9th in the state, trails Brashier. Notably, Brashier achieves these results while spending less per student ($11,198) than every traditional public high school in the area. The school's "Middle College" model, which allows students to earn college credits, appears to drive the remarkable motivation and engagement seen in its student body. The only minor nuance is slightly lower proficiency in Algebra 1 compared to other subjects—still outstanding at 94.44%—suggesting a small area for continued focus.