Summary:
Zip code 29910, encompassing the Bluffton, SC area, is served by two public high schools—May River High and Bluffton High—both part of the Beaufort 01 school district, offering grades 9-12 with a combined enrollment of over 3,100 students.
For parents comparing the two, Bluffton High currently edges out May River High as the higher-performing school overall. Bluffton High holds a stronger state ranking (62nd vs. 89th), a slightly higher graduation rate (93.5% vs. 92.1%), and a lower dropout rate (0.8% vs. 0.9%). It also outperforms May River in three of four core subjects—English 1 (74% vs. 64%), Algebra 1 (59% vs. 61% from the prior year), and U.S. History (73% vs. 65%)—while spending more per student ($14,631 vs. $13,762) and maintaining a slightly better student-teacher ratio (14.9 vs. 15.5). May River High, however, shines in English 2, posting an impressive 85.3% proficiency rate that tops both the district and state averages, and it has a marginally lower chronic absenteeism rate (29.3% vs. 30.1%).
Both schools share notable strengths and challenges. They are well above state averages for graduation and test scores, particularly in English, where both exceed 84% proficiency. However, chronic absenteeism is a significant concern—hovering near 30% at each school, far above the district (21.3%) and state (22.3%) averages—even as graduation rates remain high. Additionally, both schools saw a sharp drop in state rankings from 2023-2024 to 2024-2025, followed by partial recovery, and Bluffton High experienced a dramatic decline in Algebra 1 proficiency (from 74.9% to 59.3%), which may signal a curriculum or cohort shift worth monitoring. Overall, families can expect solid, above-average academics with a clear edge to Bluffton High in most metrics, though May River's English 2 results are a standout.
Thank you for your feedback!