South Carolina Education Directory

Comprehensive guide to South Carolina's K-12 and higher education system, serving over 793,000 public school students and 252,000 college students across 79 school districts and 56 colleges and universities

793,779

K-12 Public School Students

2024-2025 School Year
$47,500

Starting Teacher Salary

Minimum for new teachers
86.7%

Graduation Rate

Best in 10 years
56

Colleges & Universities

33 public, 23 private

Table of Contents

📚 South Carolina Education Overview

The South Carolina Department of Education oversees public education for over 793,000 K-12 students across 1,274 public schools in 79 school districts. The state education system continues to evolve with significant investments in teacher compensation, literacy initiatives, and educational technology.

Leadership and Mission

State Superintendent: Ellen E. Weaver has served as South Carolina's 19th State Superintendent of Education since January 11, 2023.

Mission: To serve students, support teachers, empower parents, and engage in the community so that every student graduates prepared to reach their full potential.

Strategic Goal: By 2030, at least 75% of students perform at or above grade level, with every South Carolina student graduating college-ready, career-ready, or military-ready.

State Board of Education

The South Carolina State Board of Education serves as the policy-making body for public elementary and secondary education in South Carolina. The Board consists of 17 members - one representative from each of the sixteen judicial circuits, plus one member appointed by the governor.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Developing annual budget requests
  • Establishing teacher certification requirements
  • Approving textbook policies
  • Adopting education standards and curriculum requirements
  • Promulgating regulations governing the state's education system
  • Hearing appeals on teacher certification challenges

🎓 K-12 Education System

Enrollment Statistics

  • Total Public School Students: 793,779 (2024-2025)
  • Total Public Schools: 1,274 schools
  • School Districts: 79 districts statewide
  • Charter Schools: 81 schools
  • Private Schools: 433 schools serving 72,912 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Public School Attendance: 92% of all K-12 students (vs 90% national average)

Academic Performance

  • Graduation Rate: 86.7% (2024, best in 10 years)
  • College/Career Ready: 75.1% of graduates
  • Math Proficiency: 43% at or above grade level
  • Reading Proficiency: 52% at or above grade level
  • Minority Enrollment: 53% of students
  • Chronic Absenteeism: 23% (2022-2023)

SC READY Testing and Accountability

The South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Assessments (SC READY) program is a statewide assessment administered to students in grades 3-8 as required by the Education Accountability Act (EAA).

Testing Requirements (2024-2025):

  • English Language Arts (ELA): Grades 3-8
  • Mathematics: Grades 3-8
  • Science: Grades 4 and 6 only (Grade 8 testing suspended)
  • Social Studies: Not assessed in 2024-25 (previously grades 5 and 7)

Performance Levels:

  • Exceeds Expectations
  • Meets Expectations
  • Approaches Expectations
  • Does Not Meet Expectations

SC READY results are used in calculating Report Card Absolute Ratings, Growth Ratings, and federal accountability status. All tests are administered online in grades 3-8.

đŸĢ Major School Districts

South Carolina operates 79 school districts serving over 793,000 students. Here are the largest and highest-rated districts in the state:

#1 Greenville County Schools

Location: Greenville

Students: 76,939

Schools: 92

Ranking: Largest district in SC, 44th largest in the United States

#2 Charleston County School District

Location: Charleston

Students: 45,000

Schools: 80

Ranking: Second largest district in SC

#3 Horry County Schools

Location: Conway

Students: 46,000+

Schools: 57

Ranking: Third largest district in SC

Other Major Districts

Richland County Districts:

  • Richland School District 2: 32 schools, 28,000+ students (Blythewood area)
  • Richland School District 1: 48 schools, 22,151 students (Columbia, 7th largest in state)

Lexington County Districts:

  • Lexington-Richland District 5: 22 schools, 17,494 students (Irmo area)
  • Lexington School District 1: Located in Lexington

Top-Rated School Districts in South Carolina

Based on Niche.com's 2024 Best Schools in America rankings:

  1. Lexington-Richland School District Five (Irmo) A Overall
    • Ranked #2 Best School District in South Carolina
    • #1 Best School District in the Midlands
    • #1 Best Places to Teach in South Carolina
    • #3 District with the Best Teachers
    • 88% graduation rate, 13:1 student-teacher ratio
  2. Richland School District 2 (Blythewood)
    • Ranked #6 Best School District in South Carolina
    • 70% of students proficient in reading and math
    • 26,780 students in 31 schools
  3. Lexington School District 1 (Lexington)
    • Ranked #7 Best School District in South Carolina

Note: Rankings are based on academics, teachers, clubs and activities, diversity, college prep, and administration quality.

🎓 Higher Education

South Carolina offers 56 colleges and universities, including 33 public institutions organized into four sectors: research universities, doctorate professional universities, four-year comprehensive teaching institutions, and technical colleges.

Overall Statistics

  • Total Enrollment (2023-2024): 252,885 students
  • Undergraduate Students: 222,405
  • Graduate Students: 30,425
  • Public Institution Enrollment: 206,878
  • Private Institution Enrollment: 45,658
  • Four-Year Universities: ~158,000 students
  • Technical Colleges: 147,000+ annually

Enrollment Trends

South Carolina's higher education enrollment has remained stable in 2024, avoiding the "enrollment cliff" experienced by many states.

  • 2024 Outlook: Enrollment flat compared to 2023
  • Record Applications: USC received over 50,000 applications, Clemson over 60,000
  • Technical College Placement Rate: 93% job placement
  • Technical College Trend: Slight growth in fall 2023 after years of decline

Major Universities

University of South Carolina

Location: Columbia

Enrollment: 36,579 students

Ranking: Largest university in SC

Clemson University

Location: Clemson

Enrollment: 28,747 students

Ranking: Second largest university in SC

College of Charleston

Location: Charleston

Enrollment: 11,729 students

Ranking: Third largest university in SC

SC Technical College System

The SC Technical College System includes 16 technical colleges offering 74 degrees, 19 diplomas, and over 900 certificate programs in high-demand, high-paying fields.

Technical Colleges Include:

  • Trident Technical College (North Charleston) - Largest two-year college
  • Horry-Georgetown Technical College (Myrtle Beach)
  • Florence-Darlington Technical College
  • York Technical College
  • Central Carolina Technical College
  • Technical College of the Lowcountry
  • Greenville Technical College
  • Midlands Technical College
  • Spartanburg Community College
  • Tri-County Technical College
  • Piedmont Technical College
  • Aiken Technical College
  • Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College
  • Denmark Technical College
  • Northeastern Technical College
  • Williamsburg Technical College

View Complete List of South Carolina Colleges and Universities

💰 Education Funding and Budget

Per Pupil Funding

$18,842

Estimated Total Revenue Per Pupil (FY 2024-25)

Recent Increases:

  • FY 2023-24: ~$17,000 per student
  • FY 2024-25: $18,842 per student
  • Increase: Approximately $1,842 per student (10.8% increase)

Funding Sources

South Carolina school funding comes from multiple sources:

  • State Aid to Classrooms: Primary state K-12 appropriation (replaced Education Finance Act in 2022)
  • State Property Tax Reimbursements: State-funded property tax relief
  • Local Property Taxes: District-level taxation
  • Local Fees and Charges: School-based fees and charges
  • Federal Funding: Federal grants and programs

Education Reform and Funding Changes

In 2022, the South Carolina General Assembly adopted comprehensive education reform and implemented a new funding formula for State Aid to Classrooms, replacing the decades-old Education Finance Act.

Key Changes:

  • New student-based funding formula for more equitable distribution
  • Increased transparency through the Education Funding Dashboard
  • District-by-district comparison tools for revenue per student
  • Enhanced tracking of how districts spend funding
  • Weighted funding for students with additional needs

Recent Funding Investments

  • Teacher Pay: $200 million to increase minimum first-year teacher salary to $47,500 (2024-2025)
  • LETRS Training: Funding to train all K-3 teachers in reading instruction by 2025-2026
  • Palmetto Math Project: Resources for math proficiency improvement
  • School Infrastructure: Ongoing investments in facilities and technology
  • Special Education: Increased funding for students with disabilities
  • School Safety: Enhanced security measures and mental health resources

👨‍đŸĢ Teacher Information

Teacher Salaries 2024-2025

$47,500

Minimum Starting Salary (Bachelor's Degree)

Salary Schedule:

  • Starting Salary: $47,500 (up from $42,500 in 2023-24)
  • Average Teacher Salary: $54,287
  • Experience Levels: 28-step salary schedule (expanded from 23 steps)
  • Advanced Degree Supplement: $5,000-$10,000+ annually

Certification Bonuses and Supplements

National Board Certification:

  • Pre-July 1, 2010 applicants (10-year certificate): $7,500 annual supplement
  • All other teachers (5 or 10-year certificate): $5,000 annual supplement

Additional Certifications:

  • ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages): Salary supplement eligible
  • Gifted and Talented Endorsement: Additional compensation
  • Reading Coach Certification: Supplemental pay
  • Special Education Certification: Additional compensation

Regional Variations: Teachers in metro areas like Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville typically earn more than rural counterparts, with urban districts offering higher base salaries.

Teacher Shortage Areas

Critical Need Status (2024-25): Nearly 70 subject areas and more than 1,400 schools in South Carolina were identified as critical shortage areas.

Teacher Vacancy Trends:

  • 2024 Vacancies: 1,043 open positions
  • 2023 Vacancies: 1,600+ open positions
  • Improvement: First decrease since 2019, but still above pre-pandemic levels

High-Need Subject Areas:

  • Mathematics (all levels)
  • Science (all levels)
  • Special Education
  • World Languages
  • Career and Technical Education
  • English as a Second Language
  • Gifted and Talented
  • School Counseling

Teacher Support Programs

  • LETRS Training: Free Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling training for all K-3 teachers
  • SC-CREATE: Tuition-free coursework for full-time public school employees to complete special education certifications
  • Professional Development: State-funded continuing education and training programs
  • Mentorship Programs: Support for new teachers through structured mentorship
  • National Board Certification Support: Resources and funding to pursue National Board Certification
  • Retired Teacher Return Program: Initiatives to bring retired teachers back to address shortages

🌟 Special Programs and Services

Special Education

Students Served: 13.8% of students have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), slightly above the 13% national average

Services Include:

  • Individualized instruction and support
  • Related services (speech, occupational therapy, etc.)
  • Assistive technology
  • Specialized program models
  • Early childhood services (ages 3-5)
  • Transition services

Eligibility: Children ages 3-21 qualify for special education services in South Carolina

Multilingual Learner Programs

Students Served: Nearly 66,719 English language learners (2022)

Top Languages:

  1. Spanish
  2. Russian
  3. Vietnamese
  4. Chinese
  5. Arabic

Services:

  • Small group instruction
  • Push-in classroom support
  • Consultative services
  • Dedicated ML classes
  • ACCESS for ELLs assessment

Gifted and Talented

Identification: Students screened in 2nd grade using CogAT and Iowa Assessments

Services (Grades 3-12):

  • Differentiated instruction
  • Enrichment opportunities
  • Acceleration options
  • Social-emotional support
  • Advanced coursework

Teacher Requirements:

All gifted and talented teachers must complete a state-approved endorsement program. Free graduate courses available through the GT Graduate Course Program Grant.

Program Resources and Support

Special Education Resources:

  • SC-CREATE: Tuition-free special education certification for public school employees
  • SC School for the Deaf and Blind: Specialized services
  • Research to Practice Institute: Professional development
  • Office of Special Education Services: Support for educators and families

Multilingual Learner Resources:

  • Title III Funding: Federal grants for ML programs
  • WIDA Assessments: English proficiency testing
  • Adult ESL Programs: Services for adult English learners
  • ML Certification: Graduate certificate programs at College of Charleston and other institutions

Gifted and Talented Resources:

  • South Carolina Consortium for Gifted Education: State advocacy and professional learning organization
  • State Regulation 43-220: Mandates services for all identified gifted students
  • GT Endorsement Program: Free tuition for teachers pursuing gifted certification
  • District GT Coordinators: Local support and program coordination

🏛ī¸ School Choice Options

Charter Schools

Total Charter Schools: 81 public charter schools operating statewide

Growth Trend:

  • 2015-16: 68 charter schools (~31,300 students)
  • 2024: 81 charter schools
  • Percentage: 4.15% of total public enrollment

Authorizers:

  • South Carolina Public Charter School District (SCPCSD)
  • Charter Institute at Erskine
  • Limestone Charter Association
  • Local school districts

Private Schools

Total Private Schools: 433 schools serving 72,912 students

Enrollment Trends:

  • 2019-20: 5.9% of students in private schools
  • 2021-22: 6.8% of students in private schools
  • Current: Steady enrollment with slight growth

School Types:

  • Religious schools (Catholic, Christian, etc.)
  • Independent preparatory schools
  • Montessori schools
  • Special needs schools

Homeschooling

Homeschool Rate: 8.00% of K-12 students (2023-24)

Growth Trends:

  • 2017-18: Baseline year
  • 2019-20: 2.4% homeschooled
  • 2021-22: 3.5% homeschooled
  • 2022-23: 6.74% homeschooled
  • 2023-24: 8.00% homeschooled
  • Overall Increase: 49% growth since 2017-18

Homeschooling experienced a 45% jump in 2019-20 and has maintained steady growth since.

Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF)

Program Status: The program faced legal challenges in 2024 with significant changes to its implementation.

Original Program Design:

  • Award Amount: $6,000 education savings account (ESA)
  • Eligibility: Income-eligible students
  • Allowed Uses: Tutoring, textbooks, technology, testing fees, special needs services, transportation, and private school tuition

2024 Supreme Court Ruling:

In September 2024, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled 3-2 that using taxpayer dollars for private school tuition in the voucher program is unconstitutional. However, the court allowed ESA funds to continue being used for other educational services.

Homeschool Access:

In 2024, the ESTF legislation was amended to remove the exclusion of homeschooled children, offering South Carolina homeschool families financial aid for the first time.

Other School Choice Options

  • Open Enrollment: Some districts allow transfers within the district or between districts
  • Magnet Schools: Specialized public schools with themed curricula (STEM, arts, etc.)
  • Virtual Schools: Full-time online public schools like South Carolina Connections Academy
  • Career Centers: Regional career and technology centers offering specialized training
  • Early College Programs: High school students earn college credits

ℹī¸ Practical Information

South Carolina Department of Education

Physical Address:
1429 Senate Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(Historic location - agency moved to Lexington County in 2024)

Mailing Address:
1429 Senate Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Phone: (803) 734-8815

Website: ed.sc.gov

Business Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Closed on state holidays)

Key Contact Information

State Superintendent of Education:

Ellen E. Weaver
Email: [email protected]

Important Departments:

  • Office of Special Education Services: (803) 734-8806
  • Office of Assessment: Testing and accountability
  • Office of Federal and State Accountability: Title programs
  • Office of Finance: School funding and budgets
  • Office of Educator Certification: Teacher licensing

Important Resources

Education Associations

  • South Carolina Education Association (SCEA): thescea.org - Teacher union representing educators statewide
  • SC School Boards Association: scsba.org - Support for school board members
  • Public Charter School Alliance of SC: sccharterschools.org
  • SC Consortium for Gifted Education: scgifted.org
  • SC PTA: Parent-teacher organization resources
  • Palmetto Promise Institute: palmettopromise.org - Education policy research

Online Services and Portals

For Educators:

  • Educator Portal: Teacher certification and licensing
  • PowerSchool: Student information system (varies by district)
  • SCLead: sclead.org - Leadership development
  • Professional Development: Online training and courses

For Students & Parents:

  • Student Assessment Portal: SC READY and other test results
  • District Portals: Check with local district for parent/student access
  • Free College Application: Common application resources
  • SC Student Loan: Financial aid information

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

South Carolina public schools serve 793,779 K-12 students across 1,274 schools in 79 school districts (2024-2025 school year). This represents approximately 92% of all K-12 students in the state. Additionally, 433 private schools serve 72,912 students, and approximately 8% of students are homeschooled. South Carolina has maintained enrollment growth post-pandemic, with about 9,700 more students than pre-pandemic 2019 levels, bucking the national trend of declining public school enrollment.

The minimum starting salary for first-year teachers with a bachelor's degree is $47,500 for the 2024-2025 school year, representing a $5,000 increase from the previous year's $42,500. This marks a 47% increase from the 2018-2019 minimum of $32,000. The average teacher salary in South Carolina is $54,287. Teachers with advanced degrees (master's or doctorate) qualify for salary supplements of $5,000 to $10,000 or more per year. Additional certifications such as National Board Certification provide annual supplements of $5,000-$7,500. The state has expanded the salary schedule from 23 steps to 28 steps, covering up to 28 years of teaching experience.

South Carolina achieved an 86.7% on-time high school graduation rate for 2024, the best mark in 10 years. However, there is a concerning gap between graduation rates and college/career readiness. While 86.7% of students graduate, only 75.1% are deemed ready for college or a career. This disconnect reveals challenges with grade inflation and educational standards. Academic proficiency data shows that about 40% of students scored at or above proficiency in math, while only 32% reached proficiency in reading in 2024, highlighting the need for improved academic preparation despite high graduation rates.

The five largest school districts in South Carolina are: (1) Greenville County School District - 76,939 students in 92 schools, the largest district in SC and 44th largest in the United States; (2) Horry County Schools - 46,000+ students in 57 schools; (3) Charleston County School District - 45,000 students in 80 schools, the second largest district in SC; (4) Richland School District 2 - 28,000+ students in 32 schools (Blythewood area); and (5) Richland School District 1 - 22,151 students in 48 schools (Columbia area, 7th largest in state). These five districts serve approximately 240,000 students, representing about 30% of the state's total public school enrollment.

South Carolina's estimated total revenue per pupil for fiscal year 2024-25 is $18,842, representing approximately a 10.8% increase from the previous year's spending of about $17,000 per student. This funding comes from multiple sources including State Aid to Classrooms (which replaced the Education Finance Act in 2022), state property tax reimbursements, local property taxes, local fees and charges, and federal funding. In 2022, the General Assembly adopted education reform with a new student-based funding formula designed for more equitable distribution. The state now provides an Education Funding Dashboard where residents can track district-by-district spending, revenue per student, teacher salaries, and other transparency metrics.

SC READY (South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Assessments) is a statewide assessment program administered to students in grades 3-8 as required by the Education Accountability Act. For 2024-25, students in grades 3-8 are tested in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. Science is assessed in grades 4 and 6 only (grade 8 science testing is suspended for 2024-25). Social studies testing has been suspended for 2024-25. All tests are administered online and measure student performance on South Carolina College- and Career-Ready Standards. Results are reported in four performance levels: Exceeds Expectations, Meets Expectations, Approaches Expectations, and Does Not Meet Expectations. SC READY results are used to calculate school Report Card Absolute Ratings, Growth Ratings, and federal accountability status.

South Carolina offers several school choice options: (1) Charter Schools - 81 public charter schools operating statewide, authorized by the SC Public Charter School District, Charter Institute at Erskine, Limestone Charter Association, or local districts; (2) Private Schools - 433 private schools serving 72,912 students (6.8% of all students); (3) Homeschooling - 8% of K-12 students are homeschooled (2023-24), with a 49% increase since 2017-18; (4) Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) - The $6,000 ESA program faced Supreme Court challenges in 2024. Currently, funds can be used for tutoring and educational services but NOT private school tuition per court ruling. All 10,000 scholarships for 2025-26 have been awarded; (5) Other options include open enrollment (in some districts), magnet schools, virtual schools, and career centers.

South Carolina has 56 colleges and universities, including 33 public institutions and 23 private institutions. Total enrollment for 2023-2024 is 252,885 students (222,405 undergraduate and 30,425 graduate students). The three largest universities are University of South Carolina (36,579 students in Columbia), Clemson University (28,747 students), and College of Charleston (11,729 students). The state also operates the SC Technical College System with 16 technical colleges educating 147,000+ South Carolinians annually through credit programs (108,313 students) and continuing education (39,653 students). Technical colleges offer 74 degrees, 19 diplomas, and over 900 certificate programs with a 93% job placement rate. Enrollment at four-year universities remained stable at approximately 158,000 students in 2024, with record-breaking applications at major research universities.

South Carolina provides special education services to 13.8% of students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), slightly above the national average of 13%. Children ages 3-21 qualify for services. The Office of Special Education Services (OSES) provides support including individualized instruction, related services (speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy), assistive technology, specialized program models, early childhood services (ages 3-5), and transition services. The state operates the SC School for the Deaf and the Blind for specialized services. SC-CREATE program offers tuition-free coursework for full-time public school employees to complete special education certifications, including BCBA credentials and Speech-Language Pathologist certifications. Resources include the Research to Practice Institute for professional development and Family Connection SC for family support. State Regulation 43-220 mandates services for all eligible students.

Yes, South Carolina continues to experience teacher shortages, though the situation has improved slightly. For 2024-25, nearly 70 subject areas and more than 1,400 schools were identified as critical shortage areas. Teacher vacancies decreased from 1,600+ open positions in 2023 to 1,043 vacancies in 2024, marking the first decrease since 2019, though still above pre-pandemic levels. High-need subject areas include mathematics (all levels), science (all levels), special education, world languages, career and technical education, English as a Second Language, gifted and talented education, and school counseling. The state addresses shortages through the South Carolina Teacher Loan Program with loan forgiveness for critical need areas, increased minimum pay ($47,500 for first-year teachers), professional development programs, mentorship for new teachers, and initiatives to bring retired teachers back to the classroom.

Last updated on November 24, 2025