For the 2026 school year, there are 8 public high schools serving 7,221 students in Beaufort County, SC.
The top-ranked public high schools in Beaufort County, SC are Bluffton High School, May River High School and Whale Branch Early College High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Beaufort County, SC public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 62% (versus the South Carolina public high school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 81% (versus the 76% statewide average). High schools in Beaufort County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of South Carolina public high schools.
Beaufort County, SC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 87%, which is more than the South Carolina average of 84%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Bridges Preparatory School, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in South Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the South Carolina public high school average of 52% (majority Black).
Best Public High Schools in Beaufort County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Bluffton High School
(Math: 84% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
12 H. E. Mccracken Circle
Bluffton, SC 29910
(843) 706-8800
Bluffton, SC 29910
(843) 706-8800
Gr: 9-12 | 1,375 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #22.
May River High School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
601 New Riverside Road
Bluffton, SC 29910
(843) 836-4900
Bluffton, SC 29910
(843) 836-4900
Gr: 9-12 | 1,731 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #33.
Whale Branch Early College High School
Magnet School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
169 Detour Road
Seabrook, SC 29940
(843) 466-2700
Seabrook, SC 29940
(843) 466-2700
Gr: 9-12 | 390 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #44.
Hilton Head Island High School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
70 Wilborn Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 689-4800
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 689-4800
Gr: 9-12 | 1,265 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #55.
Beaufort High School
Magnet School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
84 Sea Island Parkway
Beaufort, SC 29907
(843) 322-2000
Beaufort, SC 29907
(843) 322-2000
Gr: 9-12 | 1,104 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #66.
Bridges Preparatory School
Charter School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
555 Robert Smalls Parkway
Beaufort, SC 29906
(843) 982-7737
Beaufort, SC 29906
(843) 982-7737
Gr: K-12 | 1,472 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #77.
Battery Creek High School
Magnet School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1 Blue Dolphin Drive
Beaufort, SC 29906
(843) 322-5500
Beaufort, SC 29906
(843) 322-5500
Gr: 9-12 | 809 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #88.
Lowcountry Montessori School
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
749 Broad River Drive
Beaufort, SC 29906
(843) 322-0577
Beaufort, SC 29906
(843) 322-0577
Gr: PK-12 | 408 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public high schools in Beaufort County, SC?
The top-ranked public high schools in Beaufort County, SC include Bluffton High School, May River High School and Whale Branch Early College High School.
How many public high schools are located in Beaufort County?
7 public high schools are located in Beaufort County.
What is the racial composition of students in Beaufort County?
Beaufort County public high schools minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the South Carolina public high schools average of 52% (majority Black).
Which public high schools in Beaufort County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Beaufort County include: May River High School vs. Bluffton High School, Bluffton High School vs. May River High School, Hilton Head Island High School vs. Bluffton High School
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