For the 2026 school year, there are 12 public middle schools serving 6,608 students in Beaufort County, SC.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Beaufort County, SC are Riverview Charter School, River Ridge Academy and Bridges Preparatory School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Beaufort County, SC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the South Carolina public middle school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in Beaufort County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of South Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the South Carolina public middle school average of 52% (majority Black).
Best Public Middle Schools in Beaufort County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Riverview Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
81 Savannah Highway
Beaufort, SC 29906
(843) 379-0133
Beaufort, SC 29906
(843) 379-0133
Gr: K-8 | 694 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #22.
River Ridge Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3050 River Ridge Drive
Bluffton, SC 29910
(843) 836-4600
Bluffton, SC 29910
(843) 836-4600
Gr: PK-8 | 1,134 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #33.
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: #44.
H. E. Mccracken Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
250 H. E. Mccracken Circle
Bluffton, SC 29910
(843) 706-8700
Bluffton, SC 29910
(843) 706-8700
Gr: 6-8 | 846 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #55.
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%
Rank: #66.
Bluffton Middle School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
30 New Mustang Road
Bluffton, SC 29910
(843) 707-0700
Bluffton, SC 29910
(843) 707-0700
Gr: 6-8 | 921 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #77.
Hilton Head Island Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
55 Wilborn Road
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 689-4500
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 689-4500
Gr: 6-8 | 778 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #88.
Beaufort Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2501 Mossy Oaks Boulevard
Beaufort, SC 29902
(843) 322-5700
Beaufort, SC 29902
(843) 322-5700
Gr: 6-8 | 348 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #99.
Lady's Island Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
30 Cougar Drive
Beaufort, SC 29907
(843) 322-3100
Beaufort, SC 29907
(843) 322-3100
Gr: 6-8 | 338 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #1010.
Robert Smalls Leadership Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
43 W. K. Alston Drive
Beaufort, SC 29906
(843) 322-2500
Beaufort, SC 29906
(843) 322-2500
Gr: PK-8 | 785 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #1111.
Whale Branch Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2009 Trask Parkway
Seabrook, SC 29940
(843) 466-3000
Seabrook, SC 29940
(843) 466-3000
Gr: 6-8 | 243 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: n/an/a
Sea Islands Heritage Academy
Charter School
10-b Holly Hall Road
Beaufort, SC 29907
(843) 489-8433
Beaufort, SC 29907
(843) 489-8433
Gr: 6-7 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Beaufort County, SC?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Beaufort County, SC include Riverview Charter School, River Ridge Academy and Bridges Preparatory School.
How many public middle schools are located in Beaufort County?
10 public middle schools are located in Beaufort County.
What is the racial composition of students in Beaufort County?
Beaufort County public middle schools minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the South Carolina public middle schools average of 52% (majority Black).
Which public middle schools in Beaufort County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Beaufort County include: H. E. Mccracken Middle School vs. Bluffton Middle School, Bridges Preparatory School vs. Riverview Charter School, Riverview Charter School vs. Bridges Preparatory School
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