Nativity School Photo - First day of school, faculty and staff.

Best Charleston Private Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 19 private elementary schools serving 4,676 students in Charleston, SC.
The top-ranked private elementary schools in Charleston, SC include First Baptist School, Charleston Day School, and Blessed Sacrament School.
The average tuition cost is $18,701, which is higher than the South Carolina private elementary school average tuition cost of $10,219.
68% of private elementary schools in Charleston, SC are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Catholic).

Top-Ranked Charleston Private Elementary Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Ashley Hall
Ashley Hall Photo
All-girls
(8)
172 Rutledge Avenue
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 722-4088
Gr: PK-12 | 728 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 12 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Blessed Sacrament School
(Catholic)
(3)
7 Saint Teresa Dr
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 766-2128
Gr: PK-8 | 285 students
Charleston Day School
(5)
15 Archdale St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 377-0315
Gr: K-8 | 258 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 5 Tuition listed
The Cooper School
(1)
13 Oakdale Pl
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 573-1033
Gr: K-8 | 155 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 5 Tuition listed
First Baptist School
(Baptist)
(2)
48 Meeting St
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 722-6646
Gr: PK-12 | 497 students Tuition listed
James Island Christian School
James Island Christian School Photo - Welcome to JICS!
(Christian)
(5)
15 Crosscreek Drive
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 795-1762
Gr: PK-10 | 282 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 10 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition listed
Mason Preparatory School
Mason Preparatory School Photo
(14)
56 Halsey Blvd
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 723-0664
Gr: PK-8 | 306 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 7 Tuition listed
Porter-Gaud School
Porter-Gaud School Photo - From the earliest grades to the Upper School, Porter-Gaud students learn from faculty members whose love of their subject areas is infectious.
(Episcopal)
300 Albemarle Rd
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 556-3620
Gr: 1-12 | 1,059 student Sports: 16 | Extracurrculars: 10 Tuition listed
Addlestone Hebrew Academy
(Jewish)
1639 Raoul Wallenberg Blvd
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 571-1105
Gr: K-8 | 59 students Tuition listed
Adventist Christian Academy Of Charleston
(Seventh Day Adventist)
2518 Savannah Hwy
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 571-7519
Gr: 1-8 | 25 students Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition listed
Charles Towne Montessori School
Charles Towne Montessori School Photo
Montessori School
(2)
56 Leinbach Dr
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 571-1140
Gr: NS-6 | 125 students Avg. class size: 15 students Extracurrculars: 7 Tuition listed
The Charleston Catholic School
The Charleston Catholic School Photo
(Catholic)
888-A King St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 577-4495
Gr: PK-8 | 180 students Avg. class size: 17 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
Charleston Christian School
Charleston Christian School Photo - Our teachers genuinely care for and support our students, fostering strong, nurturing relationships that help each child thrive.
(Christian)
(3)
1101 Savannah Hwy, Charleston
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 556-4480
Gr: K-8 | 158 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 7 Tuition listed
1179 Remount Road
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 952-3839
Gr: K-4 | 21 students Avg. class size: 5 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Harvest Time International Academy
(Christian)
227 Huger St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 647-5911
Gr: 6-12 | 7 students Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition listed
642 Meeting St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 735-7102
Gr: PK-5 | 245 students
Nativity School
Nativity School Photo - First day of school, faculty and staff.
(Catholic)
(1)
1125 Pittsford Cir
Charleston, SC 29412
(843) 795-3975
Gr: PK-8 | 111 students Avg. class size: 11 students Sports: 3 Tuition listed
Trinity Montessori School
Montessori School (Christian)
(1)
1293 Orange Grove Rd
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 556-6686
Gr: PK-3 | 124 students Avg. class size: 15 students Extracurrculars: 8 Tuition listed
8717 Old University Blvd, Bldg E
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 212-4289
Gr: K-6 | 51 students
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina Private Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
1941 Bees Ferry Rd
Charleston, SC 29414
(843) 225-2892
Gr: NS-11 | 32 students Avg. class size: 7 students
4870 Piedmont Avenue
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 554-0535
Gr: 5-8
Palmetto Academy (Closed 2010)
Special Education School (Christian)
913 Wappoo Rd
Charleston, SC 29407
Gr: 9-12 | 14 students
Remount Baptist Daycare (Closed 2025)
Daycare / Preschool (Baptist)
1520 Remount Road
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 747-7403
Gr: PK-K | 108 students

Overview

This Town (Charleston)
This State (SC)
# Schools
19 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
4,676 Students
60,759 Students
% Average Students of Color
17%
17%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
512 Teachers
5,907 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
9:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
59%
50%
Average Class Size
14 students
14 students
Average Number of AP Courses
18 courses
12 courses

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$18,701
$10,219
Average % on Financial Aid
44%
29%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$7,833
$3,674
Average Acceptance Rate
99%
88%
Average Endowment Size
$14 million
$26.07 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.52
0.53
# American Indian Students
n/a
183 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
88 Students
1,101 Students
% Asian Students
2%
2%
# Hispanic Students
112 Students
1,951 Students
% Hispanic Students
2%
3%
# Black Students
347 Students
3,348 Students
% Black Students
7%
6%
# White Students
3,041 Students
38,270 Students
% White Students
65%
64%
# Hawaiian Students
2 Students
34 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
1,101 Students
14,888 Students
% of Others Students
24%
25%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
6 extracurriculars
8 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
7 sports
8 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private elementary schools in Charleston, SC?
The top-ranked private elementary schools in Charleston, SC include First Baptist School, Charleston Day School, and Blessed Sacrament School.
How many private elementary schools are located in Charleston?
19 private elementary schools are located in Charleston.
How much do private elementary schools cost in Charleston?
The average tuition cost is $18,701, which is higher than the South Carolina private school average tuition cost of $10,219.
How diverse are private elementary schools in Charleston?
Charleston private elementary schools are approximately 17% minority students, which is same as the South Carolina private school average of 17%.
What percentage of private elementary schools are religiously affiliated in Charleston?
68% of private elementary schools in Charleston are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Catholic).
Which private elementary schools in Charleston are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private elementary schools in Charleston include: Nativity School vs. Blessed Sacrament School

Recent Articles

First Semester Community College Survival Tips 2026
First Semester Community College Survival Tips 2026
Essential 2026-updated expert tips to thrive in your first community college semester, from scheduling to finances and support resources.
What to Expect Your First Semester of Community College (2026 Guide)
What to Expect Your First Semester of Community College (2026 Guide)
A 2026 parent and student guide to your first semester at community college—tuition, support services, academics, social life, and success strategies.
How Private Schools Are Preparing Students for an AI-Driven Job Market
How Private Schools Are Preparing Students for an AI-Driven Job Market
Explore how private schools prepare students for 2026’s AI-driven job market with curriculum innovations, skills training, and future-focused pathways.