Emmanuel Christian School Photo - Some of our Upper School students posing during Spirit Week.

Best Darlington County Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 7 private schools serving 1,028 students in Darlington County, SC (there are 21 public schools, serving 9,487 public students). 10% of all K-12 students in Darlington County, SC are educated in private schools (compared to the SC state average of 8%).
The top-ranked private schools in Darlington County, SC include Kelleytown Baptist Kindergarten, Trinity Collegiate School, and Emmanuel Christian School.
The average acceptance rate is 97%, which is higher than the South Carolina private school average acceptance rate of 89%.
71% of private schools in Darlington County, SC are religiously affiliated (most commonly Baptist and Christian).

Top-Ranked Darlington County Private Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Emmanuel Christian School
Emmanuel Christian School Photo - Enroll Now for 23-24
(Baptist)
(1)
1001 N Marquis Hwy
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 332-0164
Gr: PK-12 | 288 students Avg. class size: 17 students Sports: 8 | Extracurrculars: 4 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Kelleytown Baptist Kindergarten
Daycare / Preschool (Baptist)
2609 Kelleytown Rd
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 332-8092
Gr: PK-K | 67 students
5001 Hoffmeyer Rd
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 395-9124
Gr: 6-12 | 403 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 16 | Extracurrculars: 17 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Christian Pathway: Starting Steps School
Daycare / Preschool (Christian)
101 Chapel Hill Rd
Lamar, SC 29069
(843) 326-5850
Gr: PK-1 | 23 students
First Baptist
Daycare / Preschool (Baptist)
104 E Home Ave
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 332-6571
Gr: PK-K | 53 students
Forest Hills Christian School
(Baptist)
317 Forest Hills Dr
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 332-7811
Gr: 8-12 | 6 students
Thomas Hart Academy
852 Flinns Rd
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 332-4991
Gr: PK-8 | 188 students Avg. class size: 11 students Sports: 5 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Darlington County, South Carolina

Darlington County Private Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
1660 N Governor Williams Hwy
Darlington, SC 29540
(843) 393-6000
Gr: PK-6 | 158 students

Overview

This County (Darlington County)
This State (SC)
# Schools
7 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
1,028 Students
72,835 Students
% Average Students of Color
15%
18%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
87 Teachers
6,577 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
28%
50%
Average Class Size
15 students
14 students
Average Number of AP Courses
21 courses
12 courses
Average SAT score
1124
(Out of 1600)
1173
Average ACT score
24
(Out of 36)
24

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$6,698
$10,517
Average % on Financial Aid
16%
29%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$500
$3,642
Average Acceptance Rate
97%
89%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.46
0.57
# American Indian Students
1 Student
198 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
26 Students
1,171 Students
% Asian Students
2%
2%
# Hispanic Students
16 Students
2,053 Students
% Hispanic Students
2%
3%
# Black Students
92 Students
3,584 Students
% Black Students
9%
5%
# White Students
744 Students
40,584 Students
% White Students
71%
56%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
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
162 Students
24,126 Students
% of Others Students
16%
34%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
11 extracurriculars
8 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
10 sports
8 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in Darlington County, SC?
The top-ranked private schools in Darlington County, SC include Kelleytown Baptist Kindergarten, Trinity Collegiate School, and Emmanuel Christian School.
How many private schools are located in Darlington County?
7 private schools are located in Darlington County.
How diverse are private schools in Darlington County?
Darlington County private schools are approximately 15% minority students, which is lower than the South Carolina private school average of 18%.
What percentage of students in Darlington County go to private school?
10% of all K-12 students in Darlington County are educated in private schools (compared to the SC state average of 8%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Darlington County?
71% of private schools in Darlington County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Baptist and Christian).
Which private schools in Darlington County are often viewed compared to one another?

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