Pinewood Preparatory School Top 11 · Most AP Courses (SC)

Summerville Catholic School Top 20 · Lowest Acceptance Rate (SC)

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Dorchester County Private Schools

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 11 private schools serving 2,382 students in Dorchester County, SC (there are 35 public schools, serving 30,418 public students). 7% of all K-12 students are educated in private schools (compared to the SC state average of 8%).

The average acceptance rate is 88%, which is lower than the South Carolina private school average acceptance rate of 89%.

73% of private schools in Dorchester County, SC are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Methodist).

Quick Facts (26-27)

# Private Schools: 11
# Students Served: 2,382
Average Class Size: 15 students
% Students of Color: 22%
View Dorchester County, SC School Trends

Quick Facts (26-27)

# Private Schools: 11
# Students Served: 2,382
Average Class Size: 15 students
% Students of Color: 22%
View Dorchester County, SC School Trends

[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Dorchester County, South Carolina

Dorchester County Private Schools (Closed)

Charis Academy

Gr: 4-8 | 5 students

Special Education School

255 Stallsville Loop

Summerville, SC 29485

(843) 934-7520

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The Oaks Christian School

Gr: PK-8 | 175 students

Baptist

505 Gahagan Rd

Summerville, SC 29485

(843) 875-7667

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Overview

Trends in Total Number of Private Schools

Year	Dorchester County Total Schools
2025	11
2024	12
2023	10
2022	11
2021	13
2020	14
2019	13
2018	13
2017	12
2016	11
2015	11

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The number of private schools in Dorchester County fell from 14 in 2020 to 11 in 2025.

# Students

2,382 Students

72,685 Students

View Data

Trends in the Average Number of Students Per Private School

Year	Dorchester County Average	South Carolina (SC) Average	National Average
2025	238	174	179
2024	225	170	172
2021	210	168	180
2020	212	160	171
2019	272	161	175
2018	272	159	172
2017	247	166	180
2016	247	162	178
2015	242	153	167

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The average number of students per private school in Dorchester County fell from 272 in 2018 to 238 in 2025.

% Average Students of Color

22%

19%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers

182 Teachers

6,625 Teachers

Average Student-Teacher Ratio

12:1

11:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Trends (2017-2021)

Year	Dorchester County Average	South Carolina (SC) Average	National Average
2021	12:1	11:1	11:1
2020	12:1	11:1	12:1
2019	11:1	11:1	12:1
2018	11:1	11:1	12:1
2017	12:1	11:1	12:1

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Average student-teacher ratio in Dorchester County was 12:1 in 2021, the same as South Carolina and 1 higher than the national ratio of 11:1.

% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree

38%

50%

Average Class Size

15 students

14 students

Average Number of AP Courses

17 courses

11 courses

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost

$8,049

$9,057

Average % on Financial Aid

33%

29%

Average Financial Aid Grant

$1,875

$3,592

Average Acceptance Rate

88%

89%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.60

0.57

View Data

Diversity Score Trends

Year	Dorchester County Average	South Carolina (SC) Average	National Average
2025	0.60	0.57	0.65
2024	0.59	0.57	0.65
2022	0.57	0.55	0.64
2021	0.57	0.55	0.64
2020	0.58	0.54	0.64
2019	0.51	0.53	0.63
2018	0.51	0.53	0.63
2017	0.52	0.51	0.61
2016	0.53	0.51	0.61
2015	0.55	0.52	0.61

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The average diversity score for private schools in Dorchester County rose from 0.55 in 2015 to 0.60 in 2025.

# American Indian Students

7 Students

198 Students

% American Indian Students

<1%

# Asian Students

35 Students

1,169 Students

% Asian Students

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Trends

Year	Dorchester County Average	South Carolina (SC) Average	National Average
2025	2%	2%	5%
2024	2%	2%	5%
2022	1%	2%	4%
2021	2%	2%	4%
2020	2%	2%	4%
2019	3%	2%	4%
2018	3%	2%	4%
2017	1%	2%	4%
2016	1%	2%	4%
2015	1%	2%	4%

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The Asian student share in Dorchester County was 2% in 2025, matching South Carolina but 3 points below the U.S. at 5%.

# Hispanic Students

86 Students

2,040 Students

% Hispanic Students

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Trends

Year	Dorchester County Average	South Carolina (SC) Average	National Average
2025	4%	3%	9%
2024	4%	3%	9%
2022	3%	2%	8%
2021	2%	2%	9%
2020	3%	2%	9%
2019	2%	2%	8%
2018	2%	2%	8%
2017	3%	1%	8%
2016	3%	1%	8%
2015	3%	1%	8%

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The share of Hispanic private school students in Dorchester County rose from 3% in 2015 to 4% in 2025.

# Black Students

129 Students

3,565 Students

% Black Students

View Data

Black Student Percentage Trends

Year	Dorchester County Average	South Carolina (SC) Average	National Average
2025	5%	5%	7%
2024	6%	5%	7%
2022	6%	5%	7%
2021	6%	5%	7%
2020	7%	6%	8%
2019	6%	6%	7%
2018	6%	6%	7%
2017	5%	5%	7%
2016	5%	5%	7%
2015	6%	6%	8%

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The share of private school students in Dorchester County identifying as Black fell from 6% in 2024 to 5% in 2025.

# White Students

1,209 Students

40,420 Students

% White Students

51%

56%

View Data

White Student Percentage Trends

Year	Dorchester County Average	South Carolina (SC) Average	National Average
2025	51%	57%	52%
2024	53%	57%	52%
2022	56%	59%	54%
2021	57%	60%	54%
2020	56%	61%	54%
2019	65%	63%	56%
2018	65%	63%	56%
2017	65%	64%	58%
2016	63%	64%	58%
2015	60%	64%	58%

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The share of private school students in Dorchester County who were White fell from 60% in 2015 to 51% in 2025.

# Hawaiian Students

5 Students

34 Students

% Hawaiian Students

<1%

# Others Students

911 Students

24,055 Students

% of Others Students

38%

34%

View Data

Other Races Student Percentage Trends

Year	Dorchester County Average	South Carolina (SC) Average	National Average
2025	38%	33%	26%
2024	35%	33%	26%
2022	34%	32%	25%
2021	33%	31%	25%
2020	32%	29%	24%
2019	24%	27%	24%
2018	24%	27%	23%
2017	26%	28%	22%
2016	28%	28%	22%
2015	30%	27%	21%

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Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

The share of private school students in Dorchester County identifying as other races rose from 30% in 2015 to 38% in 2025, above South Carolina’s 33%.

All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars

12 extracurriculars

8 extracurriculars

Average Number of Sports

10 sports

8 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked private schools in Dorchester County, SC?

The private schools in Dorchester County, SC include Dorchester Academy, Summerville Catholic School, and Pinewood Preparatory School.

How many private schools are located in Dorchester County?

11 private schools are located in Dorchester County.

How diverse are private schools in Dorchester County?

Dorchester County private schools are approximately 22% minority students, which is higher than the South Carolina private school average of 19%.

What percentage of students in Dorchester County go to private school?

7% of all K-12 students in Dorchester County are educated in private schools (compared to the SC state average of 8%).

What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Dorchester County?

73% of private schools in Dorchester County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Methodist).

Which private schools in Dorchester County are often viewed compared to one another?

Popular comparisons of private schools in Dorchester County include: St. Lukes Children's Center vs. Pinewood Preparatory School

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