Best South Carolina Religiously Affiliated Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 320 religiously affiliated private schools serving 55,228 students in South Carolina (74% of all schools).

The average tuition cost is $8,247, which is lower than the South Carolina private school average tuition cost of $10,691.

The most common religiously affiliated schools are Christian (28% of schools), Baptist (27% of schools) and Catholic (10% of schools).

Walnut Grove Christian School Photo - Our Class of 2020, with 12 graduates, earned more than $2.5 Million in academic & athletic scholarships from the following colleges and universities: University of Florida, College of Charleston Honors College, NC State, Charleston Southern, Anderson University, University of South Carolina, USC-Lancaster, Gardner Webb, Erskine, Wingate, Auburn University, University of Alabama, & High Point University

Carolina Christian Academy Photo - FIELD DAY IS FUN

St. John Catholic School Photo - Our school empowers children in grades K4-8 by valuing learning, diversity and inclusion. We promote the physical, emotional, social, academic, and spiritual development of each student through Catholic Christian values and cross-curricular instruction through STREAM education.

New Covenant School Photo - New Covenant School Cavaliers

Cardinal Newman School Photo - CARDINAL NEWMAN SCHOOL, in order to address a rapidly changing world where learning expectations are higher than ever and faith-filled values are the foundation of a stronger tomorrow, seeks to exceed the traditional definition of educational success. Our mission is to discover the young faith-filled leader that God created inside every child through our commitment to REDEFINING EXCELLENCE in everything we do. We offer a holistic learning experience built on Catholic values, and we deliver it within the new campus that is your school and your home. Redefining Excellence In the Classroom - On the Field - In the Community For Their Futures

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.

St. Marys Catholic School Photo - St. Mary's Elementary School

Northside Christian Academy Photo - Lexington campus opened in 2011 and is home to grades k4 through 12th.

First Presbyterian Academy Downtown Photo - Our teachers are dedicated to a loving, Christ-centered environment.

Abiding Peace Academy Photo - New, clean facilities.

St. Andrew Catholic School Photo - May Crowning with 2nd and 8th Grade

Westminster Presbyterian Preschool Photo

Top-Ranked South Carolina Private Schools by Religious Affiliation (2026)

Religious Affiliation

# Schools

# Students

% Minority

African Methodist Episcopal

297

100%

Assembly of God

320

37%

Baptist

13,216

15%

Catholic

8,104

22%

Christian

17,869

18%

Church of Christ

100%

Church of God

125

23%

Church of God in Christ

100%

Church of the Nazarene

430

13%

Episcopal

5,029

17%

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (formerly AELC, ALC, or LCA)

220

Islamic

202

48%

Jewish

233

22%

Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

234

12%

Mennonite

349

Methodist

1,718

15%

Other

2,341

Other Lutheran

Pentecostal

119

62%

Presbyterian

3,971

13%

Seventh Day Adventist

261

81%

Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

119

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