Private Schools in Charleston, SC
Compare local private schools by grade level, tuition, and affiliation — then reach out to the ones that feel right for your child.
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Explore schools by type
Every school has a mission. Browse by the kind of education that fits your family.
Faith-Based
Schools rooted in a religious tradition — Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Islamic, and more — where academics and faith formation go hand in hand.
Montessori
Child-led classrooms built on the Montessori method: mixed-age communities, hands-on materials, and independence nurtured from the earliest years.
College Preparatory
Academically rigorous programs designed around university admission — advanced coursework, college counseling, and a track record of placements.
Special Needs
Schools built for students who learn differently — specialized instruction, therapeutic support, and class sizes that let every child be understood.
All-Girls
Single-gender schools for girls — classrooms and leadership opportunities designed around how girls learn and grow best.
Independent
Self-governing schools free to shape their own mission and curriculum — accountable to their families and boards rather than a larger system.
Your local guide
Find the right fit in Charleston
Charleston’s private school landscape reflects the shape of the region itself: historic downtown campuses, West Ashley and North Charleston options, Johns Island programs, and Daniel Island high school choices all serve families whose daily commutes can look very different depending on where they live. Parents will find a mix of independent college-preparatory schools, faith-based schools, and single-gender education, with grade spans ranging from preschool and kindergarten through high school. For families who want continuity, schools such as Charleston Collegiate and Cathedral Academy include early childhood through upper school grades, while others focus on a particular stage, such as Bishop England High School for grades 9–12.
About this guide
Local Notes
When comparing Charleston private schools, start with fit before reputation: grade span, location, faith affiliation, class environment, and whether the school’s program matches your child’s needs now and over the next few years. A downtown family considering Ashley Hall or Mason Preparatory School may weigh campus access and commute differently than a Johns Island family looking at Charleston Collegiate, a West Ashley family considering Porter-Gaud, or a Daniel Island family exploring Bishop England High School. Faith-based options also vary by tradition, so families should ask how religious instruction, chapel or worship expectations, and community life are incorporated into the school week.
Admissions processes are school-specific, but Charleston families should expect to contact each school directly for current tuition, application steps, tour availability, testing or assessment requirements, and openings by grade. Because some schools begin at pre-k or kindergarten while others enter at middle or high school, it is wise to ask about common entry points, sibling policies, and whether transfer applications are considered after the main admissions season.
Frequently asked questions
- What types of private schools are available in Charleston, SC?
- Charleston families can find college-preparatory independent schools, faith-based schools, and single-gender options, along with schools serving different grade ranges from pre-k and kindergarten through grade 12. Examples include Ashley Hall in downtown Charleston for all-girls education, Porter-Gaud in West Ashley, Charleston Collegiate on Johns Island, and several faith-based schools across Charleston, North Charleston, and Daniel Island.
- Are there private schools in Charleston that serve preschool through high school?
- Yes. Some Charleston-area private schools include early childhood grades and continue through high school, which can appeal to families looking for long-term continuity. Charleston Collegiate and Cathedral Academy are examples of schools with programs spanning from pre-k or kindergarten into upper school grades. Families should confirm exact grade availability directly with each school.
- Where are Charleston private schools located?
- Private schools are spread across the Charleston area rather than concentrated in one neighborhood. Families may consider downtown Charleston campuses such as Ashley Hall and Mason Preparatory School, West Ashley options such as Porter-Gaud and Blessed Sacrament School, North Charleston options such as Cathedral Academy, Johns Island schools such as Charleston Collegiate, and Daniel Island choices such as Bishop England High School.
- Are there faith-based private schools in Charleston?
- Yes. Charleston has faith-based private school options serving a range of grade levels. Addlestone Hebrew Academy is a Jewish school serving early and middle grades, while Bishop England High School, Blessed Sacrament School, and Cathedral Academy are among the Christian or Catholic-affiliated options families may encounter. Parents should ask each school how faith formation, religious studies, and community expectations are built into student life.
- Is there an all-girls private school in Charleston?
- Ashley Hall is a well-known all-girls private school on a historic downtown Charleston campus, serving students from early grades through high school. Families considering single-gender education should ask about academic advising, extracurricular opportunities, and how the school supports transitions into and out of the program.
- How should Charleston families compare commute and location when choosing a private school?
- Commute can be a major part of the decision in the Charleston area because schools sit on the peninsula, in West Ashley, on Johns Island, in North Charleston, and on Daniel Island. Parents should map the school-day drive at realistic morning and afternoon times, ask about drop-off and pickup procedures, and consider after-school activities that could change the family’s daily route.
Ready to find the right school?
Browse private schools in Charleston and connect directly with admissions teams.