For the 2026 school year, there are 7 private elementary schools serving 1,948 students in Dorchester County, SC.
The top-ranked private elementary schools in Dorchester County, SC include Pinewood Preparatory School, Summerville Catholic School, and Faith Christian School & Daycare.
The average acceptance rate is 88%, which is lower than the South Carolina private elementary school average acceptance rate of 90%.
86% of private elementary schools in Dorchester County, SC are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Assembly of God).
Top-Ranked Dorchester County 草榴社区 Elementary Schools (2026)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Dorchester Academy
(Christian)
234 Academy Rd
Saint George, SC 29477
(843) 563-9511
Saint George, SC 29477
(843) 563-9511
Gr: PK-12 | 374 students
Faith Christian School & Daycare
(Assembly of God)
337 Farmington Rd
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 873-8464
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 873-8464
Gr: PK-12 | 311 students Tuition listed
1114 Orangeburg Road
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 873-1643
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 873-1643
Gr: PK-12 | 661 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 14 | Extracurrculars: 27 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
226 Black Oak Blvd
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 873-9310
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 873-9310
Gr: PK-8 | 264 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 6 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
New Alpha Christian School
(Christian)
100 Waring St
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 225-0203
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 225-0203
Gr: PK-7 | 47 students Tuition listed
2168 Ridge Church Rd
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 873-9856
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 873-9856
Gr: PK-12 | 156 students
111 Waring Street
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 885-1081
Summerville, SC 29483
(843) 885-1081
Gr: K-8 | 135 students Avg. class size: 15 students Extracurrculars: 8 Tuition listed
Dorchester County 草榴社区 Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Charis Academy (Closed 2025)
Special Education School
255 Stallsville Loop
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 934-7520
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 934-7520
Gr: 4-8 | 5 students
The Oaks Christian School (Closed 2022)
(Baptist)
505 Gahagan Rd
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 875-7667
Summerville, SC 29485
(843) 875-7667
Gr: PK-8 | 175 students
Overview
This County (Dorchester County)
This State (SC)
# Schools
7 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
1,948 Students
60,482 Students
% Average Students of Color
23%
18%
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
178 Teachers
5,910 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
10:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
38%
49%
Average Class Size
15 students
14 students
Average Number of AP Courses
17 courses
12 courses
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$7,834
$10,006
Average % on Financial Aid
33%
29%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$1,875
$3,674
Average Acceptance Rate
88%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.56
0.53
# American Indian Students
7 Students
183 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
35 Students
1,100 Students
% Asian Students
2%
2%
# Hispanic Students
86 Students
1,950 Students
% Hispanic Students
4%
3%
# Black Students
128 Students
3,347 Students
% Black Students
7%
6%
# White Students
1,180 Students
38,229 Students
% White Students
61%
64%
# Hawaiian Students
5 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
507 Students
14,610 Students
% of Others Students
26%
25%
All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars and Sports:
Average Number of Extracurriculars
13 extracurriculars
8 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
10 sports
8 sports
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked private elementary schools in Dorchester County, SC?
The top-ranked private elementary schools in Dorchester County, SC include Pinewood Preparatory School, Summerville Catholic School, and Faith Christian School & Daycare.
How many private elementary schools are located in Dorchester County?
7 private elementary schools are located in Dorchester County.
How diverse are private elementary schools in Dorchester County?
Dorchester County private elementary schools are approximately 23% minority students, which is higher than the South Carolina private school average of 18%.
What percentage of private elementary schools are religiously affiliated in Dorchester County?
86% of private elementary schools in Dorchester County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Assembly of God).
Recent Articles
Ask Current Parents What Admissions Won't Answer
Learn how to ask current private school parents revealing questions about culture, academics, communication, costs, discipline, and community life before deciding whether a school truly fits your family well.
When School Anxiety Is Really a School Fit Problem
Learn when school anxiety may signal a poor school fit, how parents can identify academic or social mismatches, and when changing private schools deserves serious consideration for families today.
Will My Child Find Their People? Evaluating School Culture
Learn how to evaluate private school culture, student belonging, friendships, teacher relationships, social dynamics, and authentic community fit so your child can find the right place to thrive and connect.
