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Education

Up Your Knowledge

Wordsmiths, mathletes and science whizzes build strong foundations in Upstate South Carolina’s highly rated public school systems and sharpen their skills across the region’s 26 colleges and universities.

The Upstate’s K-12 options include 15 of the top 25 best K-12 school districts in South Carolina, in addition to private and special purpose schools like East Link Academy, a public charter Chinese immersion school, or Lakes & Bridges Charter School, which serves students with dyslexia. Our K-12 students gain exposure to real-world skills through STEM programs like Scholar Technician® and programs that enable students to explore focused subject areas like an arts-based curriculum, such as the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, a public residential high school for emerging artists.

Our higher-ed scene includes the prestigious Clemson University, respected liberal arts schools such as Furman University, Wofford College and Anderson University, as well as renowned institutions for medical studies, such as the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville.

Whether you’re looking to earn a new degree or select the best school for your child, Upstate South Carolina has education options for dreamers and doers. Read on for more, or visit our Resources for Job Seekers for information about skills training and continuing education.

Facts + Figures

#1

BEST PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN SOUTH CAROLINA 2021

Niche.com

#1, #5 + #8

BEST PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN SOUTH CAROLINA 2021

Niche.com

16

BLUE RIBBON PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2021

Public School Review

#15

BEST REGIONAL COLLEGE, SOUTH | USC UPSTATE 2022

U.S. News & World Report

#29

BEST PUBLIC UNIVERSITY | CLEMSON 2021

U.S. News & World Report

#43

BEST COLLEGES FOR VETERANS | CLEMSON UNIVERSITY 2021

99%

MATCH RATE | UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, GREENVILLE 2021

  • K-12 Public
  • Private + Special Purpose
  • Colleges + Universities

Top-Notch Public Education for Your Family

For families considering a move, selecting the right school for your children is no easy task. But in Upstate South Carolina, we’re proud to say that it’s hard to go wrong.

Upstate SC has 15 of the top 25 best K-12 school districts in South Carolina. With 76,000 students, the Greenville County School District is the largest in the state and 44th largest in the nation. It’s home to the first elementary school in South Carolina with a school-wide engineering curriculum, A.J. Whittenberg, which partners with major companies like Fluor and Michelin to give children hands-on learning opportunities.

Upstate SC is also home to the top two public elementary schools in the state – Green Charter School and Spartanburg Preparatory School. Browse our public school districts below.

K-12 Public School Districts

Excellent Private + Special Purpose Schools

Colleges + Universities

Upstate South Carolina’s 26 colleges and universities are known for their research-driven focus on industry innovation, which means more practical applications and pathways to great jobs. Among our top higher education assets are:

Want to move up in your career?

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