Public schools in Chester, SC
7 open public schools with an address in Chester, operated by 1 education agency. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
7
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
2,493
7 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
12.2:1
South Carolina median 13.6:1
Charter schools
1
0 virtual
An overview of Chester public schools
The federal directory lists 7 public schools in Chester, SC: 4 elementary, 1 middle, 2 high. The 7 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 2,493 students, an average of 356 per school. The largest campus is Chester Senior High (699 students), and the largest elementary school is Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry (355).
Every listed school belongs to Chester 01. City names come from school mailing addresses, which often differ from district or municipal boundaries.
Across schools that reported staffing, the median student–teacher ratio is 12.2:1, lower than the statewide school median of 13.6:1. A ratio counts classroom-teacher FTE against total enrollment, so specialized programs and part-time staffing can move it; ask schools for actual class sizes by grade.
School choice options include 1 charter school. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
School districts and agencies serving Chester
Elementary schools in Chester
4| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy for Teaching and Learning Chester 01 · Charter | KG–08 | 329 | 11.8:1 | |
| Chester Park Elementary School for the Arts Chester 01 | PK–05 | 331 | 11.4:1 | |
| Chester Park Elementary School of Literacy and Technology Chester 01 | PK–05 | 300 | 13.6:1 | |
| Chester Park School Elementary of Inquiry Chester 01 | PK–05 | 355 | 12.2:1 |
Middle schools in Chester
1| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester Middle Chester 01 | 06–08 | 479 | 12.6:1 |
High schools in Chester
2| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester County Career Center Chester 01 · Career and Technical School | 09–12 | 0 | 0:1 | |
| Chester Senior High Chester 01 | 09–12 | 699 | 14:1 |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White30.5%
- Hispanic10.8%
- Black51.7%
- Asian0.2%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.1%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.1%
- Multiracial6.7%
Enrollment-weighted across 6 Chester schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (2,493 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in Chester
How many public schools are in Chester, SC?
The current NCES directory lists 7 open public schools with a location address in Chester: 4 elementary, 1 middle, 2 high. Together they reported 2,493 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve Chester?
All listed public schools with an address in Chester belong to Chester 01. Mailing cities do not always match district boundaries, so confirm the district for a specific home address.
What is the largest public high school in Chester?
Chester Senior High reported the largest high-school enrollment in Chester, with 699 students in 2024–25 (grades 09–12). Size is a description of the campus, not a quality measure.
Are there charter schools in Chester?
Yes. 1 of the 7 public schools in Chester are identified as charter schools in the NCES directory, including Academy for Teaching and Learning. Charter schools are public and tuition-free, but admission usually uses an application or lottery.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in Chester schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across Chester public schools is 12.2:1, lower than the South Carolina school median of 13.6:1. The ratio divides enrollment by classroom-teacher FTE; it is not an average class size.
Does living in Chester guarantee a seat at a specific school?
No. Assignment depends on the district's attendance boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules, which can split a city or cross city lines. Use the district profile and its official boundary or school-locator tool to confirm the assigned school for an exact address.
Nearby South Carolina cities
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data 2025–26 preliminary directory (schools, grades, addresses, charter status) and 2024–25 nonfiscal files (enrollment, teachers, race/ethnicity, meal eligibility); Civil Rights Data Collection 2021–22 (AP and computer science). Cities are grouped by school mailing address. Methodology · All South Carolina cities