Public schools in Hilton Head Island, SC
5 open public schools with an address in Hilton Head Island, operated by 1 education agency. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
5
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
3,542
5 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
9.9:1
South Carolina median 13.6:1
Charter schools
0
5 magnet · 0 virtual
An overview of Hilton Head Island public schools
The federal directory lists 5 public schools in Hilton Head Island, SC: 3 elementary, 1 middle, 1 high. The 5 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 3,542 students, an average of 708 per school. The largest campus is Hilton Head Island High (1,265 students), and the largest elementary school is Hilton Head Island Elementary (702).
Every listed school belongs to Beaufort 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 9.9:1, 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 5 magnet schools. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
School districts and agencies serving Hilton Head Island
Elementary schools in Hilton Head Island
3| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island Early Childhood Center Beaufort 01 · Magnet | PK–KG | 301 | 9.8:1 | |
| Hilton Head Island Elementary Beaufort 01 · Magnet | 01–05 | 702 | 9.1:1 | |
| Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts Beaufort 01 · Magnet | PK–05 | 496 | 9.9:1 |
Middle schools in Hilton Head Island
1| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island Middle Beaufort 01 · Magnet | 06–08 | 778 | 11.3:1 |
High schools in Hilton Head Island
1| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island High Beaufort 01 · Magnet | 09–12 | 1,265 | 13.2:1 |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White33.1%
- Hispanic49.7%
- Black12.2%
- Asian0.9%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.1%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial4%
Enrollment-weighted across 5 Hilton Head Island schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (3,542 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in Hilton Head Island
How many public schools are in Hilton Head Island, SC?
The current NCES directory lists 5 open public schools with a location address in Hilton Head Island: 3 elementary, 1 middle, 1 high. Together they reported 3,542 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve Hilton Head Island?
All listed public schools with an address in Hilton Head Island belong to Beaufort 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 Hilton Head Island?
Hilton Head Island High reported the largest high-school enrollment in Hilton Head Island, with 1,265 students in 2024–25 (grades 09–12). Size is a description of the campus, not a quality measure.
Are there charter schools in Hilton Head Island?
No school with an address in Hilton Head Island is identified as a charter school in the current NCES directory. Families may still have charter or virtual options elsewhere in South Carolina.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in Hilton Head Island schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across Hilton Head Island public schools is 9.9:1, 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 Hilton Head Island 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