By admin 
For Midlands parents weighing advanced academic options for their middle and high schoolers, one tuition-free, in-state pathway just moved further up the national radar.
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The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics in Hartsville was named the top public high school in the Palmetto State — and the third-best public high school in America — in Niche.com’s 2027 Best High Schools in America ranking, according to The State. The residential STEM school climbed one spot from No. 4 in last year’s survey.
Niche, a data analytics company, annually ranks and analyzes nearly 10,000 educational institutions and districts nationwide. Its 2027 methodology weighed each school’s academic grades, culture and diversity, parent/student experience, teacher experience, clubs and activities, resources and facilities and sports. The firm pulled student-life data from the U.S. Department of Education along with test scores from state education departments, college data and ratings collected from millions of Niche users.
GSSM received an overall grade of A+, as well as A+ marks for mathematics, diversity, teachers, college prep, clubs and activities, administration and resources and facilities.
What parents should know about GSSM
Located in Hartsville, GSSM enrolls 11th- and 12th-grade academically motivated students, according to the school. Since 1988, GSSM says it has provided a rigorous science, technology, engineering and math-focused curriculum that challenges talented students from across South Carolina.
That means families eyeing GSSM as a destination are preparing throughout a student’s middle school and early high school years — building the academic record, coursework and extracurricular profile that will support an application for junior year admission.
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The president’s take
“To be ranked number three in the country and number one right here at home is a testament to our curious and driven student body and our dedicated faculty and staff,” said Danny Dorsel, the GSSM president, in a press release. “While we don’t chase the rankings, seeing our community’s efforts recognized nationally is a proud moment for all of South Carolina.
Dorsel also credited the broader pipeline of South Carolina educators who prepare students for the school’s demands.
“We share it with the outstanding K-12 schools and educators across our state who prepare students to thrive at GSSM, and with our state leaders and legislators whose belief in our mission and continued support make these opportunities possible for students across South Carolina,” Dorsel said.
For Midlands families, the ranking reinforces GSSM’s position as a serious contender against elite private and magnet options — without the private-school price tag. The school’s STEM focus, residential model in Hartsville and A+ marks across teaching, college prep and facilities make it a pathway worth researching early.
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