* Class and Social Structure: South Carolina's society was deeply stratified. The wealthy planter class, who dominated the political and economic landscape, largely relied on private tutors or sent their children to exclusive academies. These academies catered to their specific needs and reinforced their social standing. Public schools, in the modern sense, were seen as something for the lower classes – a perception which the wealthy actively fostered.
* Limited Public Funding and Infrastructure: There was little political will to establish and fund a widespread public school system. The state government's resources were primarily directed towards other areas, such as maintaining the plantation system and infrastructure that supported it. Taxes were often low, and those who existed primarily benefitted the wealthy landowners.
* Religious and Philosophical Differences: Different religious denominations and philosophical viewpoints often led to the establishment of private schools reflecting their specific beliefs and values. Establishing a publicly-funded system would have been difficult given the strong sectarian divides in the state. Private academies could cater to these various needs.
* Decentralized Governance: South Carolina had a relatively decentralized governance structure. The establishment and maintenance of schools were largely left to local communities, which often lacked the resources or the inclination to establish and support public schools for all children. Private enterprise filled this void more easily.
* Emphasis on Classical Education: The education offered in the private academies usually followed a classical curriculum focused on Latin, Greek, and the humanities, designed to prepare wealthy young men for leadership roles. Public schools at the time, even if they existed, were unlikely to offer such an education.
* Slaveholding Society: The institution of slavery significantly impacted the educational landscape. The education of enslaved people was strictly forbidden, and the education of white children was largely focused on maintaining the social hierarchy that upheld slavery. A public education system would have presented challenges to this established order.
In short, the dominance of private academies in pre-Civil War South Carolina reflects the state's deeply ingrained social hierarchy, limited public resources, and a lack of political will to create a universal system of public education accessible to all.