Serving 675 students in grades 9-12, W.j. Keenan High School ranks in the top 30% of all schools in South Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 45% (which is higher than the South Carolina state average of 43%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 75-79% (which is higher than the South Carolina state average of 52%).
The student-teacher ratio of 13:1 is lower than the South Carolina state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the South Carolina state average of 54% (majority Black).
Quick Facts (2026-27)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 675 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
- Minority Enrollment: 98%
- Graduation Rate: 75-79% (Btm 50% in SC)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 30%
- Math Proficiency: 45% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 75-79% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 20-24% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: W.J. Keenan High serves the northwest part of Columbia, SC, covering an area of approximately 13.7 square miles. Families can typically expect a drive of 5 to 10 minutes to the school, with the furthest edge of the zone located about 5 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SC Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
W.j. Keenan High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in South Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
School Overview
W.j. Keenan High School's student population of 675 students has declined by 6% over five school years.
The teacher population of 53 teachers has declined by 8% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
675 students
Total Classroom Teachers
53 teachers
Year Founded
1985
School Calendar
School Motto
High Expectations, High Standards, High Performance.
School Rankings
W.j. Keenan High School ranks within the top 30% of all 1,118 schools in South Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of W.j. Keenan High School is 0.19, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.67. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#332 out of 1118 schools
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
45%
43%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
75-79%
52%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-24%
50%
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
14:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
n/a
2%
Hispanic
5%
15%
Black
90%
31%
White
2%
46%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
3%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
75-79%
84%
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)46.1%
25.2%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
99%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (14-15)
4%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Sports
School Mascot
Raider
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SC Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is W.j. Keenan High School's ranking?
W.j. Keenan High School is ranked #332 out of 1,118 schools, which ranks it among the top 30% of public schools in South Carolina.
What schools are W.j. Keenan High School often compared to?
W.j. Keenan High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Eau Claire High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
45% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 43% SC state average), while 75-79% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 52% SC state average).
What is the graduation rate of W.j. Keenan High School?
The graduation rate of W.j. Keenan High School is 75-79%, which is lower than the South Carolina state average of 84%.
How many students attend W.j. Keenan High School?
675 students attend W.j. Keenan High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
90% of W.j. Keenan High School students are Black, 5% of students are Hispanic, 3% of students are Two or more races, and 2% of students are White.
What is the student-teacher ratio of W.j. Keenan High School?
W.j. Keenan High School has a student ration of 13:1, which is lower than the South Carolina state average of 14:1.
What grades does W.j. Keenan High School offer ?
W.j. Keenan High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is W.j. Keenan High School part of?
W.j. Keenan High School is part of Richland 01 School District.
School Reviews
Review W.j. Keenan High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
What Makes an Elementary School Feel Supportive?
Discover what makes one elementary school more supportive than another, from teacher relationships and family communication to classroom attention, belonging, student services, leadership, routines, and responsive academic support systems.
Second School Tour: Questions Parents Forget to Ask
A second school tour can reveal what families miss initially. Learn which questions to ask about teachers, support, schedules, safety, communication, programs, and everyday student life before enrolling.
Attendance Policies Are Changing: Parent Guide 2026
Attendance policies are changing across public schools. Learn what parents should examine about absences, tardiness, interventions, flexibility, communication, and student support before choosing a school for their child today.
