Serving 418 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, H. B. Rhame Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in South Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 25% (which is lower than the South Carolina state average of 43%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 32% (which is lower than the South Carolina state average of 52%).
The student-teacher ratio of 14:1 is equal to the South Carolina state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 96% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the South Carolina state average of 54% (majority Black).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Grades: Prekindergarten-5
- Enrollment: 418 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Minority Enrollment: 96%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in SC
- Math Proficiency: 25% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 32% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 25-29% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: H. B. Rhame Elementary serves the northwest part of Columbia, SC, encompassing an area of approximately 6.1 square miles. Typically, it takes parents about 5-10 minutes to drive to the school from within the attendance zone, which extends up to 3.3 miles from the furthest edge.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SC Dept. of Education
School Overview
H. B. Rhame Elementary School's student population of 418 students has declined by 11% over five school years.
The teacher population of 30 teachers has declined by 14% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-5
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
418 students
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
Total Classroom Teachers
30 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
School Rankings
H. B. Rhame Elementary School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,118 schools in South Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of H. B. Rhame Elementary School is 0.24, 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
#911 out of 1118 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
25%
43%
Showing 2013–2023. View full 14-year historical data
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
32%
52%
Showing 2012–2022. View full 13-year historical data
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
25-29%
50%
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Showing 2016–2025. View full 39-year historical data
Hispanic
4%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 32-year historical data
Black
87%
31%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
White
4%
46%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
Two or more races
5%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 15-year historical data
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. View full 38-year historical data
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)29%
25.2%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
50%
Showing 2016–2025. View full 35-year historical data
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (14-15)
4%
6%
Showing 2006–2015. View full 17-year historical data
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SC Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is H. B. Rhame Elementary School's ranking?
H. B. Rhame Elementary School is ranked #911 out of 1,118 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in South Carolina.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
25% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 43% SC state average), while 32% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 52% SC state average).
How many students attend H. B. Rhame Elementary School?
418 students attend H. B. Rhame Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
87% of H. B. Rhame Elementary School students are Black, 5% of students are Two or more races, 4% of students are Hispanic, and 4% of students are White.
What is the student-teacher ratio of H. B. Rhame Elementary School?
H. B. Rhame Elementary School has a student ration of 14:1, which is equal to the South Carolina state average of 14:1.
What grades does H. B. Rhame Elementary School offer ?
H. B. Rhame Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-5 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is H. B. Rhame Elementary School part of?
H. B. Rhame Elementary School is part of Richland 01 School District.
School Reviews
2 10/10/2025
Poor quality school! Visible roaches crawling about. Most teachers/staff lack professionalism. They're not mindful of voice tones, a lot of yelling going on and some teachers have gone as far as trying to intimidate students by getting in their face! Too many negative vibes and teacher cliques that's full of gossip... Extremely unprofessional and ghetto! A lot of creating problems rather than solving and lack of positive guidance for students. The school district has a lot of work to do concerning weeding out the foolishness going on here rather than let it become a negative impact on the quality services they seek to provide. Ridiculous!
Review H. B. Rhame Elementary 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
Is Your Child's School Day Too Structured?
Discover where free time disappears during your child's school day, how to evaluate lunch, recess, and classroom schedules, and what parents can do when breaks become structured activities.
When Your Child's Best Friend Is in Another Class
Discover how to help your child when their best friend is assigned to another classroom, including school placement policies, maintaining friendships, building connections, and knowing when to request help.
Should Your Child Repeat a Grade or Move Ahead?
Before agreeing to grade retention, learn what evidence to request, how to review school policies, explore alternatives, understand parental rights, and secure an effective academic support plan for your child.
