For the 2025 school year, there are 81 public schools serving 48,048 students in Columbia, SC (there are 44 private schools, serving 7,146 private students). 87% of all K-12 students in Columbia, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Columbia, SC are Brockman Elementary School, Spring Valley High School and Richland One Charter Middle College. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia, SC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 32% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Columbia have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of South Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public school average of 53% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Columbia, SC (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Brockman Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2245 Montclair Drive
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 790-6743
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 790-6743
Grades: PK-5
| 266 students
Rank: #22.
Spring Valley High School
Magnet School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
120 Sparkleberry Lane
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-3500
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-3500
Grades: 9-12
| 2,314 students
Rank: #33.
Richland One Charter Middle College
Charter School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 80-89% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
316 South Beltline Boulevard R
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 738-7114
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 738-7114
Grades: 11-12
| 104 students
Rank: #44.
Dreher High School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3319 Millwood Avenue
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 253-7000
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 253-7000
Grades: 9-12
| 1,155 students
Rank: #55.
Rosewood Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3300 Rosewood Drive
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 343-2930
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 343-2930
Grades: K-5
| 343 students
Rank: #66.
Midlands Middle College
Charter School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 60-79% )
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1260 Lexington Drive
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 822-7043
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 822-7043
Grades: 10-12
| 134 students
Rank: #77.
Satchel Ford Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5901 Satchel Ford Road
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 738-7209
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 738-7209
Grades: K-5
| 698 students
Rank: #88.
Ridge View High School
Magnet School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4801 Hard Scrabble Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-2999
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-2999
Grades: 9-12
| 1,696 students
Rank: #99.
W.j. Keenan High School
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
361 Pisgah Church Road
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 714-2500
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 714-2500
Grades: 9-12
| 719 students
Rank: #1010.
Richland Northeast High School
Magnet School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7500 Brookfield Road
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 699-2800
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 699-2800
Grades: 9-12
| 1,301 students
Rank: #1111.
Brennen Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4438 Devereaux Road
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 738-7204
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 738-7204
Grades: PK-5
| 792 students
Rank: #1212.
A. C. Flora High School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1 Falcon Drive
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 738-7300
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 738-7300
Grades: 9-12
| 1,334 students
Rank: #1313.
Sc Whitmore School
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
501 Commerce Drive Ne
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 476-6416
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 476-6416
Grades: 9-12
| 478 students
Rank: #1414.
L. B. Nelson Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
225 North Brickyard Road
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8730
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8730
Grades: PK-5
| 553 students
Rank: #1515.
Crayton Middle School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
5000 Clemson Avenue
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 738-7224
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 738-7224
Grades: 6-8
| 924 students
Rank: #1616.
Forest Lake Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6801 Brookfield Road
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 782-0470
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 782-0470
Grades: PK-5
| 638 students
Rank: #1717.
Manning High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
502 Beckman Road
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 935-7203
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 935-7203
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: #1818.
Harbison West Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
257 Crossbow Drive
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 476-3800
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 476-3800
Grades: PK-5
| 507 students
Rank: #1919.
Columbia High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1701 Westchester Drive
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 731-8950
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 731-8950
Grades: 9-12
| 693 students
Rank: #2020.
C. A. Johnson High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2219 Barhamville Road
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 253-7092
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 253-7092
Grades: 9-12
| 369 students
Rank: #2121.
Pendergrass Fairwold School
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5935 Token Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-3435
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-3435
Grades: PK-12
| 56 students
Rank: #2222.
North Springs Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1300 Clemson Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 736-3183
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 736-3183
Grades: PK-5
| 672 students
Rank: #2323.
Irmo High School
Magnet School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6671 St. Andrews Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 476-5000
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 476-5000
Grades: 9-12
| 1,268 students
Rank: #2424.
Sandlapper Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1001 Longtown Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 691-4045
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 691-4045
Grades: PK-5
| 694 students
Rank: #2525.
Eau Claire High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4800 Monticello Road
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-7600
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-7600
Grades: 9-12
| 599 students
Rank: #2626.
Sc Connections Academy
Charter School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
201 Executive Center Drive Sui
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 212-4712
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 212-4712
Grades: K-12
| 5,955 students
Rank: #2727.
Logan Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
815 Elmwood Avenue
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 343-2915
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 343-2915
Grades: PK-5
| 221 students
Rank: #2828.
Nursery Road Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
6706 Nursery Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 476-4300
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 476-4300
Grades: PK-5
| 464 students
Rank: #2929.
Rice Creek Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4751 Hard Scrabble Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-2900
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-2900
Grades: PK-5
| 764 students
Rank: #3030.
A. C. Moore Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
333 Etiwan Avenue
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 343-2910
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 343-2910
Grades: PK-5
| 224 students
Rank: #3131.
Jackson Creek Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
7150 Trenholm Road Extension
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 790-3800
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 790-3800
Grades: PK-5
| 586 students
Rank: #3232.
Scdjj Evaluation And Detention Center
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5000 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 896-9037
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 896-9037
Grades: 4-12
| 436 students
Rank: #3333.
E. L. Wright Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2740 Alpine Road
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8740
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8740
Grades: K-8
| 1,285 students
Rank: #3434.
Hand Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2600 Wheat Street
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 343-2947
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 343-2947
Grades: 6-8
| 700 students
Rank: #3535.
Joseph Keels Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
7500 Springcrest Drive
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8754
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8754
Grades: PK-5
| 478 students
Show 46 more public schools in Columbia, SC (out of 81 total schools)
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Columbia, South Carolina Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Broad River Road Correctional Institution (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
4460 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2853
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2853
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
5900 Chesnut Rd
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 787-6815
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 787-6815
Grades: 2-6
| n/a students
Hall Institute (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1800 Colonial Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 898-1488
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 898-1488
Grades: K-12
| 28 students
5616 Hood Street
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 787-8266
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 787-8266
Grades: 1-3
| 166 students
3801 North Main Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 929-1140
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 929-1140
Grades: K-5
| 132 students
Kirkland High School (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
4344 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2714
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2714
Grades: 9-12
| 121 students
Midlands Arts Conservatory (Closed 2023)
Charter School
3806 North Main Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 630-1622
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 630-1622
Grades: 6-11
| 166 students
Midlands Math And Business Academy Charter (Closed 2014)
Charter School
2638 Two Notch Rd
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 799-5101
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 799-5101
Grades: 4-8
| 79 students
Morris Village High School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
610 Faison Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 935-7100
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 935-7100
Grades: 7-12
| 20 students
200 Arbor Lake Drive Suite 301
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 735-9110
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 735-9110
Grades: 9-12
| 242 students
115 Atrium Way Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 227-6670
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 227-6670
Grades: 9-12
| 310 students
5715 Adams Ct
Columbia, SC 29206
(808) 782-1772
Columbia, SC 29206
(808) 782-1772
Grades: PK-1
| n/a students
425 Summit Terrace Court Build
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 567-5634
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 567-5634
Grades: K-3
| 91 students
Richland Two Charter High School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
7900 Brookmont Lane
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 419-1348
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 419-1348
Grades: 9-12
| 39 students
Sc Virtual Charter School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
140 Stoneridge Drive Suite 420
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 253-6222
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 253-6222
Grades: K-12
| 3,503 students
3700 Forrest Drive Suite 406
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 462-0254
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 462-0254
Grades: K-8
| 226 students
2015 Marion Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 227-6422
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 227-6422
Grades: 6-11
| 140 students
501 Commerce Drive
Columbia, SC 29223
(866) 476-6416
Columbia, SC 29223
(866) 476-6416
Grades: 9-12
| 449 students
Stevenson Correctional Institution (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
4546 Broad River Rd
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-1873
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-1873
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Walden (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
4340 Broad River Rd
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-8580
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-8580
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Columbia, SC?
The top ranked public schools in Columbia, SC include Brockman Elementary School, Spring Valley High School and Richland One Charter Middle College.
How many public schools are located in Columbia?
81 public schools are located in Columbia.
What percentage of students in Columbia go to public school?
87% of all K-12 students in Columbia are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia?
Columbia public schools minority enrollment is 76% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public schools average of 53% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Columbia are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Columbia include: W. A. Perry Middle School vs. W. G. Sanders Middle School, W. G. Sanders Middle School vs. W. A. Perry Middle School, Dreher High School vs. A. C. Flora High School
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