Best Columbia Public Charter Schools (2026-27)

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 8 public charter schools serving 9,279 students in Columbia, SC.
The top-ranked public charter schools in Columbia, SC are Richland One Charter Middle College, Sc Whitmore School and Sc Connections Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia, SC public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the South Carolina public charter school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 59% (versus the 57% statewide average). Charter schools in Columbia have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public charter schools.
Minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Black), which is equal to the South Carolina public charter school average of 44% (majority Black).

Best Public Charter Schools in Columbia, SC (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Richland One Charter Middle College
Charter School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 80-89% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
316 South Beltline Boulevard R
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 738-7114
Gr: 11-12 | 106 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #22.
Sc Whitmore School
Charter School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
501 Commerce Drive Ne
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 476-6416
Gr: 9-12 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #33.
Sc Connections Academy
Charter School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
201 Executive Center Drive Sui
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 212-4712
Gr: K-12 | 6,152 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #44.
Carolina School For Inquiry
Charter School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
7405-a Fairfield Road
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 691-1250
Gr: PK-6 | 114 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #55.
Clear Dot Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2015 Marion Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 567-3075
Gr: PK-11 | 474 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #66.
Palmetto Achievement Center For Excellence Academy
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
6015 N Main Street
Columbia, SC 29224
(803) 900-0664
Gr: 2-8 | 216 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: n/an/a
Berea
Charter School
3710 Landmark Drive Suite 201
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 734-8322
Rank: n/an/a
Carolus Online Academy
Charter School
101 Westpark Boulevard Suite C
Columbia, SC 29210
(866) 968-7512
Gr: K-12 | 1,786 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
4460 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2853
5900 Chesnut Rd
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 787-6815
Gr: 2-6
Hall Institute (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1800 Colonial Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 898-1488
Gr: K-12 | 28 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
5616 Hood Street
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 787-8266
Gr: 1-3 | 166 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
3801 North Main Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 929-1140
Gr: K-5 | 132 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
4344 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2714
Gr: 9-12 | 121 students Student-teacher ratio: 121:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
3806 North Main Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 630-1622
Gr: 6-11 | 166 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
2638 Two Notch Rd
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 799-5101
Gr: 4-8 | 79 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
610 Faison Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 935-7100
Gr: 7-12 | 20 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
200 Arbor Lake Drive Suite 301
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 735-9110
Gr: 9-12 | 242 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
115 Atrium Way Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 227-6670
Gr: 9-12 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
5715 Adams Ct
Columbia, SC 29206
(808) 782-1772
Gr: PK-1
425 Summit Terrace Court Build
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 567-5634
Gr: K-3 | 91 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
7900 Brookmont Lane
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 419-1348
Gr: 9-12 | 39 students Student-teacher ratio: 39:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
140 Stoneridge Drive Suite 420
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 253-6222
Gr: K-12 | 3,503 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
3700 Forrest Drive Suite 406
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 462-0254
Gr: K-8 | 226 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
2015 Marion Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 227-6422
Gr: 6-11 | 140 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
4546 Broad River Rd
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-1873
Walden (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
4340 Broad River Rd
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-8580

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public charter schools in Columbia, SC?
The top-ranked public charter schools in Columbia, SC include Richland One Charter Middle College, Sc Whitmore School and Sc Connections Academy.
How many public charter schools are located in Columbia?
8 public charter schools are located in Columbia.
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia?
Columbia public charter schools minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Black), which is equal to the South Carolina public charter schools average of 44% (majority Black).

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