For the 2025 school year, there are 25 public high schools serving 19,080 students in Columbia, SC.
The top ranked public high schools in Columbia, SC are Dreher High 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 high schools have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the South Carolina public high school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 70% (versus the 77% statewide average). High schools in Columbia have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public high schools.
Columbia, SC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 74%, which is less than the South Carolina average of 84%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Ridge View High School, with 91% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in South Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public high school average of 52% (majority Black).
Best Public High Schools in Columbia, SC (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Dreher High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3319 Millwood Avenue
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 253-7000
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 253-7000
Gr: 9-12 | 1,155 student Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #22.
Spring Valley High School
Magnet School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
120 Sparkleberry Lane
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-3500
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-3500
Gr: 9-12 | 2,314 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
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
Gr: 11-12 | 104 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #44.
Ridge View High School
Magnet School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4801 Hard Scrabble Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-2999
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-2999
Gr: 9-12 | 1,696 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #55.
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
Gr: 10-12 | 134 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #66.
A. C. Flora High School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1 Falcon Drive
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 738-7300
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 738-7300
Gr: 9-12 | 1,334 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #77.
Richland Northeast High School
Magnet School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7500 Brookfield Road
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 699-2800
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 699-2800
Gr: 9-12 | 1,301 student Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #88.
W.j. Keenan High School
Magnet School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
361 Pisgah Church Road
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 714-2500
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 714-2500
Gr: 9-12 | 719 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #99.
Irmo High School
Magnet School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
6671 St. Andrews Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 476-5000
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 476-5000
Gr: 9-12 | 1,268 student Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #1010.
Sc Whitmore School
Charter School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
501 Commerce Drive Ne
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 476-6416
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 476-6416
Gr: 9-12 | 478 students Student-teacher ratio: 34:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #1111.
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
Gr: 9-12
Rank: #1212.
Columbia High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1701 Westchester Drive
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 731-8950
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 731-8950
Gr: 9-12 | 693 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1313.
C. A. Johnson High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2219 Barhamville Road
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 253-7092
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 253-7092
Gr: 9-12 | 369 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1414.
Eau Claire High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4800 Monticello Road
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-7600
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-7600
Gr: 9-12 | 599 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1515.
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
Gr: PK-12 | 56 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #1616.
Sc Connections Academy
Charter School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
201 Executive Center Drive Sui
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 212-4712
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 212-4712
Gr: K-12 | 5,955 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1717.
Scdjj Evaluation And Detention Center
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5000 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 896-9037
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 896-9037
Gr: 4-12 | 436 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #1818.
Clear Dot Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2015 Marion Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 567-3075
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 567-3075
Gr: PK-10 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #1919.
Empowerment And Enrichment Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
5000 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 896-9114
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 896-9114
Gr: 5-12
Rank: #2020.
The Palmetto Empowerment And Enrichment Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
5000 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-5952
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-5952
Gr: 5-12
Rank: n/an/a
Broad River High School
Alternative School
4460 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2714
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2714
Gr: 9-12 | 16 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Rank: n/an/a
Kirkland High School
Alternative School
4344 Broad River
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2708
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2708
Gr: 9-12 | 32 students Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: n/an/a
Samuel A. Heyward Career And Technology Center
Vocational School
3560 Lynhaven Drive
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 735-3343
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 735-3343
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Sara Babb High School
Alternative School
4450 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2714
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2714
Gr: 9-12 | 3 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1
Rank: n/an/a
220 Stoneridge Drive Suite 403
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 212-4712
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 212-4712
Gr: K-12
Columbia, South Carolina Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
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
5900 Chesnut Rd
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 787-6815
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
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
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
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 929-1140
Gr: K-5 | 132 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Kirkland High School (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
4344 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2714
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2714
Gr: 9-12 | 121 students Student-teacher ratio: 121:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Midlands Arts Conservatory (Closed 2023)
Charter School
3806 North Main Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 630-1622
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 630-1622
Gr: 6-11 | 166 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
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
Gr: 4-8 | 79 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Morris Village High School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
610 Faison Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 935-7100
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
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
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 227-6670
Gr: 9-12 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
425 Summit Terrace Court Build
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 567-5634
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 567-5634
Gr: K-3 | 91 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Richland Two Charter High School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
7900 Brookmont Lane
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 419-1348
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 419-1348
Gr: 9-12 | 39 students Student-teacher ratio: 39:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
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
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
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
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 227-6422
Gr: 6-11 | 140 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
501 Commerce Drive
Columbia, SC 29223
(866) 476-6416
Columbia, SC 29223
(866) 476-6416
Gr: 9-12 | 449 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Stevenson Correctional Institution (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
4546 Broad River Rd
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-1873
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-1873
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public high schools in Columbia, SC?
The top ranked public high schools in Columbia, SC include Dreher High School, Spring Valley High School and Richland One Charter Middle College.
How many public high schools are located in Columbia?
25 public high schools are located in Columbia.
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia?
Columbia public high schools minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public high schools average of 52% (majority Black).
Which public high schools in Columbia are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Columbia include: Dreher High School vs. A. C. Flora High School, A. C. Flora High School vs. Dreher High School, The Palmetto Empowerment And Enrichment Academy vs. Empowerment And Enrichment Academy
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