Top 10 Best Columbia Public Middle Schools (2024)

For the 2024 school year, there are 20 public middle schools serving 16,801 students in Columbia, SC.
The top ranked public middle schools in Columbia, SC are Crayton Middle School, Pendergrass Fairwold School and E. L. Wright Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia, SC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the South Carolina public middle school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 43% statewide average). Middle schools in Columbia have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of South Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public middle school average of 51% (majority Black).

Best Public Middle Schools in Columbia, SC (2024)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Crayton Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
5000 Clemson Avenue
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 738-7224
Grades: 6-8
| 948 students
Rank: #22.
Pendergrass Fairwold School
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
5935 Token Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-3435
Grades: PK-12
| 58 students
Rank: #33.
E. L. Wright Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2740 Alpine Road
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8740
Grades: K-8
| 1,372 students
Rank: #44.
Midlands Arts Conservatory
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3806 North Main Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 630-1622
Grades: 6-10
| 164 students
Rank: #55.
Irmo Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
6051 Wescott Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 476-3600
Grades: 6-8
| 964 students
Rank: #66.
Dent Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2721 Decker Boulevard
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 699-2750
Grades: 6-8
| 1,133 students
Rank: #77.
Hand Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2600 Wheat Street
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 343-2947
Grades: 6-8
| 672 students
Rank: #88.
Summit Parkway Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
200 Summit Parkway
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-3580
Grades: K-8
| 1,125 students
Rank: #99.
Longleaf Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1160 Longreen Parkway
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 691-4870
Grades: 6-8
| 851 students
Rank: #1010.
Evaluation And Detention Center
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 40-49% )
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1731 Shivers Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-9037
Grades: 5-12
| 205 students
Rank: #1111.
W. G. Sanders Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3455 Pine Belt Road
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 735-7575
Grades: 6-8
| 524 students
Rank: #1212.
St. Andrews Middle School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1231 Bluefield Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 731-8910
Grades: 6-8
| 769 students
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
Heyward Gibbes Middle School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
500 Summerlea Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 343-2942
Grades: 6-8
| 303 students
Rank: #13 - 1413. - 14.
W. A. Perry Middle School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2600 Barhamville Road
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 256-6347
Grades: 6-8
| 304 students
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
Alcorn Middle School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
5125 Fairfield Road
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-3439
Grades: 6-8
| 399 students
Rank: #15 - 1615. - 16.
The Palmetto Empowerment And Enrichment Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1731 Shivers Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-5952
Grades: 5-12
| 110 students
Rank: #1717.
Empowerment And Enrichment Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19% )
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
5000 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 896-9114
Grades: 5-12
| 67 students
Rank: n/an/a
Clear Dot Charter School
Charter School
2015 Marion Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 567-3075
Grades: K-8
| 305 students
Rank: n/an/a
6015 N Main Street
Columbia, SC 29224
(803) 900-0664
Grades: 2-7
| 178 students
Rank: n/an/a
Sc Connections Academy
Charter School
201 Executive Center Drive Sui
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 212-4712
Grades: K-12
| 6,350 students
[+] Show Closed Public Schools in Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina Public Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Grades
Students
4460 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2853
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
5900 Chesnut Rd
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 787-6815
Grades: 2-6
| n/a students
Hall Institute (Closed 2021)
Special Education School
1800 Colonial Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 898-1488
Grades: K-12
| 28 students
5616 Hood Street
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 787-8266
Grades: 1-3
| 166 students
3801 North Main Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 929-1140
Grades: K-5
| 132 students
4344 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2714
Grades: 9-12
| 121 students
2638 Two Notch Rd
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 799-5101
Grades: 4-8
| 79 students
610 Faison Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 935-7100
Grades: 7-12
| 20 students
200 Arbor Lake Drive Suite 301
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 735-9110
Grades: 9-12
| 242 students
115 Atrium Way Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 227-6670
Grades: 9-12
| 310 students
5715 Adams Ct
Columbia, SC 29206
(808) 782-1772
Grades: PK-1
| n/a students
425 Summit Terrace Court Build
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 567-5634
Grades: K-3
| 91 students
7900 Brookmont Lane
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 419-1348
Grades: 9-12
| 39 students
140 Stoneridge Drive Suite 420
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 253-6222
Grades: K-12
| 3,503 students
3700 Forrest Drive Suite 406
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 462-0254
Grades: K-8
| 226 students
220 Stoneridge Drive Suite 403
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 212-4712
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
2015 Marion Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 227-6422
Grades: 6-11
| 140 students
501 Commerce Drive
Columbia, SC 29223
(866) 476-6416
Grades: 9-12
| 449 students
4546 Broad River Rd
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
Grades: n/a
| n/a students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public middle schools in Columbia, SC?
The top ranked public middle schools in Columbia, SC include Crayton Middle School, Pendergrass Fairwold School and E. L. Wright Middle School.
How many public middle schools are located in Columbia, SC?
20 public middle schools are located in Columbia, SC.
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia, SC?
Columbia, SC public middle schools minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public middle schools average of 51% (majority Black).

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