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Best Public Schools in Columbia, SC (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Columbia Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 79 public schools serving 49,097 students in Columbia, SC (there are 43 private schools, serving 7,755 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 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 schools have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 43%), 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 75% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public school average of 54% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Columbia, SC (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Dreher High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3319 Millwood Avenue
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 253-7000
Gr: 9-12 | 1,144 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #22.
Spring Valley High School
Magnet School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
120 Sparkleberry Lane
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-3500
Gr: 9-12 | 2,230 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #33.
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: #44.
Brockman Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2245 Montclair Drive
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 790-6743
Gr: PK-5 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #55.
Ridge View High School
Magnet School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4801 Hard Scrabble Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-2999
Gr: 9-12 | 1,631 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #66.
Rosewood Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3300 Rosewood Drive
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 343-2930
Gr: K-5 | 338 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #77.
Satchel Ford Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5901 Satchel Ford Road
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 738-7209
Gr: K-5 | 721 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #88.
Brennen Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4438 Devereaux Road
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 738-7204
Gr: PK-5 | 805 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #99.
A. C. Flora High School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1 Falcon Drive
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 738-7300
Gr: 9-12 | 1,328 student Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1010.
Richland Northeast High School
Magnet School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
7500 Brookfield Road
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 699-2800
Gr: 9-12 | 1,340 student Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1111.
W.j. Keenan High School
Magnet School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
361 Pisgah Church Road
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 714-2500
Gr: 9-12 | 675 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1212.
Irmo High School
Magnet School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
6671 St. Andrews Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 476-5000
Gr: 9-12 | 1,272 student Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #1313.
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: #1414.
Crayton Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
5000 Clemson Avenue
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 738-7224
Gr: 6-8 | 952 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #1515.
Manning High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
502 Beckman Road
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 935-7203
Gr: 9-12 | 2 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1
Rank: #1616.
Columbia High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1701 Westchester Drive
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 731-8950
Gr: 9-12 | 681 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1717.
Forest Lake Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
6801 Brookfield Road
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 782-0470
Gr: PK-5 | 652 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
C. A. Johnson High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2219 Barhamville Road
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 253-7092
Gr: 9-12 | 344 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #18 - 1918. - 19.
Harbison West Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
257 Crossbow Drive
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 476-3800
Gr: PK-5 | 510 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #2020.
North Springs Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1300 Clemson Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 736-3183
Gr: PK-5 | 659 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #2121.
Eau Claire High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4800 Monticello Road
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-7600
Gr: 9-12 | 542 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2222.
L. B. Nelson Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
225 North Brickyard Road
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8730
Gr: PK-5 | 541 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #2323.
Pendergrass Fairwold School
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
5935 Token Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-3435
Gr: K-12 | 46 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #2424.
Sandlapper Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1001 Longtown Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 691-4045
Gr: PK-5 | 671 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #2525.
Logan Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
815 Elmwood Avenue
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 343-2915
Gr: PK-5 | 237 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #2626.
Nursery Road Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
6706 Nursery Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 476-4300
Gr: PK-5 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #2727.
A. C. Moore Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
333 Etiwan Avenue
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 343-2910
Gr: PK-5 | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #2828.
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: #2929.
Rice Creek Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
4751 Hard Scrabble Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-2900
Gr: PK-5 | 718 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #3030.
Leaphart Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
120 Piney Grove Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 476-4700
Gr: PK-5 | 483 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #3131.
Scdjj Evaluation And Detention Center
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
5000 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 896-9037
Gr: 4-12 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #3232.
Meadowfield Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
525 Galway Lane
Columbia, SC 29209
(803) 738-5549
Gr: PK-5 | 615 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #3333.
Polo Road Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1250 Polo Road
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 419-2226
Gr: PK-5 | 665 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #3434.
E. L. Wright Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2740 Alpine Road
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8740
Gr: K-8 | 1,275 student Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #3535.
Joseph Keels Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
7500 Springcrest Drive
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8754
Gr: PK-5 | 465 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 98%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Columbia, SC?
The top-ranked public schools in Columbia, SC include Dreher High School, Spring Valley High School and Richland One Charter Middle College.
How many public schools are located in Columbia?
79 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 75% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Columbia are often viewed compared to one another?

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