For the 2026 school year, there are 51 public preschools serving 23,212 students in Richland County, SC.
The top-ranked public preschools in Richland County, SC are Lake Carolina Elementary Lower Campus, Brockman Elementary School and Brennen Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Richland County, SC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the South Carolina public pre school average of 48%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 48% statewide average). Pre schools in Richland County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of South Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public preschool average of 55% (majority Black).
Best Public Preschools in Richland County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Lake Carolina Elementary Lower Campus
(Math: 92% | Reading: 97% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1151 Kelly Mill Road
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 714-1300
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 714-1300
Gr: PK-2 | 531 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #22.
Brockman Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2245 Montclair Drive
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 790-6743
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 790-6743
Gr: PK-5 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #33.
Brennen Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4438 Devereaux Road
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 738-7204
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 738-7204
Gr: PK-5 | 805 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #44.
Round Top Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
449 Rimer Pond Road
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-8676
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-8676
Gr: PK-5 | 581 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #55.
Ballentine Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1040 Bickley Road
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-4500
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-4500
Gr: PK-5 | 523 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #66.
River Springs Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
115 Connie Wright Road
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-4400
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-4400
Gr: PK-5 | 416 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #77.
Bethel-hanberry Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
125 Boney Road
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-6880
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-6880
Gr: PK-5 | 711 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #88.
Irmo Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
7401 Gibbes Street
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-4200
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-4200
Gr: PK-5 | 487 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #99.
Oak Pointe Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1 River Bottom Road
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-4100
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-4100
Gr: PK-5 | 484 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1010.
Langford Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
480 Langford Road
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-4091
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-4091
Gr: PK-5 | 631 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1111.
Forest Lake Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6801 Brookfield Road
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 782-0470
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 782-0470
Gr: PK-5 | 652 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #1212.
H. E. Corley Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1500 Chadford Road
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-4001
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-4001
Gr: PK-5 | 557 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1313.
North Springs Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1300 Clemson Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 736-3183
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 736-3183
Gr: PK-5 | 659 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #1414.
L. B. Nelson Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
225 North Brickyard Road
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8730
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8730
Gr: PK-5 | 541 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #1515.
Sandlapper Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1001 Longtown Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 691-4045
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 691-4045
Gr: PK-5 | 671 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1616.
Logan Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
815 Elmwood Avenue
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 343-2915
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 343-2915
Gr: PK-5 | 237 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1717.
A. C. Moore Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
333 Etiwan Avenue
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 343-2910
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 343-2910
Gr: PK-5 | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1818.
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
Gr: PK-5 | 718 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1919.
Leaphart Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
120 Piney Grove Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 476-4700
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 476-4700
Gr: PK-5 | 483 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #2020.
Meadowfield Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
525 Galway Lane
Columbia, SC 29209
(803) 738-5549
Columbia, SC 29209
(803) 738-5549
Gr: PK-5 | 615 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #2121.
Polo Road Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1250 Polo Road
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 419-2226
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 419-2226
Gr: PK-5 | 665 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #2222.
Dutch Fork Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
7900 Broad River Road
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-3900
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-3900
Gr: PK-5 | 442 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #2323.
Hopkins Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
6120 Cabin Creek Road
Hopkins, SC 29061
(803) 783-5541
Hopkins, SC 29061
(803) 783-5541
Gr: PK-5 | 284 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #2424.
Joseph Keels Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
7500 Springcrest Drive
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8754
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8754
Gr: PK-5 | 465 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2525.
Killian Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2621 Clemson Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-2981
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-2981
Gr: PK-5 | 699 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2626.
Jackson Creek Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
7150 Trenholm Road Extension
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 790-3800
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 790-3800
Gr: PK-5 | 551 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2727.
Annie Burnside Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
7300 Patterson Road
Columbia, SC 29209
(803) 783-5530
Columbia, SC 29209
(803) 783-5530
Gr: PK-5 | 306 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Bradley Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3032 Pinebelt Road
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 738-7200
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 738-7200
Gr: PK-5 | 392 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #28 - 2928. - 29.
Carver-lyon Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2100 Waverly Street
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 343-2900
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 343-2900
Gr: PK-5 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #3030.
Gadsden Elementary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1660 South Goodwin Circle
Gadsden, SC 29052
(803) 353-2231
Gadsden, SC 29052
(803) 353-2231
Gr: PK-5 | 133 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #3131.
South Kilbourne Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1400 South Kilbourne Road
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 738-7215
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 738-7215
Gr: PK-5 | 234 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #3232.
Windsor Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
9800 Dunbarton Drive
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8723
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8723
Gr: PK-5 | 579 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #3333.
Seven Oaks Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2800 Ashland Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 476-8500
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 476-8500
Gr: PK-5 | 522 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #3434.
Mill Creek Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
925 Universal Drive
Columbia, SC 29209
(803) 783-5553
Columbia, SC 29209
(803) 783-5553
Gr: PK-5 | 353 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #3535.
Carolina School For Inquiry
Charter School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
7405-a Fairfield Road
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 691-1250
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 691-1250
Gr: PK-6 | 114 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Show 16 more public schools in Richland County, SC (out of 51 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public preschools in Richland County, SC?
The top-ranked public preschools in Richland County, SC include Lake Carolina Elementary Lower Campus, Brockman Elementary School and Brennen Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Richland County?
51 public preschools are located in Richland County.
What is the racial composition of students in Richland County?
Richland County public preschools minority enrollment is 83% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public preschools average of 55% (majority Black).
Which public preschools in Richland County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Richland County include: Annie Burnside Elementary School vs. Meadowfield Elementary School, Hopkins Elementary School vs. Horrell Hill Elementary School, Oak Pointe Elementary School vs. River Springs Elementary School
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