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Best Elementary Schools in Columbia, SC


At a glance
42
Schools
21,008
Students
3
Districts
1
5-star school
Top rankedSatchel Ford Elementary61st of 640 South Carolina elementary schools
Biggest riser
Annie Burnside Elementary up 162 spots statewide this year
Smallest classes
Nursery Road Elementary 8.7 students per teacher
SchoolDigger ratings
3★
2★
1★
0★
1 school without a SchoolDigger rating (too few tested students)
Summary:

The city of Columbia, South Carolina is home to 43 elementary schools spanning two school districts - Richland 01 and Richland 02. These schools serve students from pre-kindergarten through 5th or 6th grade and provide a diverse range of educational experiences and outcomes.

Among the standout elementary schools in the area are Brockman Elementary, Rosewood Elementary, and Satchel Ford Elementary, all of which consistently rank among the top performers in the state. These schools boast exceptional proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Mathematics, far exceeding the district and state averages. In contrast, some schools struggle with proficiency rates as low as 1-3%, highlighting the wide range of academic achievement across the region.

Broader trends in the data reveal systemic challenges, such as high rates of chronic absenteeism (22.5% on average) and a concentration of economic disadvantage, with many schools reporting 100% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. While per-student spending varies widely, from around $12,000 to over $30,000, the data does not show a clear correlation between higher spending and better academic outcomes. These findings suggest that addressing the disparities in Columbia's elementary schools will require a multifaceted approach, focusing on identifying and replicating successful practices, as well as targeted interventions to support the most vulnerable students and schools.

Ranking:
Map legend
E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private





Cities Near Columbia

See the top SC South Carolina cities

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the South Carolina Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





Diagnostics