Best Public Schools in Columbia, SC

The city of Columbia, South Carolina is home to a diverse array of 73 schools, including 43 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, 14 high schools, and 4 alternative schools, serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade across public, public charter, and virtual charter school types.

The data reveals significant disparities in academic performance across the schools. Brockman Elementary and Rosewood Elementary rank among the top elementary schools in the state, while others like Richland Northeast High and Eau Claire High struggle to meet state averages. The high-performing magnet high schools, Spring Valley High and Ridge View High, as well as Crayton Middle, also stand out for their strong academic outcomes.

Chronic absenteeism is a significant challenge, with the district average of 22.5% well above the state average. Schools with the highest chronic absenteeism rates include Spring Valley High, Ridge View High, and A.C. Flora High. Meanwhile, the virtual charter school, School Connections Academy, has a relatively low dropout rate of 2.3%. Across the district, economic disadvantage is prevalent, with many schools having 100% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.