Summary
Congaree Elementary in West Columbia, SC, serves 352 students in grades 2-5 as part of the Lexington 02 school district, making it a smaller-than-average elementary school that serves a high-poverty population, with all students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
There's encouraging news for families considering this school: Congaree has shown real momentum recently. The school jumped from the 15th to the 27th percentile in statewide rankings, its best showing in several years. Reading scores in 4th and 5th grade now nearly match the district average, and science scores improved dramatically. The school also maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1, meaning smaller class sizes than many nearby options. However, math remains a challenge, particularly in 5th grade where only about 33% of students meet proficiency standards, compared to the district average of 38%. Chronic absenteeism (22.8%) is slightly above the state average and has been trending upward, which is worth monitoring.
One of the most notable aspects of Congaree is its spending: at $17,336 per student, it outspends many schools that achieve better results. For example, Springdale Elementary, just 3.7 miles away, spends about $1,750 less per student yet ranks in the 61st percentile statewide with significantly higher test scores. Similarly, East Point Academy, a charter school, spends over $5,000 less per student while achieving dramatically better outcomes. That said, Congaree outperforms Cayce Elementary, which ranks in the bottom 8th percentile. For parents, the takeaway is that Congaree is a school on an upward trajectory with strong recent gains in reading and science, but math achievement and the return on its high spending remain areas to watch closely.
Thank you for your feedback!