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Sandel Elementary

Public Grades PK, KG-5

606^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 661 South Carolina Elementary Schools

Better than 8% of South Carolina elementary schools

Summary

Sandel Elementary is a PK-5 public school in Columbia, SC, serving 479 students within the Richland 01 school district, where 100% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

For parents, the most important takeaway is that Sandel faces significant academic challenges, with proficiency rates in English, math, and science consistently below both the district and state averages. For example, 3rd-grade ELA proficiency sits at 33.4% compared to 56.2% for the district and 64.1% statewide. The school's overall ranking has been volatile, swinging from the 22nd percentile in 2023-2024 to the 8th percentile in 2025-2026. However, there are some bright spots. Chronic absenteeism has improved dramatically, dropping from 32.4% in 2022-2023 to 21.8% in 2024-2025, now in line with the state average. Additionally, 5th-grade math proficiency has more than doubled over the same period, rising from 14.5% to 34.3%, suggesting that targeted efforts may be gaining traction.

When comparing Sandel to nearby schools, the picture is mixed. It outperforms Edward E. Taylor Elementary (0th percentile) but trails Logan Elementary (57th percentile) and H.B. Rhame Elementary (22nd percentile). The contrast with East Point Academy, a charter school just 3.4 miles away, is stark—East Point ranks in the 77th percentile with an 80%+ proficiency rate in several subjects and a 7.2% chronic absenteeism rate. Sandel spends significantly more per student ($18,452) than East Point ($11,901), yet outcomes differ greatly. While Sandel serves a higher-poverty population, the spending gap suggests resources alone aren't driving results. For parents, this means Sandel offers a supportive environment with improving attendance, but academic performance remains a concern that requires close monitoring and active involvement.

479

Students ?

13.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$19,189

Per pupil spending ?

87.4%

Directly certified for free meals (2023-24) ?

All students receive free meals (Community Eligibility, 2023-24)

91%

Students (all grades) with required immunizations (2025-26)

2700 Seminole Road
Columbia, SC 29210

(803) 731-8906

District: Richland 01

Students who attend Sandel Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	St. Andrews Middle
High:	Columbia High

Racial breakdown:

African American:

78.3%

Hispanic:

12.3%

Two or more races:

4.4%

See top rated South Carolina elementary schools

Compare Sandel Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 16th percentile in 2016 → 8th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the South Carolina average (35% vs 58% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (8th percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (29% vs 21% South Carolina)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school35%

District avg50%

South Carolina avg58%

606^th of 661

South Carolina public elementary schools ?

Bottom 8%▼ down 8 pts since 2016

From bottom 16% (2016) to bottom 8% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of South Carolina Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

25^th of 27Elementary Schools in the Richland 01

55^th of 75Richland 01 among South Carolina districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	12.9	606 of 661	8.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	13.6	573 of 639	10.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	22.7	505 of 643	21.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	16.6	552 of 644	14.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	12.0	560 of 625	10.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	9.2	588 of 622	5.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	20.3	521 of 643	19.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	16.6	539 of 624	13.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	14.2	579 of 639	9.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	20.9	521 of 619	15.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	20.0	564 of 638	11.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	18.0	575 of 630	8.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	12.0	562 of 599	6.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	13.7	546 of 594	8.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2011	14.4	551 of 597	7.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2010	17.3	536 of 589	9.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2009	32.7	429 of 580	26.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	24.9	487 of 577	15.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	24.9	477 of 566	15.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	14.6	512 of 559	8.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2005	11.3	528 of 557	5.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2004	10.6	518 of 550	5.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2003	20.2	464 of 542	14.4%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	33.8	279 of 384	27.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	48.5	193 of 380	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	59.3	124 of 369	66.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	42.6	216 of 394	45.2%	★★☆☆☆
2022	28.8	304 of 393	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	25.1	291 of 350	16.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	52.3	196 of 421	53.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	44.0	238 of 412	42.2%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	13.9	547 of 599	8.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	14.1	527 of 580	9.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	34.7	376 of 568	33.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	18.3	496 of 580	14.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	11.8	514 of 573	10.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	8.7	529 of 554	4.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	21.5	478 of 588	18.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	10.7	529 of 570	7.2%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	11.9	610 of 634	3.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	16.8	545 of 612	10.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	33.7	421 of 602	30.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	22.7	496 of 608	18.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	15.4	536 of 600	10.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	12.5	539 of 580	7.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	32.9	433 of 600	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	25.4	472 of 588	19.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	South Carolina percentile	Rating
2026	11.5	547 of 591	7.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	15.3	510 of 585	12.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	15.5	496 of 571	13.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	15.0	510 of 582	12.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	12.1	520 of 579	10.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	8.5	532 of 561	5.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	17.1	512 of 590	13.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	26.0	439 of 571	23.1%	★☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

African American (2026)27th percentile+19 vs school

Female (2026)9th percentile~ school

Male (2026)7th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)4th percentile-5 vs school

By subject vs South Carolina (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts42%-23 vs state

Mathematics29%-24 vs state

Science28%-23 vs state

★

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Schools Near Sandel Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				SC READY English Language Arts (2026)						SC READY Mathematics (2026)						SC READY Science (2026)		Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2026)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Directly certified (2023-24)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	SC READY English Language Arts 3rd Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 4th Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 5th Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 6th Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 7th Grade	SC READY English Language Arts 8th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 3rd Grade	SC READY Mathematics 4th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 5th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 6th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 7th Grade	SC READY Mathematics 8th Grade	SC READY Science 4th Grade	SC READY Science 6th Grade	Vaccination: Students (all grades) with required immunizations	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures: Total	Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Non-Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Personnel Spending from State and Local Funds	Non-Personnel from State and Local Funds	Sub-total Spending from State and Local Funds
Sandel Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2700 Seminole Road	Columbia	29210	Richland County	Richland 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 731-8906	479	36	13.3	87.4%	7 (1.5%)	375 (78.3%)	59 (12.3%)	17 (3.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (4.4%)	12.9	606^th of 661 public elementary schools	8.3%		13.6	573^rd of 639 public elementary schools	10.3%	33	33.4	46.9	44.8				27.0	26.6	34.3				28.1		91%		$19,189	$1,548	$1,140	$2,687	$14,074	$2,427	$16,502
Pine Grove Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	111 Huffstetler Drive	Columbia	29210	Richland County	Richland 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 214-2380	501	39	12.8	82.5%	37 (7.4%)	369 (73.7%)	55 (11.0%)	8 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (6.2%)	16.6	570^th of 661 public elementary schools	13.8%		13.2	576^th of 639 public elementary schools	9.9%	6	49.2	43.3	51.7				41.2	17.0	32.7				26.7		≥ 96%		$20,350	$1,491	$1,145	$2,637	$15,122	$2,592	$17,714
Seven Oaks Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	2800 Ashland Road	Columbia	29210	Lexington County	Lexington 05	No	Yes	No	Yes	(803) 476-8500	522	56	9.3	81.7%	66 (12.6%)	329 (63.0%)	47 (9.0%)	43 (8.2%)	1 (0.2%)	5 (1.0%)	31 (5.9%)	19.2	544^th of 661 public elementary schools	17.7%		17.1	548^th of 639 public elementary schools	14.2%	4	52.0	53.3	41.7				41.3	36.4	21.9				31.2		89%		$22,300	$1,640	$1,203	$2,844	$14,900	$1,713	$19,457
H. B. Rhame Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1300 Arrowwood Drive	Columbia	29210	Richland County	Richland 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 731-8900	418	30	13.9	86.4%	15 (3.6%)	362 (86.6%)	19 (4.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (5.3%)	23	516^th of 661 public elementary schools	21.9%		28.6	460^th of 639 public elementary schools	28.0%	56	57.3	55.0	42.6				48.5	34.4	24.6				27.9		94%		$19,707	$1,587	$1,056	$2,643	$14,382	$2,681	$17,063
Edward E. Taylor Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	200 McRae Street	Columbia	29203	Richland County	Richland 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 343-2974	217	19	11.4	91.9%	0 (0.0%)	188 (86.6%)	18 (8.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (5.1%)	2.8	658^th of 661 public elementary schools	0.5%		17.4	543^rd of 639 public elementary schools	15.0%	115	32.5	20.0	37.0				21.0	5.0	14.8				5.0		≥ 96%		$25,069	$1,304	$1,304	$2,609	$19,141	$3,319	$22,460
Riverbank Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	160 Cougar Drive	West Columbia	29169	Lexington County	Lexington 02	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 936-3400	996	80	12.4	70.6%	199 (20.0%)	265 (26.6%)	469 (47.1%)	12 (1.2%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	50 (5.0%)	41.1	393^rd of 661 public elementary schools	40.5%		29.1	457^th of 639 public elementary schools	28.5%	64	48.6	63.0	54.7				54.8	50.7	43.1				46.3		92%		$15,979	$623	$1,114	$1,737	$12,356	$1,887	$14,242
East Point Academy	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	Elementary Campus	West Columbia	29169	Lexington County	School Public Charter School District	Yes	No	No	Yes	(803) 926-5180	724	55	13.1	39.9%	316 (43.6%)	224 (30.9%)	51 (7.0%)	37 (5.1%)	6 (0.8%)	2 (0.3%)	88 (12.2%)	75.9	149^th of 661 public elementary schools	77.5%		81.1	106^th of 639 public elementary schools	83.4%	43	84.3	90.5	70.6	55.9	85.5	73.6	79.1	81.0	51.8	28.8	55.3	63.1	80.0	36.2	90%		$11,641	$219	$559	$778	$8,878	$1,985	$10,863
Saluda River Academy for the Arts	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	1520 Duke Avenue	West Columbia	29169	Lexington County	Lexington 02	No	Yes	No	Yes	(803) 739-4095	400	31	12.9	61.5%	154 (38.5%)	117 (29.3%)	82 (20.5%)	13 (3.3%)	5 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (7.3%)	45.4	351^st of 661 public elementary schools	46.9%		40.3	374^th of 639 public elementary schools	41.5%	23	52.2	67.8	63.4				49.2	41.7	47.6				52.5		96%		$17,712	$808	$1,146	$1,953	$13,086	$2,673	$15,759
Leaphart Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	120 Piney Grove Road	Columbia	29210	Lexington County	Lexington 05	No	Yes	No	Yes	(803) 476-4700	483	45	10.7	67.5%	137 (28.4%)	241 (49.9%)	46 (9.5%)	9 (1.9%)	1 (0.2%)	13 (2.7%)	36 (7.5%)	45.2	354^th of 661 public elementary schools	46.4%		44.6	344^th of 639 public elementary schools	46.2%	10	53.5	68.0	59.2				45.1	55.2	47.3				43.6		94%		$21,816	$1,788	$983	$2,771	$14,444	$1,830	$19,045
Hyatt Park Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4200 Main Street	Columbia	29203	Richland County	Richland 01	No	No	No	Yes	(803) 735-3421	317	27	11.7	93.7%	9 (2.8%)	280 (88.3%)	12 (3.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (5.0%)	15.7	580^th of 661 public elementary schools	12.3%		9.3	608^th of 639 public elementary schools	4.9%	28	56.0	46.2	36.0				52.0	23.0	16.0				15.4		87%		$24,662	$2,061	$1,149	$3,210	$17,725	$3,726	$21,452

Frequently Asked Questions about Sandel Elementary

What is the racial makeup of Sandel Elementary?

Students at Sandel Elementary are 78% African American, 12% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races, 4% Asian, 1% White.

How many students attend Sandel Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 479 students attended Sandel Elementary.

What schools do graduates of Sandel Elementary attend?

Students who attend Sandel Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : St. Andrews Middle
High : Columbia High

What district is Sandel Elementary in?

Richland 01

Is Sandel Elementary a good school?

Sandel Elementary ranks in the bottom 8.3% of South Carolina elementary schools.

Rate Sandel Elementary!

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Latest South Carolina data All new data »

2025–26 graduation rates (updated)NewNov 2, 2026

2024–25 through 2025–26 immunization ratesOct 20, 2026

2025–26 school spending dataOct 12, 2026

2025–26 attendance data & dropout ratesOct 12, 2026

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.