Photo: Akhenaton06 · CC BY-SA 3.0Columbia’s public schools outscore 59% of South Carolina districts
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Columbia, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within South Carolina, not nationally.
From South Carolina state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Columbia’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 184 South Carolina towns with household incomes within a quarter of Columbia’s, its schools beat 52%, lower than their 59% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 49% of tested students were proficient in reading and 37% in math, against 52% and 41% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
86% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Richland School District 2 spends $14,935 per student and Richland School District 1 $20,012, against $15,090 across South Carolina (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Richland One Charter Middle College, Clear Dot Charter School, Ben Lippen School (private), Hammond School (private), St. Joseph School (private), Kilbourne Park Baptist Church Weekday Preschool (private), Center for Learning Inc (private), Shandon United Methodist Preschool & Kindergarten (private), St. Peters Catholic School (private), Montessori School of Columbia (private), Sandhills School (private), Asbury Kindergarten & Preschool (private), St. Martin de Porres School (private), Daniels Christian Schools (private) and Marnie Leads Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Columbia’s grade
B: better than 59% of South Carolina school districts, #106 of 169 South Carolina towns. Graduation is above the South Carolina average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Columbia, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Columbia · depends on your address
Dreher High
Grades 9–12 · 1,144 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Eau Claire High
Grades 9–12 · 542 students · 12:1 students per teacher
C. A. Johnson High
Grades 9–12 · 344 students · 9:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Columbia · depends on your address
Dreher High
Grades 9–12 · 1,144 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Eau Claire High
Grades 9–12 · 542 students · 12:1 students per teacher
C. A. Johnson High
Grades 9–12 · 344 students · 9:1 students per teacher
Columbia runs its own schools through grade 12 (Richland School District 2). From grade PK, students attend the Richland School District 1, shared with Cayce, Eastover and Forest Acres. Parts of Columbia (3% of its land) are served by Lexington School District 5 instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Columbia
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Columbia vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the South Carolina towns that share Columbia’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia | B | Richland School District 2 PK–12 · Richland School District 1 PK–12 |
| Forest Acres | C | Richland School District 1 |
| West Columbia | C | Lexington School District 2 |
| Irmo | A− | Lexington School District 5 |
| Cayce | C | Lexington School District 2 PK–12 · Richland School District 1 PK–12 |
2 of the 4 neighbors share Richland School District 1 with Columbia for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades.
Every school in Columbia
45 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with South Carolina’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 4 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Manning High, Sara Babb High, Empowerment and Enrichment Academy and The Palmetto Empowerment and Enrichment Academy).
Questions about Columbia’s schools
Are Columbia’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of South Carolina: the public schools Columbia children attend outscore 59% of South Carolina’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #106 of 169 South Carolina towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 52%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Columbia in?
Two districts: Richland School District 2 runs grades PK–12, and Richland School District 1 runs grades PK–12, shared with Cayce, Eastover and Forest Acres.
Where do Columbia kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Dreher High, Eau Claire High and C. A. Johnson High.
What is Columbia’s graduation rate?
86% of the class of 2023 in Richland School District 2 graduated in four years, against 84% across South Carolina.
How much does Columbia spend per student?
$14,935 in Richland School District 2 and $20,012 in Richland School District 1 (FY2024), against $15,090 across South Carolina. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Columbia?
Yes: Ben Lippen School (religious, grades PK–12, 1,176 students), Hammond School (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 1,007 students), St. Joseph School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 243 students), Kilbourne Park Baptist Church Weekday Preschool (religious, grades PK–K, 182 students), Center for Learning Inc (nonsectarian, grades PK–5, 177 students), Shandon United Methodist Preschool & Kindergarten (religious, grades PK–K, 170 students), St. Peters Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 147 students), Montessori School of Columbia (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 141 students), Sandhills School (special education, grades 1–12, 104 students), Asbury Kindergarten & Preschool (religious, grades PK–K, 95 students), St. Martin de Porres School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 46 students), Daniels Christian Schools (religious, grades K–12, 31 students) and Marnie Leads Academy (religious, grades PK–K, 2 students). Columbia also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Columbia families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Columbia → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within South Carolina. Stars are from neighbors.