Columbia Schools Overview: A Guide for Parents
Columbia, South Carolina, is home to over 100,000 students enrolled across more than 25 elementary, middle, and high schools. With several school districts in the area, it provides a variety of educational options for families. Here’s what you need to know about the main public school districts in Columbia.
Kershaw County School District
This district has 19 schools and about 10,856 students. The student-teacher ratio is around 15:1. Notable schools include:
- Blaney Elementary School: Grades PK-5, total enrollment of 710, ranked No. 152 in SC.
- North Central Middle School: Grades 6-8, total enrollment of 425, ranked No. 68 in SC.
- Lugoff-Elgin High School: Grades 9-12, total enrollment of 1,744, ranked No. 91 in SC.
Lexington County School District One
With 31 schools and approximately 27,766 students, this district has a student-teacher ratio of 13:1. Key schools are:
- Lake Murray Elementary: Grades PK-5, enrollment of 836, ranked No. 63 in SC.
- Meadow Glen Middle: Grades 6-8, enrollment of 1,020, ranked No. 53 in SC.
- River Bluff High School: Grades 9-12, with 2,197 students, ranked No. 18 in SC.
Lexington County School District Two
This district operates 13 schools with about 8,641 students and a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. Here are a few highlights:
- Springdale Elementary: Grades PK-5, total enrollment of 398, ranked No. 82 in SC.
- R. H. Fulmer Middle: Grades 6-8, total enrollment of 648, ranked No. 95 in SC.
- Brookland-Cayce Senior High School: Grades 9-12, enrollment of 1,171, ranked No. 84 in SC.
Richland County School District One
Containing 48 schools and approximately 22,151 students, this district features a student-teacher ratio of 12:1:
- Rosewood Elementary: Grades PK-5, enrollment of 323, ranked No. 17 in SC.
- Crayton Middle: Grades 6-8, total enrollment of 948, ranked No. 22 in SC.
- Dreher High School: Grades 9-12, with 1,150 students, ranked No. 14 in SC.
Richland County School District Two
Finally, this district has 32 schools and approximately 28,303 students with a 14:1 student-teacher ratio:
- E. L. Wright Middle: Grades K-8, total enrollment of 1,372, ranked No. 5 in SC.
- Blythewood Middle: Grades 6-8, total enrollment of 862, ranked No. 86 in SC.
- Blythewood High School: Grades 9-12, enrollment of 2,094, ranked No. 28 in SC.
Conclusion
Choosing a school for your children in Columbia involves a lot of considerations, including school sizes, student-teacher ratios, and district rankings. By looking at these districts and their top-rated schools, families can make a more informed decision regarding education in the Columbia area.
