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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Columbia Public Elementary Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 61 public elementary schools serving 37,293 students in Columbia, SC.
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Columbia, SC are Brockman Elementary School, Rosewood Elementary School and Satchel Ford Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia, SC public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the South Carolina public elementary school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 47% statewide average). Elementary schools in Columbia have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public elementary school average of 54% (majority Black).

Best Public Elementary Schools in Columbia, SC (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Brockman Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2245 Montclair Drive
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 790-6743
Gr: PK-5 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #22.
Rosewood Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3300 Rosewood Drive
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 343-2930
Gr: K-5 | 338 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #33.
Satchel Ford Elementary School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5901 Satchel Ford Road
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 738-7209
Gr: K-5 | 721 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #44.
Brennen Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4438 Devereaux Road
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 738-7204
Gr: PK-5 | 805 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #55.
Crayton Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
5000 Clemson Avenue
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 738-7224
Gr: 6-8 | 952 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #66.
Forest Lake Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
6801 Brookfield Road
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 782-0470
Gr: PK-5 | 652 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #77.
Harbison West Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
257 Crossbow Drive
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 476-3800
Gr: PK-5 | 510 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #88.
North Springs Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1300 Clemson Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 736-3183
Gr: PK-5 | 659 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #99.
L. B. Nelson Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
225 North Brickyard Road
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8730
Gr: PK-5 | 541 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #1010.
Pendergrass Fairwold School
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
5935 Token Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-3435
Gr: K-12 | 46 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #1111.
Sandlapper Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1001 Longtown Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 691-4045
Gr: PK-5 | 671 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1212.
Logan Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
815 Elmwood Avenue
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 343-2915
Gr: PK-5 | 237 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1313.
Nursery Road Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
6706 Nursery Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 476-4300
Gr: PK-5 | 471 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1414.
A. C. Moore Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
333 Etiwan Avenue
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 343-2910
Gr: PK-5 | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1515.
Sc Connections Academy
Charter School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
201 Executive Center Drive Sui
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 212-4712
Gr: K-12 | 6,152 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1616.
Rice Creek Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
4751 Hard Scrabble Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-2900
Gr: PK-5 | 718 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #1717.
Leaphart Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
120 Piney Grove Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 476-4700
Gr: PK-5 | 483 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1818.
Scdjj Evaluation And Detention Center
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 60-79%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
5000 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 896-9037
Gr: 4-12 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #1919.
Meadowfield Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
525 Galway Lane
Columbia, SC 29209
(803) 738-5549
Gr: PK-5 | 615 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #2020.
Polo Road Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1250 Polo Road
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 419-2226
Gr: PK-5 | 665 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #2121.
E. L. Wright Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2740 Alpine Road
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8740
Gr: K-8 | 1,275 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #2222.
Joseph Keels Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
7500 Springcrest Drive
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8754
Gr: PK-5 | 465 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2323.
Summit Parkway Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
200 Summit Parkway
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-3580
Gr: K-8 | 1,229 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #2424.
Killian Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2621 Clemson Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-2981
Gr: PK-5 | 699 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2525.
Jackson Creek Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
7150 Trenholm Road Extension
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 790-3800
Gr: PK-5 | 551 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2626.
Hand Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2600 Wheat Street
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 343-2947
Gr: 6-8 | 755 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #2727.
Dent Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2721 Decker Boulevard
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 699-2750
Gr: 6-8 | 1,059 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #2828.
Annie Burnside Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
7300 Patterson Road
Columbia, SC 29209
(803) 783-5530
Gr: PK-5 | 306 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Bradley Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3032 Pinebelt Road
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 738-7200
Gr: PK-5 | 392 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Carver-lyon Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2100 Waverly Street
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 343-2900
Gr: PK-5 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #3131.
Irmo Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
6051 Wescott Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 476-3600
Gr: 6-8 | 992 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #3232.
Longleaf Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1160 Longreen Parkway
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 691-4870
Gr: 6-8 | 796 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #3333.
South Kilbourne Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1400 South Kilbourne Road
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 738-7215
Gr: PK-5 | 234 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #3434.
W. G. Sanders Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3455 Pine Belt Road
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 735-7575
Gr: 6-8 | 503 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #3535.
Windsor Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
9800 Dunbarton Drive
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8723
Gr: PK-5 | 579 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Show 26 more public schools in Columbia, SC (out of 61 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public elementary schools in Columbia, SC?
The top-ranked public elementary schools in Columbia, SC include Brockman Elementary School, Rosewood Elementary School and Satchel Ford Elementary School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Columbia?
61 public elementary schools are located in Columbia.
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia?
Columbia public elementary schools minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public elementary schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public elementary schools in Columbia are often viewed compared to one another?

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