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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Columbia Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 24 public high schools serving 20,679 students in Columbia, SC.
The top-ranked public high schools in Columbia, SC are Dreher High School, Spring Valley High School and Richland One Charter Middle College. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia, SC public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the South Carolina public high school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 70% (versus the 76% statewide average). High schools in Columbia have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public high schools.
Columbia, SC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 74%, which is less than the South Carolina average of 84%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Ridge View High School, with 91% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in South Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public high school average of 52% (majority Black).

Best Public High Schools in Columbia, SC (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Dreher High School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3319 Millwood Avenue
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 253-7000
Gr: 9-12 | 1,144 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #22.
Spring Valley High School
Magnet School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
120 Sparkleberry Lane
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-3500
Gr: 9-12 | 2,230 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #33.
Richland One Charter Middle College
Charter School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 80-89% )
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
316 South Beltline Boulevard R
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 738-7114
Gr: 11-12 | 106 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #44.
Ridge View High School
Magnet School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4801 Hard Scrabble Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-2999
Gr: 9-12 | 1,631 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #55.
A. C. Flora High School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1 Falcon Drive
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 738-7300
Gr: 9-12 | 1,328 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #66.
Richland Northeast High School
Magnet School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
7500 Brookfield Road
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 699-2800
Gr: 9-12 | 1,340 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #77.
W.j. Keenan High School
Magnet School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
361 Pisgah Church Road
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 714-2500
Gr: 9-12 | 675 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #88.
Irmo High School
Magnet School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
6671 St. Andrews Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 476-5000
Gr: 9-12 | 1,272 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #99.
Sc Whitmore School
Charter School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
501 Commerce Drive Ne
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 476-6416
Gr: 9-12 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1010.
Manning High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
502 Beckman Road
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 935-7203
Gr: 9-12 | 2 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1
Rank: #1111.
Columbia High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1701 Westchester Drive
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 731-8950
Gr: 9-12 | 681 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1212.
C. A. Johnson High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
2219 Barhamville Road
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 253-7092
Gr: 9-12 | 344 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1313.
Eau Claire High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
4800 Monticello Road
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-7600
Gr: 9-12 | 542 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1414.
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: #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.
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: #1717.
Clear Dot Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
2015 Marion Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 567-3075
Gr: PK-11 | 474 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1818.
Empowerment And Enrichment Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19% )
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
5000 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 896-9114
Gr: 5-12
Rank: #1919.
The Palmetto Empowerment And Enrichment Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
5000 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-5952
Gr: 5-12
Rank: n/an/a
Broad River High School
Alternative School
4460 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2714
Gr: 9-12 | 28 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: n/an/a
Carolus Online Academy
Charter School
101 Westpark Boulevard Suite C
Columbia, SC 29210
(866) 968-7512
Gr: K-12 | 1,786 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: n/an/a
Kirkland High School
Alternative School
4344 Broad River
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2708
Gr: 9-12 | 42 students Student-teacher ratio: 42:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: n/an/a
Samuel A. Heyward Career And Technology Center
Vocational School
3560 Lynhaven Drive
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 735-3343
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Sara Babb High School
Alternative School
4450 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2714
Gr: 9-12 | 8 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 88%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public high schools in Columbia, SC?
The top-ranked public high schools in Columbia, SC include Dreher High School, Spring Valley High School and Richland One Charter Middle College.
How many public high schools are located in Columbia?
24 public high schools are located in Columbia.
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia?
Columbia public high schools minority enrollment is 66% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public high schools average of 52% (majority Black).
Which public high schools in Columbia are often viewed compared to one another?

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