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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Columbia Public Middle Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 20 public middle schools serving 18,232 students in Columbia, SC.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Columbia, SC are Crayton Middle School, Pendergrass Fairwold School and Sc Connections Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia, SC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 27% (versus the South Carolina public middle school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in Columbia have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of South Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public middle school average of 52% (majority Black).

Best Public Middle Schools in Columbia, SC (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
St. Andrews Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1231 Bluefield Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 731-8910
Gr: 6-8 | 627 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1414.
W. A. Perry Middle School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2600 Barhamville Road
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 256-6347
Gr: 6-8 | 320 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1515.
Heyward Gibbes Middle School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
500 Summerlea Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 343-2942
Gr: 6-8 | 252 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1616.
Palmetto Achievement Center For Excellence Academy
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
6015 N Main Street
Columbia, SC 29224
(803) 900-0664
Gr: 2-8 | 216 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #1717.
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: #1818.
Alcorn Middle School
(Math: 4% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
5125 Fairfield Road
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-3439
Gr: 6-8 | 381 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
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
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Columbia, SC?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Columbia, SC include Crayton Middle School, Pendergrass Fairwold School and Sc Connections Academy.
How many public middle schools are located in Columbia?
20 public middle schools are located in Columbia.
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia?
Columbia public middle schools minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public middle schools average of 52% (majority Black).
Which public middle schools in Columbia are often viewed compared to one another?

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