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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Richland County Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 25 public high schools serving 24,193 students in Richland County, SC.
The top-ranked public high schools in Richland County, SC are Blythewood High School, Dreher High School and Dutch Fork High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Richland County, SC public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 41% (versus the South Carolina public high school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 72% (versus the 76% statewide average). High schools in Richland County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public high schools.
Richland County, SC public high school have a Graduation Rate of 77%, which is less than the South Carolina average of 84%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Blythewood High School, with 92% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in South Carolina or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 68% 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 Richland County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Blythewood High School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
10901 Wilson Boulevard
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-4090
Gr: 9-12 | 2,164 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #22.
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: #33.
Dutch Fork High School
Magnet School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1400 Old Tamah Road
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-3300
Gr: 9-12 | 1,703 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
Westwood High School
Magnet School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
180 Turkey Farm Road
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-4049
Gr: 9-12 | 1,743 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #99.
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: #1010.
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: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #1414.
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: #1515.
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: #1616.
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: #1717.
Lower Richland High School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2615 Lower Richland Boulevard
Hopkins, SC 29061
(803) 695-3000
Gr: 9-12 | 1,218 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1818.
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: #1919.
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: #2020.
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 Richland County, SC?
The top-ranked public high schools in Richland County, SC include Blythewood High School, Dreher High School and Dutch Fork High School.
How many public high schools are located in Richland County?
26 public high schools are located in Richland County.
What is the racial composition of students in Richland County?
Richland County public high schools minority enrollment is 68% 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 Richland County are often viewed compared to one another?

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