Columbia High School

1701 Westchester Drive
Columbia, SC 29210
(School attendance zone shown in map)
7/
10
Top 50%
Serving 665 students in grades 9-12, Columbia High School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in South Carolina for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 35-39% (which is lower than the South Carolina state average of 41%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 65-69% (which is higher than the South Carolina state average of 52%).
The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is equal to the South Carolina state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 96% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the South Carolina state average of 52% (majority Black).

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 665 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 96%
  • : 75-79% (Btm 50% in SC)
  • : Top 50%
  • : 35-39% (Btm 50%)
  • : 65-69% (Top 30%)
  • : 25% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SC Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Columbia High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in South Carolina for:

Category
Attribute
Most improved public schools

School Overview

Columbia High School's student population of 665 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 49 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(offers virtual instruction)
Total Students
665 students
This chart displays total students of Columbia High School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Gender %
This chart displays gender of Columbia High School
Total Classroom Teachers
49 teachers
This chart displays the total teachers of Columbia High School by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Columbia High School by grade.

School Rankings

Columbia High School ranks within the top 50% of all 1,154 schools in South Carolina (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Columbia High School is 0.27, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.66. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (SC)
#459 out of 1154 schools
(Top 50%)
This chart displays the overall school rank of Columbia High School, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
35-39%
41%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of Columbia High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Math of public schools in South Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
65-69%
52%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of Columbia High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Reading/Language Arts of South Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
25%
50%
This chart displays the percentage of students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of Columbia High School and the percentage of public school students that scored at or above 'proficient' levels in Science of public schools in South Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
This chart displays the student teacher ratio of Columbia High School and the public school average student teacher ratio of South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
1%
2%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Columbia High School and the percentage of Asian public school students in South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hispanic
5%
13%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Columbia High School and the percentage of Hispanic public school students in South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Black
85%
31%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Columbia High School and the percentage of Black public school students in South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
White
4%
48%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Columbia High School and the percentage of White public school students in South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
5%
6%
This chart displays the percentage of students of two or more races in Columbia High School and the percentage of public school students of two or more races in South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
All Ethnic Groups
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Columbia High School.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of public school students of all ethnic groups in South Carolina.
0.27
This chart displays the diversity score of Columbia High School and the public school average diversity score of South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
75-79%
84%
This chart displays graduation rate of Columbia High School and public school graduation rate of South Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
100%
67%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for free lunch in Columbia High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for free lunch in South Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (14-15)
3%
6%
This chart displays the percentage of students who is eligible for reduced lunch in Columbia High School and the percentage of public school students who is eligible for reduced lunch in South Carolina by year, with the latest 2014-15 school year data.
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SC Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Columbia High School's ranking?
Columbia High School is ranked #459 out of 1,154 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in South Carolina.
What schools are Columbia High School often compared to?
Columbia High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Eau Claire High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
35-39% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 41% SC state average), while 65-69% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 52% SC state average).
What is the graduation rate of Columbia High School?
The graduation rate of Columbia High School is 75-79%, which is lower than the South Carolina state average of 84%.
How many students attend Columbia High School?
665 students attend Columbia High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
85% of Columbia High School students are Black, 5% of students are Hispanic, 5% of students are Two or more races, 4% of students are White, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Columbia High School?
Columbia High School has a student ration of 14:1, which is equal to the South Carolina state average of 14:1.
What grades does Columbia High School offer ?
Columbia High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (offers virtual instruction).
What school district is Columbia High School part of?
Columbia High School is part of Richland 01 School District.

School Reviews

5   11/15/2010
Columbia High School is an excellent school, providing a first rate education for the students. The faculty is highly qualified. The classrooms, science labs,and offices have been renovated and state-of-the-art facilities have been built for the fine arts programs. Also, there is a new cafeteria, as well as additional gymnasiums and outdoor sports facilities. Students who are interested in obtaining a quality education are proud of Columbia High School. A re-dedication service is scheduled for December 5, 2010.
- Posted by Parent - dansb
2   10/25/2006
The quality of the academic programs could be a lot better. Teachers are not supported, and are not good enough for the student body. There are a real good selection of classes, but the classes must be taught outher than focusing on other conversations. The band program in my personal oppinion vs. other schools is nothing. Arts, sports, and other extracurricular activities don't seem to be taken seriously. Kids dont want to particapte because for one teachers don't recomend them. Also they are just looked down on because the kids see them as not so important. The school seems dark and dungy. Mold grows on the cellings of the class rooms. The smell of weed lengers through out the school, because of children smokeing. Its basicly just run down. Gang symbols are written on the walls, and then when covered up, its by spray paint. It's not a school to be proud of. Parents arent that involved in there childrens education, if anything they dont care if they come to school. In other districts you here how parents are always involved. But at this school, very rarely will you see a parent comeing to a PTA meeting if there even is a PTA.
- Posted by Student/Alumni - dixie

Review Columbia High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:

  • Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
  • Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Rate this school:

Recent Articles

College Application Requirement for High School Graduation? DC Weighs Possibility
College Application Requirement for High School Graduation? DC Weighs Possibility
The article discusses a proposal in Washington D.C. to make college applications a requirement for high school graduation. It examines the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a policy, including its impact on graduation rates and college attendance. The piece also considers similar initiatives in other states and the debate surrounding this approach
Bribing Students to Get Good Grades: The Debate
Bribing Students to Get Good Grades: The Debate
This piece explores the controversial practice of offering monetary rewards to students for good grades. It examines studies conducted in various cities, discussing the effectiveness of such programs and the ethical concerns they raise. The article presents arguments from both supporters and critics of this approach to student motivation.
Understanding Rubrics
September 27, 2024
Understanding Rubrics
This article explores the fundamental principles of rubrics in education, focusing on their role as assessment tools. It breaks down the key components of rubrics, including criteria, performance levels, and descriptors. The piece also delves into the two main types of rubrics - holistic and analytic - providing authoritative definitions and explaining their unique applications in educational settings.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 9-12
  • Enrollment: 665 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 14:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 96%
  • : 75-79% (Btm 50%)
  • : Top 50%
  • : 35-39% (Btm 50%)
  • : 65-69% (Top 30%)
  • : 25% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), SC Dept. of Education

Quick Links