For the 2024-25 school year, there are 100 public schools serving 62,841 students in Richland County, SC (there are 45 private schools, serving 7,115 private students). 90% of all K-12 students in Richland County, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
The top ranked public schools in Richland County, SC are Lake Carolina Elementary Lower Campus, Blythewood High School and Brockman Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Richland County, SC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Richland County have an average ranking of 7/10, which is in the top 50% of South Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public school average of 52% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Richland County (2024-25)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Lake Carolina Elementary Lower Campus
Magnet School
(Math: 92% | Reading: 97% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1151 Kelly Mill Road
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 714-1300
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 714-1300
Grades: PK-2
| 494 students
Rank: #22.
Blythewood High School
Magnet School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
10901 Wilson Boulevard
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-4090
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-4090
Grades: 9-12
| 2,094 students
Rank: #33.
Brockman Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
2245 Montclair Drive
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 790-6743
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 790-6743
Grades: PK-5
| 268 students
Rank: #44.
Spring Valley High School
Magnet School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 90%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
120 Sparkleberry Lane
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-3500
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-3500
Grades: 9-12
| 2,187 students
Rank: #55.
Richland One Charter Middle College
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 80-89% )
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
316 South Beltline Boulevard R
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 738-7114
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 738-7114
Grades: 11-12
| 79 students
Rank: #66.
Dreher High School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
3319 Millwood Avenue
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 253-7000
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 253-7000
Grades: 9-12
| 1,150 students
Rank: #77.
Dutch Fork High School
Magnet School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1400 Old Tamah Road
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-3300
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-3300
Grades: 9-12
| 1,726 students
Rank: #88.
Rosewood Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3300 Rosewood Drive
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 343-2930
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 343-2930
Grades: K-5
| 329 students
Rank: #99.
Midlands Middle College
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 60-79% )
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1260 Lexington Drive
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 822-7043
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 822-7043
Grades: 11-12
| 89 students
Rank: #1010.
Satchel Ford Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
5901 Satchel Ford Road
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 738-7209
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 738-7209
Grades: K-5
| 631 students
Rank: #1111.
Ridge View High School
Magnet School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4801 Hard Scrabble Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-2999
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-2999
Grades: 9-12
| 1,711 students
Rank: #1212.
W.j. Keenan High School
Magnet School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
361 Pisgah Church Road
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 714-2500
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 714-2500
Grades: 9-12
| 725 students
Rank: #1313.
Round Top Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
449 Rimer Pond Road
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-8676
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-8676
Grades: PK-5
| 673 students
Rank: #1414.
Richland Northeast High School
Magnet School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7500 Brookfield Road
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 699-2800
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 699-2800
Grades: 9-12
| 1,359 students
Rank: #1515.
Westwood High School
Magnet School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 82%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
180 Turkey Farm Road
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-4049
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-4049
Grades: 9-12
| 1,684 students
Rank: #1616.
Brennen Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
4438 Devereaux Road
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 738-7204
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 738-7204
Grades: PK-5
| 806 students
Rank: #1717.
Ballentine Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1040 Bickley Road
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-4500
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-4500
Grades: K-5
| 521 students
Rank: #1818.
Bethel-hanberry Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
125 Boney Road
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-6880
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-6880
Grades: PK-5
| 759 students
Rank: #1919.
Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus
Magnet School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1261 Kelly Mill Road
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-3360
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-3360
Grades: 3-5
| 535 students
Rank: #2020.
Oak Pointe Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1 River Bottom Road
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-4100
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-4100
Grades: PK-5
| 520 students
Rank: #2121.
A. C. Flora High School
Magnet School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1 Falcon Drive
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 738-7300
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 738-7300
Grades: 9-12
| 1,352 students
Rank: #2222.
Sc Whitmore School
Magnet School
Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
501 Commerce Drive Ne
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 476-6416
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 476-6416
Grades: 9-12
| 496 students
Rank: #2323.
Irmo Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7401 Gibbes Street
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-4200
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-4200
Grades: PK-5
| 541 students
Rank: #2424.
River Springs Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
115 Connie Wright Road
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-4400
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-4400
Grades: PK-5
| 465 students
Rank: #2525.
Langford Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
480 Langford Road
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-4091
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-4091
Grades: PK-5
| 609 students
Rank: #2626.
L. B. Nelson Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
225 North Brickyard Road
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8730
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8730
Grades: PK-5
| 567 students
Rank: #2727.
Crayton Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
5000 Clemson Avenue
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 738-7224
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 738-7224
Grades: 6-8
| 905 students
Rank: #2828.
Blythewood Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
2351 Longtown Road East
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-6850
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-6850
Grades: 6-8
| 796 students
Rank: #2929.
Forest Lake Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6801 Brookfield Road
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 782-0470
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 782-0470
Grades: PK-5
| 614 students
Rank: #3030.
Manning High School
Alternative School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
502 Beckman Road
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 935-7203
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 935-7203
Grades: 9-12
| 1 students
Rank: #3131.
Columbia High School
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1701 Westchester Drive
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 731-8950
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 731-8950
Grades: 9-12
| 665 students
Rank: #3232.
C. A. Johnson High School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2219 Barhamville Road
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 253-7092
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 253-7092
Grades: 9-12
| 364 students
Rank: #3333.
Pendergrass Fairwold School
Special Education School
Magnet School
Magnet School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5935 Token Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-3435
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-3435
Grades: PK-12
| 46 students
Rank: #3434.
North Springs Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1300 Clemson Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 736-3183
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 736-3183
Grades: PK-5
| 703 students
Rank: #3535.
Muller Road Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1031 Muller Road
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-6851
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-6851
Grades: K-8
| 1,246 students
Show 65 more public schools in Richland County, SC (out of 100 total schools)
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Richland County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Broad River Road Correctional Institution (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
4460 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2853
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2853
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
5900 Chesnut Rd
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 787-6815
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 787-6815
Grades: 2-6
| n/a students
Hall Institute (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1800 Colonial Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 898-1488
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 898-1488
Grades: K-12
| 28 students
5616 Hood Street
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 787-8266
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 787-8266
Grades: 1-3
| 166 students
3801 North Main Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 929-1140
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 929-1140
Grades: K-5
| 132 students
Kirkland High School (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
4344 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2714
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2714
Grades: 9-12
| 121 students
Midlands Math And Business Academy Charter (Closed 2014)
Charter School
2638 Two Notch Rd
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 799-5101
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 799-5101
Grades: 4-8
| 79 students
Morris Village High School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
610 Faison Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 935-7100
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 935-7100
Grades: 7-12
| 20 students
Northeast Center (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
Post Office Box 207
State Park, SC 29147
(803) 935-0116
State Park, SC 29147
(803) 935-0116
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Odyssey Online Learning School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
200 Arbor Lake Drive Suite 301
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 735-9110
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 735-9110
Grades: 9-12
| 242 students
Palmetto State E-cademy High School (Closed 2015)
Charter School
115 Atrium Way Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 227-6670
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 227-6670
Grades: 9-12
| 310 students
Pierce Terrace Elementary School (Closed 2023)
Magnet School
5715 Adams Ct
Columbia, SC 29206
(808) 782-1772
Columbia, SC 29206
(808) 782-1772
Grades: PK-1
| n/a students
Renaissance Collegiate Academy (Closed 2023)
Charter School
425 Summit Terrace Court Build
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 567-5634
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 567-5634
Grades: K-3
| 91 students
Richland Two Charter High School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
7900 Brookmont Lane
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 419-1348
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 419-1348
Grades: 9-12
| 39 students
Sc Virtual Charter School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
140 Stoneridge Drive Suite 420
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 253-6222
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 253-6222
Grades: K-12
| 3,503 students
South Carolina Calvert Academy (Closed 2018)
Charter School
3700 Forrest Drive Suite 406
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 462-0254
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 462-0254
Grades: K-8
| 226 students
South Carolina Science Academy (Closed 2023)
Charter School
2015 Marion Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 227-6422
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 227-6422
Grades: 6-11
| 140 students
South Carolina Whitmore School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
501 Commerce Drive
Columbia, SC 29223
(866) 476-6416
Columbia, SC 29223
(866) 476-6416
Grades: 9-12
| 449 students
Stevenson Correctional Institution (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
4546 Broad River Rd
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-1873
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-1873
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Walden (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
4340 Broad River Rd
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-8580
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-8580
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Richland County, SC?
The top ranked public schools in Richland County, SC include Lake Carolina Elementary Lower Campus, Blythewood High School and Brockman Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Richland County?
100 public schools are located in Richland County.
What percentage of students in Richland County go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Richland County are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in Richland County?
Richland County public schools minority enrollment is 74% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public schools average of 52% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Richland County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Richland County include: W. A. Perry Middle School vs. W. G. Sanders Middle School, Westwood High School vs. Blythewood High School, Southeast Middle School vs. Hopkins Middle School
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