For the 2025 school year, there are 25 public middle schools serving 20,389 students in Richland County, SC.
The top ranked public middle schools in Richland County, SC are Crayton Middle School, Blythewood Middle School and Pendergrass Fairwold School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Richland County, SC public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 29% (versus the South Carolina public middle school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 46% statewide average). Middle schools in Richland County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of South Carolina public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 67% 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 Richland County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Crayton Middle 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
| 924 students
Rank: #22.
Blythewood Middle 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
| 843 students
Rank: #33.
Pendergrass Fairwold School
Special Education 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
| 56 students
Rank: #44.
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
| 1,289 students
Rank: #55.
Dutch Fork Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1528 Old Tamah Road
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-4800
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 476-4800
Grades: 7-8
| 908 students
Rank: #66.
Sc Connections Academy
Charter School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
201 Executive Center Drive Sui
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 212-4712
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 212-4712
Grades: K-12
| 5,955 students
Rank: #77.
Green Charter School Midlands
Charter School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
7820 Broad River Road
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 563-5387
Irmo, SC 29063
(803) 563-5387
Grades: K-8
| 264 students
Rank: #88.
E. L. Wright Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2740 Alpine Road
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8740
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8740
Grades: K-8
| 1,285 students
Rank: #99.
Hand Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2600 Wheat Street
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 343-2947
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 343-2947
Grades: 6-8
| 700 students
Rank: #1010.
Summit Parkway Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
200 Summit Parkway
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-3580
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-3580
Grades: K-8
| 1,176 students
Rank: #1111.
Kelly Mill Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1141 Kelly Mill Road
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-7210
Blythewood, SC 29016
(803) 691-7210
Grades: 2-8
| 1,023 students
Rank: #1212.
Dent Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2721 Decker Boulevard
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 699-2750
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 699-2750
Grades: 6-8
| 1,035 students
Rank: #1313.
Longleaf Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1160 Longreen Parkway
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 691-4870
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 691-4870
Grades: 6-8
| 800 students
Rank: #1414.
W. G. Sanders Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3455 Pine Belt Road
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 735-7575
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 735-7575
Grades: 6-8
| 524 students
Rank: #1515.
Clear Dot Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2015 Marion Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 567-3075
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 567-3075
Grades: PK-10
| 418 students
Rank: #1616.
Hopkins Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1601 Clarkson Road
Hopkins, SC 29061
(803) 695-3331
Hopkins, SC 29061
(803) 695-3331
Grades: 6-8
| 463 students
Rank: #1717.
Southeast Middle School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
731 Horrell Hill Road
Hopkins, SC 29061
(803) 695-5700
Hopkins, SC 29061
(803) 695-5700
Grades: 6-8
| 469 students
Rank: #1818.
St. Andrews Middle School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1231 Bluefield Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 731-8910
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 731-8910
Grades: 6-8
| 700 students
Rank: #1919.
W. A. Perry Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 22%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2600 Barhamville Road
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 256-6347
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 256-6347
Grades: 6-8
| 310 students
Rank: #2020.
Palmetto Achievement Center For Excellence Academy
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
6015 N Main Street
Columbia, SC 29224
(803) 900-0664
Columbia, SC 29224
(803) 900-0664
Grades: 2-8
| 198 students
Rank: #2121.
Alcorn Middle School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
5125 Fairfield Road
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-3439
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-3439
Grades: 6-8
| 384 students
Rank: #2222.
Heyward Gibbes Middle School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 17%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
500 Summerlea Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 343-2942
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 343-2942
Grades: 6-8
| 263 students
Rank: #2323.
The Palmetto Empowerment And Enrichment Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
5000 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-5952
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-5952
Grades: 5-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Carolus Online Academy
Charter School
1812 Barnwell Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(866) 968-7512
Columbia, SC 29201
(866) 968-7512
Grades: K-8
| 402 students
Rank: n/an/a
220 Stoneridge Drive Suite 403
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 212-4712
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 212-4712
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
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 Arts Conservatory (Closed 2023)
Charter School
3806 North Main Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 630-1622
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 630-1622
Grades: 6-11
| 166 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
200 Arbor Lake Drive Suite 301
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 735-9110
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 735-9110
Grades: 9-12
| 242 students
115 Atrium Way Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 227-6670
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 227-6670
Grades: 9-12
| 310 students
5715 Adams Ct
Columbia, SC 29206
(808) 782-1772
Columbia, SC 29206
(808) 782-1772
Grades: PK-1
| n/a students
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
3700 Forrest Drive Suite 406
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 462-0254
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 462-0254
Grades: K-8
| 226 students
2015 Marion Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 227-6422
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 227-6422
Grades: 6-11
| 140 students
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 middle schools in Richland County, SC?
The top ranked public middle schools in Richland County, SC include Crayton Middle School, Blythewood Middle School and Pendergrass Fairwold School.
How many public middle schools are located in Richland County?
25 public middle schools are located in Richland County.
What is the racial composition of students in Richland County?
Richland County public middle schools minority enrollment is 67% 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 Richland County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Richland County include: W. A. Perry Middle School vs. W. G. Sanders Middle School, Southeast Middle School vs. Hopkins Middle School, W. G. Sanders Middle School vs. W. A. Perry Middle School
Recent Articles
What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.
