Average
#898 of 1,176 schools in SC
Arden Elementary
Elementary School · Richland 01
1300 Ashley Street, Columbia, SC 29203
Enrollment
227
Student-Teacher
10.8:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
227
Student-Teacher
10.8:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#52 of 72
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#505 of 680
In district
#37 of 47
Richland 01
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Arden Elementary
Arden Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Columbia, South Carolina. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Arden has an enrollment of 227 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10.8:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is in the heart of a mid-size city, providing a diverse urban environment for learning.
Arden Elementary’s academic performance shows room for growth, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1058 out of 1192 schools in South Carolina (11th percentile). On standardized tests, 17% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 20% meet proficiency standards in Math. Despite the current academic challenges, Arden Elementary continues to focus on student development and improvement.
The school is part of a vibrant community in Columbia that offers various resources and opportunities for its young learners.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Arden Elementary — Students at Arden Elementary score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.6/10.
How Arden Elementary Compares
See how Arden Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 17% (2022).
Location
1300 Ashley Street, Columbia, SC 29203
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Arden Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Carver-Lyon Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CENTER FOR LEARNING INC (rated 6.2/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Burton Pack Elementary (rated 5.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Alcorn Middle Columbia | 0.5 mi | 4.2 |
| J. P. Thomas Elementary Columbia | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy Columbia | 1.0 mi | 4.9 |
| Burton Pack Elementary Columbia | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Hyatt Park Elementary Columbia | 1.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Eau Claire High Columbia | 1.1 mi | 7.2 |
| W. A. Perry Middle Columbia | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Watkins-Nance Elementary Columbia | 1.5 mi | 3.7 |
| DANIELS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Columbia | 1.5 mi | — |
| Pendergrass Fairwold School Columbia | 1.3 mi | 8.6 |
| C. A. Johnson High Columbia | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
| SC Whitmore School Columbia | 1.6 mi | 3.4 |
| V.V.REID SCHOOL Columbia | 1.7 mi | — |
| V.V. REID SCHOOL, LLC Columbia | 1.7 mi | — |
| CENTER FOR LEARNING INC Columbia | 1.8 mi | 6.2 |
| SONLIGHT HERITAGE ACADEMY Columbia | 1.8 mi | — |
| Carver-Lyon Elementary Columbia | 2.1 mi | 8.3 |
| W. G. Sanders Middle Columbia | 1.9 mi | 6.4 |
| A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia | 2.0 mi | 3.7 |
| Heyward Gibbes Middle Columbia | 2.1 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29203 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$42,371
Median Home Value
$121,600
Median Rent
$1,041/mo
Population
40,811
College Educated
21.9%
Homeownership
47.9%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
28.3%
Median Age
34.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Arden Elementary has a median household income of $42,371. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $121,600, with a median rent of $1,041/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| J. P. Thomas Elementary Columbia, SC | 5.1 |
| Bennettsville Intermediate Bennettsville, SC | 5.0 |
| Coastal Montessori Charter Pawleys Island, SC | 5.0 |
| Edward E. Taylor Elementary Columbia, SC | 5.2 |
| Corinth Elementary Gaffney, SC | 5.3 |
| Lower Lee Elementary Mayesville, SC | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Arden Elementary
What grades does Arden Elementary serve?
Arden Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Arden Elementary?
Arden Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 227 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Arden Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Arden Elementary is 10.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Arden Elementary rank in SC?
Arden Elementary is ranked #898 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Arden Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Arden Elementary has a composite rating of 5.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Arden Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Arden Elementary has 20.3% math proficiency and 17.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Arden Elementary a charter school?
No, Arden Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Arden Elementary a Title I school?
No, Arden Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Arden Elementary?
100.0% of students at Arden Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,022/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 227
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Richland County
- Phone
- (803) 735-3400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Richland 01- District Enrollment
- 22,123
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,992
- District Rank
- #37 of 47
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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