Average
#154 of 192 private schools in SC
Ben Lippen School
School
500 SAINT ANDREWS RD, Columbia, SC 29210
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 70 schools in Columbia. Learn more
Enrollment
964
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
964
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Columbia
#12 of 13
public schools
South Carolina schools
#86 of 116
About Ben Lippen School
Ben Lippen School is a public school serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in the Lexington area of Columbia, South Carolina. With an enrollment of 964 students and 73 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.2 to 1, providing a moderately sized learning environment where individual attention is possible. As a regular public school located in a large suburban setting, Ben Lippen serves a diverse student body across all grade levels.
The school holds a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #177 out of 192 South Carolina schools, placing it in the lower percentile for state performance. This indicates the school is an area where students and families may find room for academic growth and development. The school's location on Saint Andrews Road places it in an established suburban community, offering families a public school option within the broader Columbia metropolitan area.
What Parents Should Know
As a private school, Ben Lippen School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Ben Lippen School compares to 74 public schools serving similar grades in Columbia, SC
Student Demographics
Nearby Other Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Ben Lippen School (this school) | 5.3 |
| Seven Oaks Elementary | 4.1 |
| SC Connections Academy | 2.6 |
| Pine Grove Elementary | 5.1 |
| Leaphart Elementary | 6.0 |
| Sandel Elementary | 4.4 |
| SCDJJ Evaluation and Detention Center | 7.1 |
| Columbia High | 7.7 |
| Sara Babb High | — |
| St. Andrews Middle | 5.3 |
| Kirkland High | 7.8 |
| Broad River High | — |
| H. B. Rhame Elementary | 5.0 |
| Irmo High | 8.7 |
| Irmo Middle | 6.6 |
| CrossRoads Intermediate | 4.1 |
| Harbison West Elementary | 7.8 |
| Nursery Road Elementary | 5.3 |
| Edward E. Taylor Elementary | 5.2 |
| Heyward Gibbes Middle | 5.6 |
| Eau Claire High | 7.2 |
Showing 20 of 74 schools. View all schools in Columbia
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in SC.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in SC
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
500 SAINT ANDREWS RD, Columbia, SC 29210
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ben Lippen School may also want to explore other schools in the area. GLENFOREST SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby West Columbia), which scores notably higher. Another option is SCDJJ Evaluation and Detention Center (rated 7.1/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 5.1/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Lexington), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Seven Oaks Elementary Columbia | 0.3 mi | 4.1 |
| SC Connections Academy Columbia | 0.9 mi | 2.6 |
| Pine Grove Elementary Columbia | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Leaphart Elementary Columbia | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| River Bluff High Lexington | 1.6 mi | 8.5 |
| Sandel Elementary Columbia | 1.6 mi | 4.4 |
| SCDJJ Evaluation and Detention Center Columbia | 2.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Columbia High Columbia | 2.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Gray Collegiate Academy West Columbia | 2.8 mi | 4.3 |
| Sara Babb High Columbia | 2.7 mi | — |
| Broad River High Columbia | 2.8 mi | — |
| Kirkland High Columbia | 2.8 mi | 7.8 |
| NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lexington | 2.9 mi | 5.1 |
| St. Andrews Middle Columbia | 2.8 mi | 5.3 |
| H. B. Rhame Elementary Columbia | 2.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Irmo High Columbia | 2.9 mi | 8.7 |
| Meadow Glen Middle Lexington | 3.2 mi | 7.2 |
| GLENFOREST SCHOOL West Columbia | 3.4 mi | 7.4 |
| East Point Academy West Columbia | 3.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Irmo Middle Columbia | 3.2 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29210 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,258
Median Home Value
$183,000
Median Rent
$1,076/mo
Population
40,504
College Educated
29.8%
Homeownership
37.1%
Avg Commute
20.6 min
Poverty Rate
18.9%
Median Age
33.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ben Lippen School has a median household income of $50,258. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $183,000, with a median rent of $1,076/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.9%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Virtus Academy of South Carolina Florence, SC | 5.4 |
| WILSON HALL Sumter, SC | 5.4 |
| NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lexington, SC | 5.1 |
| BEN LIPPEN SCHOOL Columbia, SC | 5.6 |
| BOB JONES ACADEMY Greenville, SC | 4.9 |
| SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Simpsonville, SC | 5.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ben Lippen School
What grades does Ben Lippen School serve?
Ben Lippen School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Ben Lippen School?
Ben Lippen School has an enrollment of approximately 964 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ben Lippen School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ben Lippen School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Ben Lippen School rank in SC?
Ben Lippen School is ranked #154 out of 192 private schools in SC.
What is Ben Lippen School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ben Lippen School has a composite rating of 5.3 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.
Is Ben Lippen School a private school?
Yes, Ben Lippen School is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Ben Lippen School a religious school?
Ben Lippen School has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 964
- Gender Split
- 52% M / 48% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 73
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Christian, no specific denomination
- School Day
- 7.1 hours
- Days Per Year
- 178 days
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- LEXINGTON
- Phone
- (803) 807-4106
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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