Average
#137 of 192 private schools in SC
Ben Lippen School
School
7401 MONTICELLO RD, Columbia, SC 29203
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 70 schools in Columbia. Learn more
Enrollment
979
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
979
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
5.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Columbia
#11 of 13
public schools
South Carolina schools
#72 of 116
About Ben Lippen School
Ben Lippen School serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade in Columbia, South Carolina. With an enrollment of 979 students and 80 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1, which provides reasonably personalized classroom instruction. Located on Monticello Road in the mid-size city of Columbia, Ben Lippen is a regular public school serving the surrounding community.
The school's MySchoolScout Rating of 6.4 out of 10 places it in the 16th percentile of South Carolina schools, ranking #162 out of 192 statewide schools. This positioning suggests the school has room for academic growth and improvement across its programs. As a public school spanning the full K-12 range, Ben Lippen provides comprehensive education from early childhood through high school completion.
The moderate class sizes supported by the student-teacher ratio allow educators to work with students across multiple grade levels and developmental stages. Parents considering Ben Lippen should evaluate what additional academic support or enrichment opportunities might complement classroom learning for their children. The school's location in Columbia offers access to community resources typical of a mid-size urban 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) | 5.6 |
| Kirkland High | 7.8 |
| Broad River High | — |
| Forest Heights Elementary | 6.7 |
| Sara Babb High | — |
| Columbia High | 7.7 |
| Eau Claire High | 7.2 |
| Carolina School for Inquiry | 7.0 |
| SCDJJ Evaluation and Detention Center | 7.1 |
| Alcorn Middle | 4.2 |
| Pine Grove Elementary | 5.1 |
| Heyward Gibbes Middle | 5.6 |
| Sandel Elementary | 4.4 |
| J. P. Thomas Elementary | 5.1 |
| Edward E. Taylor Elementary | 5.2 |
| Hyatt Park Elementary | 4.8 |
| Arden Elementary | 5.1 |
| St. Andrews Middle | 5.3 |
| Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy | 4.9 |
| H. B. Rhame Elementary | 5.0 |
| Seven Oaks Elementary | 4.1 |
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
7401 MONTICELLO RD, Columbia, SC 29203
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ben Lippen School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Kirkland High (rated 7.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Columbia High (rated 7.7/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Eau Claire High (rated 7.2/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 Columbia | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Forest Heights Elementary Columbia | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Broad River High Columbia | 1.6 mi | — |
| Kirkland High Columbia | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Sara Babb High Columbia | 1.9 mi | — |
| Columbia High Columbia | 2.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Eau Claire High Columbia | 2.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Heyward Gibbes Middle Columbia | 2.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Sandel Elementary Columbia | 2.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Edward E. Taylor Elementary Columbia | 3.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Carolina School for Inquiry Columbia | 2.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Alcorn Middle Columbia | 2.8 mi | 4.2 |
| SCDJJ Evaluation and Detention Center Columbia | 2.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Pine Grove Elementary Columbia | 2.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Hyatt Park Elementary Columbia | 3.2 mi | 4.8 |
| MONTESSORI EARLY LEARNING CENTER Columbia | 3.5 mi | 4.9 |
| St. Andrews Middle Columbia | 3.5 mi | 5.3 |
| H. B. Rhame Elementary Columbia | 3.6 mi | 5.0 |
| J. P. Thomas Elementary Columbia | 3.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Arden Elementary Columbia | 3.4 mi | 5.1 |
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 Ben Lippen School 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 |
|---|---|
| SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Simpsonville, SC | 5.7 |
| Virtus Academy of South Carolina Florence, SC | 5.4 |
| WILSON HALL Sumter, SC | 5.4 |
| BEN LIPPEN SCHOOL Columbia, SC | 5.3 |
| PORTER-GAUD SCHOOL Charleston, SC | 5.9 |
| CHRIST CHURCH EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Greenville, SC | 6.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ben Lippen School
What grades does Ben Lippen School serve?
Ben Lippen School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Ben Lippen School?
Ben Lippen School has an enrollment of approximately 979 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ben Lippen School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ben Lippen School is 12.2:1. 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 #137 out of 192 private schools in SC.
What is Ben Lippen School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ben Lippen School has a composite rating of 5.6 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
- Walk Score
- 3 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 16 Minimal Transit
- Bike Score
- 9 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (4,022/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 979
- Gender Split
- 51% M / 49% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 80
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Christian, no specific denomination
- School Day
- 7.1 hours
- Days Per Year
- 178 days
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- RICHLAND
- 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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