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#137 of 192 private schools in SC

Ben Lippen School

School

7401 MONTICELLO RD, Columbia, SC 29203

Private

Enrollment

979

Student-Teacher

12.2:1

Score

5.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Data vintage2021-22

How this school compares

South Carolina private schools

#137 of 192

In Columbia

#11 of 13

public schools

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Ben Lippen School

5.6/10

School in Columbia · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

1955

6.7/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Forest Heights Elementary

4.2/10

1.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Ben Lippen School

Ben Lippen School is a private school in Columbia, SC. Ben Lippen School serves approximately 979 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Ben Lippen School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #137 of 192 private schools in SC.

How it compares0.6 pts below SC schools
  • This school 5.6 · Average
  • SC avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Ben Lippen School is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Ben Lippen School compares to 74 public schools serving similar grades in Columbia, SC

Student-Teacher Ratio
12.2:1
This School
vs
12.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
979
This School
vs
644
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.6
This School
vs
5.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 76.8% vs 0%
Asian 10.3% vs 0%
Black 6.5% vs 0%
Hispanic 2% vs 0%
Ben Lippen School Columbia Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Ben Lippen School (this school) 5.6
Kirkland High 5.4
Broad River High
Forest Heights Elementary 4.2
Sara Babb High
Columbia High 7.1
Eau Claire High 6.7
Carolina School for Inquiry 4.2
SCDJJ Evaluation and Detention Center 5.4
Alcorn Middle 4.4
Pine Grove Elementary 3.7
Heyward Gibbes Middle 4.5
Sandel Elementary 4.7
J. P. Thomas Elementary 5.1
Edward E. Taylor Elementary 3.5
Hyatt Park Elementary 3.3
Arden Elementary 3.4
St. Andrews Middle 3.2
Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy 4.8
H. B. Rhame Elementary 4.6
Seven Oaks Elementary 3.8

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

Preliminary

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
C+ 3.5 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 12.2:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.2 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.1 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,263.8
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 8.4 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 39%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.7 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 979
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)

White 76.8%
Asian 10.3%
Black 6.5%
Two or More 4.2%
Hispanic 2.0%
Pacific Islander 0.1%

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. Columbia High (rated 7.1/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is 1955 (rated 6.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Eau Claire High (rated 6.7/10, 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 4.2
Broad River High Columbia 1.6 mi
Kirkland High Columbia 1.6 mi 5.4
Sara Babb High Columbia 1.9 mi
Columbia High Columbia 2.2 mi 7.1
Eau Claire High Columbia 2.6 mi 6.7
Heyward Gibbes Middle Columbia 2.9 mi 4.5
Sandel Elementary Columbia 2.9 mi 4.7
Edward E. Taylor Elementary Columbia 3.2 mi 3.5
Carolina School for Inquiry Columbia 2.7 mi 4.2
Alcorn Middle Columbia 2.8 mi 4.4
SCDJJ Evaluation and Detention Center Columbia 2.7 mi 5.4
Pine Grove Elementary Columbia 2.9 mi 3.7
Hyatt Park Elementary Columbia 3.2 mi 3.3
MONTESSORI EARLY LEARNING CENTER Columbia 3.5 mi 4.9
St. Andrews Middle Columbia 3.5 mi 3.2
H. B. Rhame Elementary Columbia 3.6 mi 4.6
J. P. Thomas Elementary Columbia 3.1 mi 5.1
Arden Elementary Columbia 3.4 mi 3.4

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Riverwalk Academy Rock Hill, SC 5.7
SOUTHSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Simpsonville, SC 5.7
WILSON HALL Sumter, SC 5.4
BEN LIPPEN SCHOOL Columbia, SC 5.3
PORTER-GAUD SCHOOL Charleston, SC 5.9
Virtus Academy of South Carolina Florence, SC 5.9

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 ranks #137 of 192 private schools in SC.

What is Ben Lippen School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ben Lippen School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
16 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
9 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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 County

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