Excellent
#5 of 192 private schools in SC
Top 2% of private schools
Cardinal Newman School
High School
2945 ALPINE RD, Columbia, SC 29223
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 70 schools in Columbia. Learn more
Enrollment
495
Student-Teacher
7.9:1
Score
8.4
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
495
Student-Teacher
7.9:1
Score
8.4
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Columbia
#2 of 13
public schools
South Carolina high schools
#1 of 10
About Cardinal Newman School
Cardinal Newman School serves 495 students in grades 7-12 in Columbia, South Carolina, earning recognition as the 3rd highest-ranked school out of 192 schools statewide, placing it in the 99th percentile. This regular public school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 7.9:1 with 63 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and strong student-educator relationships. The school has earned a solid MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence.
With its small class sizes and dedicated teaching staff, Cardinal Newman creates an environment where middle and high school students can receive individualized support throughout their educational journey. Located on Alpine Road in the 29223 ZIP code area, the school serves a diverse suburban community where the median household income is $52,603 and median home values average $173,400. The neighborhood has a college-educated population of 36% with bachelor's degrees or higher, demonstrating a community that values education.
Cardinal Newman School sits in a large suburban setting within Richland County, providing students with the benefits of suburban living while maintaining access to the broader Columbia metropolitan area's resources and opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.9:1, Cardinal Newman School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Cardinal Newman 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 Cardinal Newman School compares to 33 public schools serving similar grades in Columbia, SC
Student Demographics
Nearby High Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Cardinal Newman School (this school) | 8.4 |
| E. L. Wright Middle | 4.9 |
| Richland Northeast High | 8.7 |
| Dent Middle | 6.9 |
| Spring Valley High | 7.0 |
| W.J. Keenan High | 6.6 |
| SC Whitmore School | 3.4 |
| W. G. Sanders Middle | 6.4 |
| Pendergrass Fairwold School | 8.6 |
| Crayton Middle | 8.3 |
| Summit Parkway Middle | 5.4 |
| Longleaf Middle | 5.6 |
| Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy | 4.9 |
| A. C. Flora High | 9.0 |
| Ridge View High | 5.8 |
| W. A. Perry Middle | 5.7 |
| Alcorn Middle | 4.2 |
| C. A. Johnson High | 5.2 |
| Dreher High | 8.5 |
| Richland One Charter Middle College | 5.3 |
| Eau Claire High | 7.2 |
Showing 20 of 33 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
2945 ALPINE RD, Columbia, SC 29223
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cardinal Newman School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Richland Northeast High (rated 8.7/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Spring Valley High (rated 7.0/10, 3.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, W.J. Keenan High (rated 6.6/10, 4.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| E. L. Wright Middle Columbia | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Polo Road Elementary Columbia | 0.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Windsor Elementary Columbia | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| L. W. Conder Elementary Columbia | 1.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Richland Northeast High Columbia | 1.7 mi | 8.7 |
| MISSION HOPE FOUNDATION Columbia | 1.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Jackson Creek Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Joseph Keels Elementary Columbia | 2.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Dent Middle Columbia | 2.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Forest Lake Elementary Columbia | 2.4 mi | 6.8 |
| L. B. Nelson Elementary Columbia | 2.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Spring Valley High Columbia | 3.2 mi | 7.0 |
| CUTLER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Columbia | 3.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Killian Elementary Columbia | 4.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Satchel Ford Elementary Columbia | 4.1 mi | 7.7 |
| W.J. Keenan High Columbia | 4.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Brockman Elementary Columbia | 4.6 mi | 8.4 |
| North Springs Elementary Columbia | 5.0 mi | 7.1 |
| A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia | 4.3 mi | 3.7 |
| LAKE MURRAY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 5.1 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29223 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,300
Median Home Value
$183,800
Median Rent
$1,217/mo
Population
52,835
College Educated
36.1%
Homeownership
57.9%
Avg Commute
24.1 min
Poverty Rate
18%
Median Age
37.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cardinal Newman School has a median household income of $56,300. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $183,800, with a median rent of $1,217/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.0%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Burke High Charleston, SC | 8.3 |
| Hannah Pamplico High Pamplico, SC | 8.5 |
| Calhoun County High St. Matthews, SC | 8.6 |
| Edisto High Cordova, SC | 8.6 |
| Greenville Technical Charter High School Greenville, SC | 8.2 |
| Ridgeland Secondary Academy of Excellence Ridgeland, SC | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cardinal Newman School
What grades does Cardinal Newman School serve?
Cardinal Newman School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Cardinal Newman School?
Cardinal Newman School has an enrollment of approximately 495 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cardinal Newman School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cardinal Newman School is 7.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Cardinal Newman School rank in SC?
Cardinal Newman School is ranked #5 out of 192 private schools in SC.
What is Cardinal Newman School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cardinal Newman School has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Cardinal Newman School a private school?
Yes, Cardinal Newman School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Cardinal Newman School a religious school?
Cardinal Newman School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 495
- Gender Split
- 20% M / 80% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 63
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Roman Catholic
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 182 days
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- RICHLAND
- Phone
- (803) 782-2814
- 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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