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Excellent

#5 of 192 private schools in SC

Top 2% of private schools

Cardinal Newman School

High School

2945 ALPINE RD, Columbia, SC 29223

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Cardinal Newman School compares to 33 public schools serving similar grades in Columbia, SC

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.9:1
This School
vs
14:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
495
This School
vs
860
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.4
This School
vs
6.4
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 65.7% vs 0%
Black 12.5% vs 0%
Hispanic 10.7% vs 0%
Asian 4.4% vs 0%
Cardinal Newman School Columbia Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A- 8.0 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,274
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A 9.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 54%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 495
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 65.7%
Black 12.5%
Hispanic 10.7%
Two or More 6.3%
Asian 4.4%
Pacific Islander 0.4%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,022/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2022–2023

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.

Read our full methodology

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