Skip to main content

Very Good

#386 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 33% in state

Columbia High

High School · Richland 01

1701 Westchester Drive, Columbia, SC 29210

Enrollment

693

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

7.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina schools

#386 of 1,176

In Columbia

#19 of 72

public schools

In district

#12 of 47

Richland 01

Academic growth

9.1 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Columbia High?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Columbia High

7.1/10

High School in Columbia · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Sandel Elementary

4.7/10

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

St. Andrews Middle

3.2/10

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

About Columbia High

Columbia High is a public high school in Columbia, SC, part of Richland 01. Columbia High serves approximately 693 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbia High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #386 of 1,176 schools in SC.

Structured state assessment records for Columbia High show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 7.1 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.5
  • SC avg 7.3

What Parents Should Know

60% of students at Columbia High were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+0.48 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.0Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency67% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency52% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+15.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
College Readiness7.2Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation10.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,992
Chronic Absenteeism59.6%

Columbia High — Students at Columbia High score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 37.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2011
Math
41%
ELA
30%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
25%
ELA
50%
2014
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
67%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.1/10.

How Columbia High Compares

See how Columbia High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
67th percentile in SC
Academic
8.0/10
Excellent
Growth
9.1/10
Excellent
Environment
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.6
Sports
17
9 boys' · 8 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
46 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
59.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
10.5% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics17sports offered
9 boys'·8 girls'·21 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1701 Westchester Drive, Columbia, SC 29210

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbia High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Eau Claire High (rated 6.7/10, 2.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Kirkland High (rated 5.4/10, 1.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Sandel Elementary Columbia 0.7 mi 4.7
St. Andrews Middle Columbia 1.6 mi 3.2
H. B. Rhame Elementary Columbia 1.7 mi 4.6
Broad River High Columbia 1.7 mi
Kirkland High Columbia 1.7 mi 5.4
MONTESSORI EARLY LEARNING CENTER Columbia 1.7 mi 4.9
Pine Grove Elementary Columbia 1.5 mi 3.7
Sara Babb High Columbia 1.9 mi
SC Connections Academy Columbia 1.9 mi 3.9
1955 Columbia 2.1 mi 6.7
BEN LIPPEN SCHOOL Columbia 2.2 mi 5.6
Seven Oaks Elementary Columbia 2.0 mi 3.8
Edward E. Taylor Elementary Columbia 2.1 mi 3.5
SCDJJ Evaluation and Detention Center Columbia 2.3 mi 5.4
Heyward Gibbes Middle Columbia 2.3 mi 4.5
BEN LIPPEN SCHOOL Columbia 2.3 mi 5.3
Riverbank Elementary West Columbia 3.2 mi 7.9
Northside Middle West Columbia 3.3 mi 4.2
Saluda River Academy for the Arts West Columbia 3.4 mi 6.4
Eau Claire High Columbia 2.9 mi 6.7

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Clinton High Clinton, SC 7.1
Gray Collegiate Academy West Columbia, SC 7.1
McBee High Mcbee, SC 7.1
St. Johns High Johns Island, SC 7.1
Charleston Charter School for Math and Science Charleston, SC 7.0
Woodruff High Woodruff, SC 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbia High

What grades does Columbia High serve?

Columbia High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Columbia High?

Columbia High has an enrollment of approximately 693 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbia High?

The student-teacher ratio at Columbia High is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbia High rank in SC?

Columbia High ranks #386 of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Columbia High's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbia High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Columbia High?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbia High has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Columbia High a charter school?

No, Columbia High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Columbia High a Title I school?

No, Columbia High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Columbia High?

100.0% of students at Columbia High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
16 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
693
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
46
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Richland County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
59.6%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

Richland 01
District Enrollment
22,123
Schools in District
48
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,992
District Rank
#12 of 47

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.