Very Good
#208 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 18% in state
Columbia High
High School · Richland 01
1701 Westchester Drive, Columbia, SC 29210
Enrollment
693
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
7.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
693
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
7.7
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#16 of 72
public schools
South Carolina high schools
#66 of 216
In district
#11 of 47
Richland 01
Academic growth
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Columbia High
Columbia High is a regular public high school located in the suburbs of Columbia, South Carolina. With an enrollment of 693 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1, it offers a supportive learning environment with 46 full-time equivalent teachers. The school covers grades 9 through 12 and is situated in a large suburban area.
Columbia High's academic performance reflects areas for growth, with state rankings placing it at number 315 out of 1192 schools in South Carolina, corresponding to the 74th percentile overall. In English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, 60% of students are proficient or above, while in math, only 29% are proficient or above. These figures highlight areas where the school is focusing on student development.
Columbia High serves a diverse community within its large suburban setting, providing opportunities for students to engage with their peers and the broader neighborhood.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Columbia High — Students at Columbia High score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 9.5/10.
How Columbia High Compares
See how Columbia High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 67% (2022).
Location
1701 Westchester Drive, Columbia, SC 29210
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Columbia High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Kirkland High (rated 7.8/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Eau Claire High (rated 7.2/10, 2.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 4.4 |
| St. Andrews Middle Columbia | 1.6 mi | 5.3 |
| H. B. Rhame Elementary Columbia | 1.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Broad River High Columbia | 1.7 mi | — |
| Kirkland High Columbia | 1.7 mi | 7.8 |
| MONTESSORI EARLY LEARNING CENTER Columbia | 1.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Pine Grove Elementary Columbia | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Sara Babb High Columbia | 1.9 mi | — |
| SC Connections Academy Columbia | 1.9 mi | 2.6 |
| 1955 Columbia | 2.1 mi | 6.7 |
| BEN LIPPEN SCHOOL Columbia | 2.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Seven Oaks Elementary Columbia | 2.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Edward E. Taylor Elementary Columbia | 2.1 mi | 5.2 |
| SCDJJ Evaluation and Detention Center Columbia | 2.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Heyward Gibbes Middle Columbia | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| BEN LIPPEN SCHOOL Columbia | 2.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Riverbank Elementary West Columbia | 3.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Northside Middle West Columbia | 3.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Saluda River Academy for the Arts West Columbia | 3.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Eau Claire High Columbia | 2.9 mi | 7.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Columbia High has a median household income of $50,258. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $183,000, with a median rent of $1,076/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.9%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Lake City High Lake City, SC | 7.7 |
| North Charleston High North Charleston, SC | 7.7 |
| Pendleton High Anderson, SC | 7.7 |
| Lake Marion High School Santee, SC | 7.8 |
| St. Johns High Johns Island, SC | 7.8 |
| Abbeville High Abbeville, SC | 7.6 |
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 is ranked #208 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Columbia High's MySchoolScout rating?
Columbia High has a composite rating of 7.7 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.
What are the test scores at Columbia High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Columbia High has 28.7% math proficiency and 60.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (803) 731-8950
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Richland 01- District Enrollment
- 22,123
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,992
- District Rank
- #11 of 47
Other Schools in This District
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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