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#702 of 1,176 schools in SC

E. L. Wright Middle

Elementary School · Richland 02

2740 Alpine Road, Columbia, SC 29223

Enrollment

1,285

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

5.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina schools

#702 of 1,176

In Columbia

#35 of 72

public schools

In district

#23 of 32

Richland 02

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E. L. Wright Middle

5.9/10

Elementary School in Columbia · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Windsor Elementary

6.1/10

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

Cardinal Newman School

8.4/10

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

About E. L. Wright Middle

E. L. Wright Middle is a public elementary school in Columbia, SC, part of Richland 02.

E. L. Wright Middle serves approximately 1,285 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio.

E. L. Wright Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #702 of 1,176 schools in SC.

Structured state assessment records for E. L. Wright Middle show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.7 pts below district
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • District avg 6.6
  • SC avg 6.1

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.05 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency40% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)55% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-15.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
Resources & Environment5.9Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,024
Chronic Absenteeism21.9%

E. L. Wright Middle — Students at E. L. Wright Middle score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 49.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 54.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
76%
ELA
81%
2010
Math
69%
ELA
69%
2011
Math
67%
ELA
70%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
70%
2013
Math
68%
ELA
70%
2014
Math
43%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
35%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
39%
ELA
40%
2017
Math
40%
ELA
40%
2018
Math
43%
ELA
49%
2019
Math
43%
ELA
49%
2020*
Math
33%
ELA
48%
2021*
Math
33%
ELA
48%
2022
Math
35%
ELA
45%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How E. L. Wright Middle Compares

See how E. L. Wright Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
40th percentile in SC
Academic
4.9/10
Below Average
Growth
6.6/10
Average
Environment
5.9/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
85 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

2740 Alpine Road, Columbia, SC 29223

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering E. L. Wright Middle may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Satchel Ford Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jackson Creek Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Forest Lake Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Windsor Elementary Columbia 0.5 mi 6.1
CARDINAL NEWMAN SCHOOL Columbia 0.6 mi 8.4
Polo Road Elementary Columbia 1.1 mi 4.7
L. W. Conder Elementary Columbia 1.4 mi 4.3
Richland Northeast High Columbia 2.0 mi 7.8
Jackson Creek Elementary Columbia 1.9 mi 8.5
Joseph Keels Elementary Columbia 1.8 mi 6.3
MISSION HOPE FOUNDATION Columbia 2.1 mi 7.0
Dent Middle Columbia 2.2 mi 6.5
L. B. Nelson Elementary Columbia 2.6 mi 7.1
Forest Lake Elementary Columbia 2.6 mi 7.4
Spring Valley High Columbia 3.1 mi 7.3
Killian Elementary Columbia 3.8 mi 5.6
W.J. Keenan High Columbia 3.6 mi 7.5
CUTLER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Columbia 4.1 mi 7.0
Satchel Ford Elementary Columbia 4.2 mi 8.6
LAKE MURRAY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia 4.7 mi
Longleaf Middle Columbia 4.7 mi 5.9
North Springs Elementary Columbia 4.6 mi 6.1
A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia 4.1 mi 3.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Foxbank Elementary Moncks Corner, SC 6.0
Robert E. Cashion Elementary Greenville, SC 6.0
Cane Bay Elementary Summerville, SC 6.1
Goose Creek Elementary Goose Creek, SC 5.7
Joseph R. Pye Elementary Ladson, SC 6.2
Chandler Creek Elementary Greer, SC 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about E. L. Wright Middle

What grades does E. L. Wright Middle serve?

E. L. Wright Middle serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend E. L. Wright Middle?

E. L. Wright Middle has an enrollment of approximately 1,285 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at E. L. Wright Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at E. L. Wright Middle 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 E. L. Wright Middle rank in SC?

E. L. Wright Middle ranks #702 of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is E. L. Wright Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

E. L. Wright Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 E. L. Wright Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, E. L. Wright Middle has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is E. L. Wright Middle a charter school?

No, E. L. Wright Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is E. L. Wright Middle a Title I school?

No, E. L. Wright Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for E. L. Wright Middle?

58.3% of students at E. L. Wright Middle 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
19 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
1,285
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
85
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Richland County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.9%

District

Richland 02
District Enrollment
28,917
Schools in District
32
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,024
District Rank
#23 of 32

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