Below Average
#945 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
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
1,285
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#57 of 72
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#531 of 680
In district
#27 of 32
Richland 02
About E. L. Wright Middle
E. L. Wright Middle serves 1,285 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in Columbia's large suburban community.
Despite its name suggesting a middle school focus, this regular public school actually spans the elementary years, providing a comprehensive K-8 educational experience. With 85 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1, allowing for reasonable class sizes. Academically, E.
L. Wright Middle has room for growth, with 45% of students performing at or above proficient levels in English Language Arts and 35% reaching proficiency in mathematics. The school ranks in the 33rd percentile among South Carolina schools, placing 798th out of 1,192 institutions statewide.
These results reflect opportunities for continued focus on student academic development. The school draws from a diverse suburban community in the 29223 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $52,603 and median home values reach $173,400. About 36% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 17.5%.
This mix creates a varied student population with different backgrounds and experiences. E. L.
Wright Middle sits on Alpine Road in Richland County's expansive suburban landscape, serving families throughout this well-established Columbia area community.
Score Breakdown
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E. L. Wright Middle — Students at E. L. Wright Middle score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.3%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.6/10.
How E. L. Wright Middle Compares
See how E. L. Wright Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 35% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 45% (2022).
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. Jackson Creek Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is L. B. Nelson Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Joseph Keels Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.8 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 | 4.6 |
| CARDINAL NEWMAN SCHOOL Columbia | 0.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Polo Road Elementary Columbia | 1.1 mi | 4.8 |
| L. W. Conder Elementary Columbia | 1.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Richland Northeast High Columbia | 2.0 mi | 8.7 |
| Jackson Creek Elementary Columbia | 1.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Joseph Keels Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 7.8 |
| MISSION HOPE FOUNDATION Columbia | 2.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Dent Middle Columbia | 2.2 mi | 6.9 |
| L. B. Nelson Elementary Columbia | 2.6 mi | 8.3 |
| Forest Lake Elementary Columbia | 2.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Spring Valley High Columbia | 3.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Killian Elementary Columbia | 3.8 mi | 4.1 |
| W.J. Keenan High Columbia | 3.6 mi | 6.6 |
| CUTLER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Columbia | 4.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Satchel Ford Elementary Columbia | 4.2 mi | 7.7 |
| LAKE MURRAY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 4.7 mi | — |
| Longleaf Middle Columbia | 4.7 mi | 5.6 |
| North Springs Elementary Columbia | 4.6 mi | 7.1 |
| A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia | 4.1 mi | 3.7 |
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 E. L. Wright Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Campobello-Gramling School Campobello, SC | 4.9 |
| Concrete Primary Easley, SC | 4.9 |
| Dr. Eugene Sires Elementary Summerville, SC | 4.9 |
| Ladson Elementary Ladson, SC | 5.0 |
| St. James Elementary Myrtle Beach, SC | 5.0 |
| Woodruff Primary Woodruff, SC | 5.0 |
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 is ranked #945 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is E. L. Wright Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
E. L. Wright Middle has a composite rating of 4.9 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 E. L. Wright Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, E. L. Wright Middle has 37.0% math proficiency and 47.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (803) 736-8740
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Richland 02- District Enrollment
- 28,917
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,024
- District Rank
- #27 of 32
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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