Average
#702 of 1,176 schools in SC
E. L. Wright Middle
Elementary School · Richland 02 · Columbia, SC
A Richland 02 elementary school where students score 15 points below what's typical for similar communities.
2740 Alpine Road, Columbia, SC 29223
- Math 35% proficient (2022)
- Reading 45% proficient (2022)
- 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at E. L. Wright Middle score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. SC average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 6 points since 2019, to 40% in 2022, across a 14-year record (2009–2022).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 49% (multi-year average, 2009-2022) · reading/ELA 55% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from SC state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
58.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
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 rateThe neighborhood
Where E. L. Wright Middle sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 19Car-Dependent
- Bike 30Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High4,022/100K
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Columbia), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$56,300
Median home value
$183,800
Median rent
$1,217/mo
College educated
36.1%
Homeownership
57.9%
Poverty rate
18%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 29223; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windsor ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 6.1 | PK–5 | 0.5 mi | 529 | Compare → |
| Polo Road ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 4.7 | PK–5 | 1.1 mi | 659 | Compare → |
| L. W. Conder ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 4.3 | PK–5 | 1.4 mi | 472 | Compare → |
| Catawba Trail ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 7.7 | PK–5 | Not available | 666 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Richland 02
- Schools in district
- 32
- Rank in district
- #23 of 32
- District spending per student
- $14,024NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 15.0%Census SAIPE · 2024
E. L. Wright Middle is listed in Richland 02; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About E. L. Wright Middle
E. L. Wright Middle is a public elementary school in Columbia, SC, part of Richland 02, serving approximately 1,285 students in grades Kindergarten-8th with a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio.
It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #702 of 1,176 schools in SC. State assessment records show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,285
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 85
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Richland County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 21.9%
- Phone
- (803) 736-8740
- Area population (ZIP 29223)
- 52,835
- Area average commute
- 24.1 min
- Area median age
- 37.2
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 29223; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24
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