Average
#489 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 42% in state
Forest Heights Elementary
Elementary School · Richland 01
2500 Blue Ridge Terrace, Columbia, SC 29203
Enrollment
433
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
433
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#27 of 72
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#287 of 680
In district
#17 of 47
Richland 01
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Forest Heights Elementary
Forest Heights Elementary is a regular public school in Columbia, South Carolina, nestled in a rural area near the town. The school serves students from pre-K through fifth grade and currently has an enrollment of 433 students with a supportive student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1. With 36 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Forest Heights provides individualized attention to help each child grow and develop.
While the academic performance data shows room for improvement—only 19% proficiency in ELA/Reading and 17% proficiency in Math across all grades—the school continues to focus on student development. With a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranking at #913 out of 1,192 schools in South Carolina (24th percentile), the community and educators are working together to enhance educational outcomes for all students. Forest Heights Elementary is part of Richland County and offers a warm, nurturing environment where young learners can thrive.
Located near Blue Ridge Terrace, it’s situated in an area that provides a close-knit, supportive setting for its diverse student body.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Forest Heights Elementary are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Forest Heights Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Forest Heights Elementary — Students at Forest Heights Elementary score 22% proficient, which is below 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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.6/10.
How Forest Heights Elementary Compares
See how Forest Heights Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 18% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 23% (2019) to 22% (2022).
Location
2500 Blue Ridge Terrace, Columbia, SC 29203
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Forest Heights Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Carolina School for Inquiry (rated 7.0/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is 1955 (rated 6.7/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Burton Pack Elementary (rated 5.4/10, 4.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Carolina School for Inquiry Columbia | 1.4 mi | 7.0 |
| BEN LIPPEN SCHOOL Columbia | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
| 1955 Columbia | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
| J. P. Thomas Elementary Columbia | 2.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Alcorn Middle Columbia | 3.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Eau Claire High Columbia | 3.2 mi | 7.2 |
| Broad River High Columbia | 3.0 mi | — |
| Kirkland High Columbia | 3.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy Columbia | 3.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Arden Elementary Columbia | 3.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Sara Babb High Columbia | 3.2 mi | — |
| Hyatt Park Elementary Columbia | 3.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Heyward Gibbes Middle Columbia | 3.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Columbia High Columbia | 3.8 mi | 7.7 |
| V.V.REID SCHOOL Columbia | 3.7 mi | — |
| V.V. REID SCHOOL, LLC Columbia | 3.7 mi | — |
| Pendergrass Fairwold School Columbia | 3.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Edward E. Taylor Elementary Columbia | 4.3 mi | 5.2 |
| A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia | 3.7 mi | 3.7 |
| Burton Pack Elementary Columbia | 4.2 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29203 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$42,371
Median Home Value
$121,600
Median Rent
$1,041/mo
Population
40,811
College Educated
21.9%
Homeownership
47.9%
Avg Commute
22 min
Poverty Rate
28.3%
Median Age
34.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Forest Heights Elementary has a median household income of $42,371. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $121,600, with a median rent of $1,041/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Creek Bridge STEM Academy Marion, SC | 6.7 |
| E. B. Morse Elementary Laurens, SC | 6.7 |
| Ford Elementary Laurens, SC | 6.7 |
| Montessori Community School Charleston, SC | 6.7 |
| Sandhills Primary Swansea, SC | 6.7 |
| Slater Marietta Elementary Marietta, SC | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Forest Heights Elementary
What grades does Forest Heights Elementary serve?
Forest Heights Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Forest Heights Elementary?
Forest Heights Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 433 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Forest Heights Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Forest Heights Elementary is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Forest Heights Elementary rank in SC?
Forest Heights Elementary is ranked #489 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Forest Heights Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Forest Heights Elementary has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Forest Heights Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Forest Heights Elementary has 17.3% math proficiency and 19.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Forest Heights Elementary a charter school?
No, Forest Heights Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Forest Heights Elementary a Title I school?
No, Forest Heights Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Forest Heights Elementary?
100.0% of students at Forest Heights Elementary 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
- City Safety
- High (4,022/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 433
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Richland County
- Phone
- (803) 691-3780
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Richland 01- District Enrollment
- 22,123
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,992
- District Rank
- #17 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.
Read our full methodologyGet 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.