Below Average
#1017 of 1,176 schools in SC
Forest Heights Elementary
Elementary School · Richland 01
2500 Blue Ridge Terrace, Columbia, SC 29203
Enrollment
433
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
433
Student-Teacher
12:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#1,017 of 1,176
In Columbia
#59 of 72
public schools
In district
#35 of 47
Richland 01
School environment
9.0 / 10
Excellent
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Forest Heights Elementary
Elementary School in Columbia · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Carolina School for Inquiry
1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Ben Lippen School
1.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Forest Heights Elementary
Forest Heights Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, SC, part of Richland 01. Forest Heights Elementary serves approximately 433 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. Forest Heights Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,017 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for Forest Heights Elementary show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.2 · Below Average
- District avg 5.2
- SC avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
Forest Heights Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
33% of students at Forest Heights Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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 28 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: 2.8/10.
How Forest Heights Elementary Compares
See how Forest Heights Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. 1955 (rated 6.7/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is J. P. Thomas Elementary (rated 5.1/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Carolina School for Inquiry (rated 4.2/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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 | 4.2 |
| 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 | 4.4 |
| Eau Claire High Columbia | 3.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Broad River High Columbia | 3.0 mi | — |
| Kirkland High Columbia | 3.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy Columbia | 3.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Arden Elementary Columbia | 3.5 mi | 3.4 |
| Sara Babb High Columbia | 3.2 mi | — |
| Hyatt Park Elementary Columbia | 3.8 mi | 3.3 |
| Heyward Gibbes Middle Columbia | 3.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Columbia High Columbia | 3.8 mi | 7.1 |
| V.V.REID SCHOOL Columbia | 3.7 mi | — |
| V.V. REID SCHOOL, LLC Columbia | 3.7 mi | — |
| Pendergrass Fairwold School Columbia | 3.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Edward E. Taylor Elementary Columbia | 4.3 mi | 3.5 |
| A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia | 3.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Burton Pack Elementary Columbia | 4.2 mi | 3.6 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alexander Elementary Greenville, SC | 4.2 |
| Greendale Elementary New Ellenton, SC | 4.2 |
| J. D. Lever Elementary Aiken, SC | 4.2 |
| McDonald Elementary Georgetown, SC | 4.2 |
| Nevitt Forest Elementary Anderson, SC | 4.2 |
| North Vista Elementary Florence, SC | 4.2 |
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 ranks #1,017 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Forest Heights Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Forest Heights Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 Forest Heights Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Forest Heights Elementary has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.8%
- Phone
- (803) 691-3780
Resources & Links
District
Richland 01- District Enrollment
- 22,123
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,992
- District Rank
- #35 of 47
Other Schools in This District
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