Average
#458 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 39% in state
Forest Lake Elementary
Elementary School · Richland 02
6801 Brookfield Road, Columbia, SC 29206
Enrollment
638
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
638
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#26 of 72
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#274 of 680
In district
#15 of 32
Richland 02
School environment
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Forest Lake Elementary
Forest Lake Elementary is a public elementary school nestled in the suburbs of Columbia, South Carolina. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Forest Lake Elementary has an enrollment of 638 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1 with 48 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's location offers a safe and spacious suburban setting that supports its educational programs.
Forest Lake Elementary is ranked as the 316th out of 1,192 schools in South Carolina by MySchoolScout, placing it at the 74th percentile among state schools. With an academic score of 6.7/10 and a school rating of 6.6/10, Forest Lake focuses on student development while recognizing areas for improvement. In recent assessments, 51% of students were proficient or above in both English Language Arts and Math.
Forest Lake Elementary provides a solid foundation in core subjects along with opportunities for growth and learning in a supportive suburban community.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Forest Lake Elementary — Students at Forest Lake Elementary score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61%
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: 6.3/10.
How Forest Lake Elementary Compares
See how Forest Lake Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 51% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 50% (2019) to 56% (2022).
Location
6801 Brookfield Road, Columbia, SC 29206
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Forest Lake Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jackson Creek Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Brockman Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Joseph Keels Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| MISSION HOPE FOUNDATION Columbia | 0.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Dent Middle Columbia | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Jackson Creek Elementary Columbia | 0.9 mi | 8.6 |
| Richland Northeast High Columbia | 0.8 mi | 8.7 |
| CUTLER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Columbia | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| L. W. Conder Elementary Columbia | 1.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Joseph Keels Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Satchel Ford Elementary Columbia | 1.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Brockman Elementary Columbia | 2.3 mi | 8.4 |
| HARMONY SCHOOL Columbia | 2.2 mi | — |
| CARDINAL NEWMAN SCHOOL Columbia | 2.4 mi | 8.4 |
| E. L. Wright Middle Columbia | 2.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Crayton Middle Columbia | 2.7 mi | 8.3 |
| SONLIGHT HERITAGE ACADEMY Columbia | 2.4 mi | — |
| W. G. Sanders Middle Columbia | 2.5 mi | 6.4 |
| SC Whitmore School Columbia | 2.6 mi | 3.4 |
| Polo Road Elementary Columbia | 2.8 mi | 4.8 |
| Bradley Elementary Columbia | 2.8 mi | 5.2 |
| A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia | 2.8 mi | 3.7 |
| A. C. Flora High Columbia | 3.0 mi | 9.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29206 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$89,726
Median Home Value
$328,600
Median Rent
$1,367/mo
Population
20,054
College Educated
64.4%
Homeownership
64.7%
Avg Commute
20.3 min
Poverty Rate
6.8%
Median Age
37.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Forest Lake Elementary has a median household income of $89,726. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $328,600, with a median rent of $1,367/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| Cherokee Charter Academy Gaffney, SC | 6.8 |
| Fork Shoals School Pelzer, SC | 6.8 |
| James H. Hendrix Elementary Boiling Springs, SC | 6.8 |
| Lake Murray Elementary Chapin, SC | 6.8 |
| Liberty STEAM Charter School Sumter, SC | 6.8 |
| Millbrook Elementary Aiken, SC | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Forest Lake Elementary
What grades does Forest Lake Elementary serve?
Forest Lake Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Forest Lake Elementary?
Forest Lake Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 638 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Forest Lake Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Forest Lake Elementary is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Forest Lake Elementary rank in SC?
Forest Lake Elementary is ranked #458 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Forest Lake Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Forest Lake Elementary has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Lake Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Forest Lake Elementary has 51.0% math proficiency and 50.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Forest Lake Elementary a charter school?
No, Forest Lake Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Forest Lake Elementary a Title I school?
No, Forest Lake Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Forest Lake Elementary?
61.0% of students at Forest Lake 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
- 638
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 61.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Richland County
- Phone
- (803) 782-0470
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Richland 02- District Enrollment
- 28,917
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,024
- District Rank
- #15 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.
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.