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Very Good

#36 of 192 private schools in SC

Top 18% of private schools

Glenforest School

School

1041 HARBOR DR, West Columbia, SC 29169

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 14 schools in West Columbia. Learn more

Enrollment

52

Student-Teacher

4.8:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In West Columbia

#2 of 3

public schools

South Carolina schools

#18 of 116

About Glenforest School

Glenforest School serves 52 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in West Columbia, South Carolina. This small regular public school provides an exceptionally intimate learning environment with just 11 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an outstanding student-teacher ratio of 4.8:1 that allows for highly individualized attention and personalized instruction. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10, Glenforest ranks 142nd among South Carolina's 192 schools, placing it in the 27th percentile statewide.

The school's remarkably small size distinguishes it from typical public schools, offering students the opportunity to form close relationships with teachers and peers while receiving focused academic support. The school draws families from the surrounding West Columbia community in the 29169 ZIP code, where the median household income is $51,496 and median home values reach $181,600. About 37% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 15%.

This diverse economic landscape reflects a community where 22,039 residents value educational opportunities for their children. Glenforest School operates within Lexington County's large suburban setting, providing students with both the benefits of a close-knit school community and access to the broader resources and opportunities available in the greater Columbia metropolitan area.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 52 students, Glenforest School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 4.8:1, Glenforest School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Glenforest School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2024 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$28,305
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$29,967
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.06x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
88%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$1.2M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 52 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Glenforest School compares to 14 public schools serving similar grades in West Columbia, SC

Student-Teacher Ratio
4.8:1
This School
vs
14.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
52
This School
vs
800
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.4
This School
vs
6.0
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 80.8% vs 0%
Black 17.3% vs 0%
Glenforest School West Columbia Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Glenforest School (this school) 7.4
East Point Academy 7.9
Northside Middle 5.0
Riverbank Elementary 7.2
Saluda River Academy for the Arts 7.5
Gray Collegiate Academy 4.3
South Carolina Virtual Charter School 5.6
Springdale Elementary 7.0
R. H. Fulmer Middle 5.6
Airport High 6.3
Herbert A. Wood Elementary 5.3
White Knoll Middle 5.6
Pine Ridge Middle 4.9
White Knoll Elementary 3.6
Congaree Elementary 7.8

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in SC.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 4.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B 6.0 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,232
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 7.8 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 32%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C 3.4 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 52
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in SC

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 80.8%
Black 17.3%
Pacific Islander 1.9%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1041 HARBOR DR, West Columbia, SC 29169

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Glenforest School may also want to explore other schools in the area. GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is South Carolina Virtual Charter School (rated 5.6/10, 2.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, SC Connections Academy (rated 2.6/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Columbia), a more accessible option. For more schools in West Columbia, see our West Columbia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
East Point Academy West Columbia 0.2 mi 7.9
Northside Middle West Columbia 0.7 mi 5.0
Riverbank Elementary West Columbia 0.8 mi 7.2
Saluda River Academy for the Arts West Columbia 1.4 mi 7.5
Gray Collegiate Academy West Columbia 1.8 mi 4.3
HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY West Columbia 2.1 mi
GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL West Columbia 2.1 mi 8.0
South Carolina Virtual Charter School West Columbia 2.2 mi 5.6
Springdale Elementary West Columbia 2.4 mi 7.0
H. B. Rhame Elementary Columbia 2.3 mi 5.0
St. Andrews Middle Columbia 2.4 mi 5.3
SC Connections Academy Columbia 2.7 mi 2.6
EDGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY West Columbia 2.9 mi 6.0
MONTESSORI EARLY LEARNING CENTER Columbia 2.7 mi 4.9
Sandel Elementary Columbia 3.2 mi 4.4
R. H. Fulmer Middle West Columbia 3.3 mi 5.6
Airport High West Columbia 3.3 mi 6.3
Seven Oaks Elementary Columbia 3.3 mi 4.1
Midlands Middle College Columbia 3.4 mi 7.0
River Bluff High Lexington 3.0 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29169 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,673

Median Home Value

$189,900

Median Rent

$1,081/mo

Population

21,342

College Educated

39%

Homeownership

55.4%

Avg Commute

19.2 min

Poverty Rate

14.8%

Median Age

38.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Glenforest School has a median household income of $53,673. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $189,900, with a median rent of $1,081/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
FIRST SOUTHERN METHODIST CHR & WESLEY CHRISTIAN SC Orangeburg, SC 7.4
FOUNDATION CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gaston, SC 7.4
AGAPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lobeco, SC 7.3
Cedar Springs Academy Spartanburg, SC 7.7
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Longs, SC 7.1
MISSION HOPE FOUNDATION Columbia, SC 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Glenforest School

What grades does Glenforest School serve?

Glenforest School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Glenforest School?

Glenforest School has an enrollment of approximately 52 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Glenforest School?

The student-teacher ratio at Glenforest School is 4.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Glenforest School rank in SC?

Glenforest School is ranked #36 out of 192 private schools in SC.

What is Glenforest School's MySchoolScout rating?

Glenforest School has a composite rating of 7.4 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.

Is Glenforest School a private school?

Yes, Glenforest School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Glenforest School a religious school?

No, Glenforest School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,196/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (West Columbia). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
52
Gender Split
65% M / 35% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
4.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
176 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
LEXINGTON
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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