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Very Good

#176 of 1,176 schools in SC

Top 15% in state

Harbison West Elementary

Elementary School · Lexington 05

257 Crossbow Drive, Columbia, SC 29212

Enrollment

507

Student-Teacher

9.1:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Columbia

#13 of 72

public schools

South Carolina elementary schools

#110 of 680

In district

#6 of 22

Lexington 05

School environment

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Harbison West Elementary

Harbison West Elementary is a regular public elementary school nestled in the heart of Columbia, South Carolina. Serving students from pre-K through fifth grade, Harbison West offers an engaging educational experience with a student body of 507 students and a dedicated faculty of 56 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's low student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1 ensures that each child receives individualized attention and support.

Harbison West Elementary ranks in the 76th percentile among South Carolina schools, placing it at number 293 out of 1192 elementary institutions. While the academic performance shows room for growth—49% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 48% proficient or above in Math—the school is committed to fostering a nurturing environment where every student can thrive. The school is situated in a large suburban area, offering students easy access to various community resources and recreational facilities.

Whether you're walking through the vibrant neighborhoods nearby or enjoying local parks and libraries, Harbison West Elementary provides a supportive community for both learners and families alike.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1, Harbison West Elementary 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.13 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54%
Overall Proficiency51%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected+15.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,775

Harbison West Elementary — Students at Harbison West Elementary score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 48.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 48.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
52%
ELA
49%
2021*
Math
45%
ELA
43%
2022
Math
48%
ELA
54%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Harbison West Elementary Compares

See how Harbison West Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
85th percentile in SC
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
56 teachers

Location

257 Crossbow Drive, Columbia, SC 29212

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Harbison West Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dutch Fork Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.9 miles away, in nearby Irmo), with a very similar rating. Another option is Irmo Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Irmo), with a comparable rating. Additionally, H. E. Corley Elementary (rated 6.4/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Irmo), a more accessible option. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.3 mi
School Distance Rating
CrossRoads Intermediate Columbia 1.0 mi 4.1
Irmo Middle Columbia 1.1 mi 6.6
Irmo High Columbia 1.2 mi 8.7
Irmo Elementary Irmo 1.1 mi 6.9
UNION UMC KINDERGARTEN Irmo 1.1 mi
GREEN Charter School Midlands Irmo 1.6 mi 4.7
Dutch Fork Elementary Irmo 1.9 mi 7.5
Nursery Road Elementary Columbia 2.1 mi 5.3
Leaphart Elementary Columbia 2.2 mi 6.0
VICTORY BIBLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Irmo 2.9 mi 5.5
SCDJJ Evaluation and Detention Center Columbia 2.8 mi 7.1
H. E. Corley Elementary Irmo 3.0 mi 6.4
BEN LIPPEN SCHOOL Columbia 3.4 mi 5.3
River Springs Elementary Irmo 3.7 mi 6.0
Pine Grove Elementary Columbia 3.3 mi 5.1
Seven Oaks Elementary Columbia 3.6 mi 4.1
River Bluff High Lexington 4.0 mi 8.5
Oak Pointe Elementary Irmo 4.2 mi 6.2
Sara Babb High Columbia 3.6 mi
SC Connections Academy Columbia 4.3 mi 2.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29212 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,652

Median Home Value

$222,200

Median Rent

$1,359/mo

Population

27,701

College Educated

45.7%

Homeownership

70.1%

Avg Commute

25.7 min

Poverty Rate

8.2%

Median Age

41.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Harbison West Elementary has a median household income of $74,652. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $222,200, with a median rent of $1,359/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Bookman Road Elementary Elgin, SC 7.8
Cherokee Trail Elementary Donalds, SC 7.8
Congaree Elementary West Columbia, SC 7.8
Ebinport Elementary Rock Hill, SC 7.8
Flat Rock Elementary Anderson, SC 7.8
Harbor View Elementary Charleston, SC 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Harbison West Elementary

What grades does Harbison West Elementary serve?

Harbison West Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Harbison West Elementary?

Harbison West Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 507 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Harbison West Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Harbison West Elementary is 9.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Harbison West Elementary rank in SC?

Harbison West Elementary is ranked #176 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Harbison West Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Harbison West Elementary has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Harbison West Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harbison West Elementary has 48.3% math proficiency and 48.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Harbison West Elementary a charter school?

No, Harbison West Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Harbison West Elementary a Title I school?

No, Harbison West Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harbison West Elementary?

100.0% of students at Harbison West 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
25 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,022/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
507
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
56
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Lexington County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Lexington 05
District Enrollment
17,278
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,799
District Rank
#6 of 22

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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