Average
#859 of 1,176 schools in SC
J. P. Thomas Elementary
Elementary School · Richland 01
6001 Weston Avenue, Columbia, SC 29203
Enrollment
302
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
302
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#859 of 1,176
In Columbia
#46 of 72
public schools
In district
#22 of 47
Richland 01
School environment
9.2 / 10
Excellent
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J. P. Thomas Elementary
Elementary School in Columbia · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Arden Elementary
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About J. P. Thomas Elementary
J. P. Thomas Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, SC, part of Richland 01.
J. P. Thomas Elementary serves approximately 302 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio.
J. P. Thomas Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #859 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for J. P. Thomas Elementary show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 5.1 · Average
- District avg 5.2
- SC avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
31% of students at J. P. Thomas 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
J. P. Thomas Elementary — Students at J. P. Thomas 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: 4.5/10.
How J. P. Thomas Elementary Compares
See how J. P. Thomas 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
6001 Weston Avenue, Columbia, SC 29203
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering J. P. Thomas Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bradley Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CENTER FOR LEARNING INC (rated 6.2/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Watkins-Nance Elementary (rated 4.3/10, 2.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy Columbia | 0.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Arden Elementary Columbia | 0.9 mi | 3.4 |
| Alcorn Middle Columbia | 0.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Pendergrass Fairwold School Columbia | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| V.V.REID SCHOOL Columbia | 1.2 mi | — |
| V.V. REID SCHOOL, LLC Columbia | 1.2 mi | — |
| Burton Pack Elementary Columbia | 1.4 mi | 3.6 |
| SC Whitmore School Columbia | 1.4 mi | 5.6 |
| A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia | 1.5 mi | 3.4 |
| Eau Claire High Columbia | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Hyatt Park Elementary Columbia | 1.9 mi | 3.3 |
| Carolina School for Inquiry Columbia | 2.1 mi | 4.2 |
| W. A. Perry Middle Columbia | 2.2 mi | 4.1 |
| SONLIGHT HERITAGE ACADEMY Columbia | 2.0 mi | — |
| Watkins-Nance Elementary Columbia | 2.3 mi | 4.3 |
| DANIELS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Columbia | 2.4 mi | — |
| W. G. Sanders Middle Columbia | 2.3 mi | 7.0 |
| CENTER FOR LEARNING INC Columbia | 2.5 mi | 6.2 |
| C. A. Johnson High Columbia | 2.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Bradley Elementary Columbia | 2.7 mi | 6.3 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Johnston Elementary Johnston, SC | 5.1 |
| Saluda Elementary Saluda, SC | 5.1 |
| Wilder Elementary Sumter, SC | 5.1 |
| Annie Burnside Elementary Columbia, SC | 5.0 |
| McDonald Green Elementary Lancaster, SC | 5.0 |
| Blacksburg Primary Blacksburg, SC | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about J. P. Thomas Elementary
What grades does J. P. Thomas Elementary serve?
J. P. Thomas Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend J. P. Thomas Elementary?
J. P. Thomas Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 302 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at J. P. Thomas Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at J. P. Thomas Elementary is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does J. P. Thomas Elementary rank in SC?
J. P. Thomas Elementary ranks #859 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is J. P. Thomas Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
J. P. Thomas Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 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 J. P. Thomas Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, J. P. Thomas Elementary has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is J. P. Thomas Elementary a charter school?
No, J. P. Thomas Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is J. P. Thomas Elementary a Title I school?
No, J. P. Thomas Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for J. P. Thomas Elementary?
100.0% of students at J. P. Thomas 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
- 302
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Richland County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.1%
- Phone
- (803) 735-3430
Resources & Links
District
Richland 01- District Enrollment
- 22,123
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,992
- District Rank
- #22 of 47
Other Schools in This District
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