Average
#599 of 1,176 schools in SC
Joseph Keels Elementary
Elementary School · Richland 02
7500 Springcrest Drive, Columbia, SC 29223
Enrollment
478
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
478
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#599 of 1,176
In Columbia
#31 of 72
public schools
In district
#20 of 32
Richland 02
School environment
7.1 / 10
Very Good
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Joseph Keels Elementary
Elementary School in Columbia · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Jackson Creek Elementary
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Dent Middle
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Joseph Keels Elementary
Joseph Keels Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, SC, part of Richland 02. Joseph Keels Elementary serves approximately 478 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Joseph Keels Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #599 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for Joseph Keels Elementary show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 6.3 · Average
- District avg 6.6
- SC avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
32% of students at Joseph Keels 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
Joseph Keels Elementary — Students at Joseph Keels Elementary score 38% proficient, which is above 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: 6.0/10.
How Joseph Keels Elementary Compares
See how Joseph Keels 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
7500 Springcrest Drive, Columbia, SC 29223
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Joseph Keels Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Satchel Ford Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Jackson Creek Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Forest Lake Elementary (rated 7.4/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson Creek Elementary Columbia | 0.9 mi | 8.5 |
| Dent Middle Columbia | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| MISSION HOPE FOUNDATION Columbia | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Forest Lake Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Richland Northeast High Columbia | 1.8 mi | 7.8 |
| L. W. Conder Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 4.3 |
| E. L. Wright Middle Columbia | 1.8 mi | 5.9 |
| CARDINAL NEWMAN SCHOOL Columbia | 2.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Windsor Elementary Columbia | 2.2 mi | 6.1 |
| W.J. Keenan High Columbia | 2.4 mi | 7.5 |
| A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia | 2.3 mi | 3.4 |
| SC Whitmore School Columbia | 2.6 mi | 5.6 |
| V.V.REID SCHOOL Columbia | 2.5 mi | — |
| V.V. REID SCHOOL, LLC Columbia | 2.5 mi | — |
| CUTLER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Columbia | 3.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Satchel Ford Elementary Columbia | 3.0 mi | 8.6 |
| Polo Road Elementary Columbia | 2.6 mi | 4.7 |
| SONLIGHT HERITAGE ACADEMY Columbia | 3.1 mi | — |
| Pendergrass Fairwold School Columbia | 2.9 mi | 6.8 |
| W. G. Sanders Middle Columbia | 3.3 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29223 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,300
Median Home Value
$183,800
Median Rent
$1,217/mo
Population
52,835
College Educated
36.1%
Homeownership
57.9%
Avg Commute
24.1 min
Poverty Rate
18%
Median Age
37.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Allendale-Fairfax Elementary Fairfax, SC | 6.3 |
| Bradley Elementary Columbia, SC | 6.3 |
| Carver-Lyon Elementary Columbia, SC | 6.3 |
| Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Elementary Greenwood, SC | 6.3 |
| Great Falls Elementary Great Falls, SC | 6.3 |
| Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts Hilton Head Island, SC | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Joseph Keels Elementary
What grades does Joseph Keels Elementary serve?
Joseph Keels Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Joseph Keels Elementary?
Joseph Keels Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 478 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Joseph Keels Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Joseph Keels Elementary is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Joseph Keels Elementary rank in SC?
Joseph Keels Elementary ranks #599 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Joseph Keels Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Joseph Keels Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 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 Joseph Keels Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Joseph Keels Elementary has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Joseph Keels Elementary a charter school?
No, Joseph Keels Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Joseph Keels Elementary a Title I school?
No, Joseph Keels Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Joseph Keels Elementary?
100.0% of students at Joseph Keels 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
- 478
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Richland County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.2%
- Phone
- (803) 736-8754
Resources & Links
District
Richland 02- District Enrollment
- 28,917
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,024
- District Rank
- #20 of 32
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