Very Good
#179 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 15% in state
Joseph Keels Elementary
Elementary School · Richland 02
7500 Springcrest Drive, Columbia, SC 29223
Enrollment
478
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
478
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#14 of 72
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#113 of 680
In district
#6 of 32
Richland 02
School environment
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Joseph Keels Elementary
Joseph Keels Elementary is a public elementary school located in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 478 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.1:1. Joseph Keels Elementary boasts 43 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to its diverse community.
The academic performance at Joseph Keels Elementary indicates there is room for improvement, as reflected in the MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and a state ranking of #661 out of 1192 schools in South Carolina (45th percentile). In terms of proficiency rates, 32% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 34% meet this benchmark in Math. The school is focusing on enhancing student development and academic achievement.
Joseph Keels Elementary is situated in a large suburban area of Columbia, providing a supportive environment for learning and growth.
Score Breakdown
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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 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 8.4/10.
How Joseph Keels Elementary Compares
See how Joseph Keels Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 37% (2019) to 39% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 31% (2019) to 38% (2022).
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. Jackson Creek Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Satchel Ford Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 3.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, CUTLER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 3.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 8.6 |
| Dent Middle Columbia | 1.0 mi | 6.9 |
| MISSION HOPE FOUNDATION Columbia | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Forest Lake Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Richland Northeast High Columbia | 1.8 mi | 8.7 |
| L. W. Conder Elementary Columbia | 1.8 mi | 4.2 |
| E. L. Wright Middle Columbia | 1.8 mi | 4.9 |
| CARDINAL NEWMAN SCHOOL Columbia | 2.0 mi | 8.4 |
| Windsor Elementary Columbia | 2.2 mi | 4.6 |
| W.J. Keenan High Columbia | 2.4 mi | 6.6 |
| A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia | 2.3 mi | 3.7 |
| SC Whitmore School Columbia | 2.6 mi | 3.4 |
| 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 | 7.7 |
| Polo Road Elementary Columbia | 2.6 mi | 4.8 |
| SONLIGHT HERITAGE ACADEMY Columbia | 3.1 mi | — |
| Pendergrass Fairwold School Columbia | 2.9 mi | 8.6 |
| W. G. Sanders Middle Columbia | 3.3 mi | 6.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Joseph Keels Elementary has a median household income of $56,300. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $183,800, with a median rent of $1,217/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.0%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
| Harbison West Elementary Columbia, SC | 7.8 |
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 is ranked #179 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Joseph Keels Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Joseph Keels 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 Joseph Keels Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Joseph Keels Elementary has 34.3% math proficiency and 31.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (803) 736-8754
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Richland 02- District Enrollment
- 28,917
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,024
- District Rank
- #6 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.
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