Very Good
#388 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 33% in state
L. B. Nelson Elementary
Elementary School · Richland 02
225 North Brickyard Road, Columbia, SC 29223
Enrollment
553
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
553
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#388 of 1,176
In Columbia
#20 of 72
public schools
In district
#13 of 32
Richland 02
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very Good
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L. B. Nelson Elementary
Elementary School in Columbia · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Spring Valley High
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
North Springs Elementary
2.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About L. B. Nelson Elementary
L. B. Nelson Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, SC, part of Richland 02.
L. B. Nelson Elementary serves approximately 553 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio.
L. B. Nelson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #388 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for L. B. Nelson Elementary show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.1 · Very Good
- District avg 6.6
- SC avg 6.1
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
L. B. Nelson Elementary — Students at L. B. Nelson Elementary score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.1%
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: 6.7/10.
How L. B. Nelson Elementary Compares
See how L. B. Nelson 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
225 North Brickyard Road, Columbia, SC 29223
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering L. B. Nelson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Catawba Trail Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Elgin), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Bookman Road Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Elgin), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Bridge Creek Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Elgin), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Valley High Columbia | 0.9 mi | 7.3 |
| North Springs Elementary Columbia | 2.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Windsor Elementary Columbia | 2.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Summit Parkway Middle Columbia | 2.3 mi | 5.0 |
| LAKE MURRAY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 2.5 mi | — |
| E. L. Wright Middle Columbia | 2.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Killian Elementary Columbia | 2.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Polo Road Elementary Columbia | 2.8 mi | 4.7 |
| CARDINAL NEWMAN SCHOOL Columbia | 2.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Rice Creek Elementary Columbia | 3.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Ridge View High Columbia | 3.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Longleaf Middle Columbia | 3.5 mi | 5.9 |
| L. W. Conder Elementary Columbia | 3.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Sandlapper Elementary Columbia | 3.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Pontiac Elementary Elgin | 3.6 mi | 5.6 |
| Catawba Trail Elementary Elgin | 3.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Bridge Creek Elementary Elgin | 4.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Bookman Road Elementary Elgin | 4.1 mi | 7.5 |
| Joseph Keels Elementary Columbia | 4.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Richland Northeast High Columbia | 4.5 mi | 7.8 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Bethel-Hanberry Elementary Blythewood, SC | 7.1 |
| Bluffton Elementary Bluffton, SC | 7.1 |
| Drayton Hall Elementary Charleston, SC | 7.1 |
| Ebenezer Avenue Elementary: Traditional Montesorri Inquiry Rock Hill, SC | 7.1 |
| LEAD Academy Greenville, SC | 7.1 |
| Little Mountain Elementary Little Mountain, SC | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about L. B. Nelson Elementary
What grades does L. B. Nelson Elementary serve?
L. B. Nelson Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend L. B. Nelson Elementary?
L. B. Nelson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 553 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at L. B. Nelson Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at L. B. Nelson Elementary is 12.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does L. B. Nelson Elementary rank in SC?
L. B. Nelson Elementary ranks #388 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is L. B. Nelson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
L. B. Nelson Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 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 L. B. Nelson Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, L. B. Nelson Elementary has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is L. B. Nelson Elementary a charter school?
No, L. B. Nelson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is L. B. Nelson Elementary a Title I school?
No, L. B. Nelson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for L. B. Nelson Elementary?
65.1% of students at L. B. Nelson 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 553
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 65.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Richland County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 24.4%
- Phone
- (803) 736-8730
Resources & Links
District
Richland 02- District Enrollment
- 28,917
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,024
- District Rank
- #13 of 32
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