Excellent
#79 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 7% 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
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
553
Student-Teacher
12.6:1
Score
8.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#11 of 72
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#47 of 680
In district
#3 of 32
Richland 02
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About L. B. Nelson Elementary
L. B. Nelson Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, SC, part of the Richland 02.
The school serves approximately 553 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.6:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3/10, placing it in the 93.4th percentile among SC schools — an above average rating overall. Students demonstrate 47% proficiency in math and 48% in reading/language arts.
The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $56,300, where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
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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 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: 8.9/10.
How L. B. Nelson Elementary Compares
See how L. B. Nelson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 51% (2019) to 50% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 44% (2019) to 58% (2022).
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. Bookman Road Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Elgin), with a comparable rating. Another option is Joseph Keels Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 4.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Catawba Trail Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 3.7 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 | 7.0 |
| North Springs Elementary Columbia | 2.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Windsor Elementary Columbia | 2.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Summit Parkway Middle Columbia | 2.3 mi | 5.4 |
| LAKE MURRAY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 2.5 mi | — |
| E. L. Wright Middle Columbia | 2.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Killian Elementary Columbia | 2.5 mi | 4.1 |
| Polo Road Elementary Columbia | 2.8 mi | 4.8 |
| CARDINAL NEWMAN SCHOOL Columbia | 2.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Rice Creek Elementary Columbia | 3.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Ridge View High Columbia | 3.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Longleaf Middle Columbia | 3.5 mi | 5.6 |
| L. W. Conder Elementary Columbia | 3.9 mi | 4.2 |
| Sandlapper Elementary Columbia | 3.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Pontiac Elementary Elgin | 3.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Catawba Trail Elementary Elgin | 3.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Bridge Creek Elementary Elgin | 4.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Bookman Road Elementary Elgin | 4.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Joseph Keels Elementary Columbia | 4.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Richland Northeast High Columbia | 4.5 mi | 8.7 |
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 L. B. Nelson 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 |
|---|---|
| Carver-Lyon Elementary Columbia, SC | 8.3 |
| James B. Edwards Elementary Mt. Pleasant, SC | 8.3 |
| Murray-LaSaine Montessori Charleston, SC | 8.4 |
| New Prospect Elementary Inman, SC | 8.4 |
| Clearwater Elementary Clearwater, SC | 8.2 |
| E. P. Todd School Spartanburg, SC | 8.2 |
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 is ranked #79 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is L. B. Nelson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
L. B. Nelson Elementary has a composite rating of 8.3 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 L. B. Nelson Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, L. B. Nelson Elementary has 46.7% math proficiency and 48.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 553
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 65.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Richland County
- Phone
- (803) 736-8730
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Richland 02- District Enrollment
- 28,917
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,024
- District Rank
- #3 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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