Very Good
#388 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 33% in state
L. B. Nelson Elementary
Elementary School · Richland 02 · Columbia, SC
A Richland 02 elementary school serving grades Pre-K – 5th.
225 North Brickyard Road, Columbia, SC 29223
- Math 50% proficient (2022)
- Reading 58% proficient (2022)
- 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at L. B. Nelson Elementary score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. SC average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 14-year record (2009–2022), then recovered 7 points since 2019, reaching 54% in 2022.
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 55% (multi-year average, 2009-2022) · reading/ELA 56% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 28 test records from SC state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
65.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where L. B. Nelson Elementary sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 12Car-Dependent
- Bike 23Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety: High4,022/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Columbia), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$56,300
Median home value
$183,800
Median rent
$1,217/mo
College educated
36.1%
Homeownership
57.9%
Poverty rate
18%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 29223; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Springs ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 6.1 | PK–5 | 2.1 mi | 672 | Compare → |
| Windsor ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 6.1 | PK–5 | 2.1 mi | 529 | Compare → |
| Summit Parkway MiddleEnrollment path unverified | 5.0 | K–8 | 2.3 mi | 1,176 | Compare → |
| Killian ElementaryEnrollment path unverified | 5.6 | PK–5 | 2.5 mi | 740 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Richland 02
- Schools in district
- 32
- Rank in district
- #13 of 32
- District spending per student
- $14,024NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 15.0%Census SAIPE · 2024
L. B. Nelson Elementary is listed in Richland 02; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About L. B. Nelson Elementary
L. B. Nelson Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, SC, part of Richland 02, serving approximately 553 students in grades Pre-K-5th with a 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio.
It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #388 of 1,176 schools in SC. State assessment records show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 553
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 44
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Richland County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 24.4%
- Phone
- (803) 736-8730
- Area population (ZIP 29223)
- 52,835
- Area average commute
- 24.1 min
- Area median age
- 37.2
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 29223; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24
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