Below Average
#944 of 1,176 schools in SC
Mill Creek Elementary
Elementary School · Richland 01
925 Universal Drive, Columbia, SC 29209
Enrollment
329
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
329
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
4.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#56 of 72
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#530 of 680
In district
#40 of 47
Richland 01
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Mill Creek Elementary
Mill Creek Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in the suburban area of Columbia, South Carolina. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade with an enrollment of 329 students and a student-teacher ratio of 12.7:1. With 26 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Mill Creek Elementary aims to provide personalized attention to each child's learning needs.
The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 3.3 out of 10, reflecting that there may be room for academic growth. State rankings place it at #1089 out of 1192 schools in South Carolina, which means the school is focusing on improving its educational outcomes. In terms of test performance, only 27% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 25% in Math.
Mill Creek Elementary is situated in a large suburban setting, providing a safe environment for learning and growth. The community around the school offers a blend of residential areas and nearby amenities, making it a convenient spot for families looking to connect with educational resources and local activities.
Score Breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Mill Creek Elementary — Students at Mill Creek Elementary score 24% proficient, which is below 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
↓ 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: 3.7/10.
How Mill Creek Elementary Compares
See how Mill Creek Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
925 Universal Drive, Columbia, SC 29209
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mill Creek Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Brockman Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 5.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST JOSEPH SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 4.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hopkins Elementary (rated 8.0/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Hopkins), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SANDHILLS SCHOOL Columbia | 0.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Caughman Road Elementary Columbia | 0.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Annie Burnside Elementary Columbia | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Meadowfield Elementary Columbia | 2.6 mi | 5.6 |
| HAMMOND SCHOOL Columbia | 2.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Lower Richland High Hopkins | 2.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Hopkins Elementary Hopkins | 4.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Richland One Charter Middle College Columbia | 4.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Brennen Elementary Columbia | 4.3 mi | 6.2 |
| South Kilbourne Elementary Columbia | 4.2 mi | 5.8 |
| KILBOURNE PARK BAPTIST CHURCH WEEKDAY PRESCHOOL Columbia | 4.6 mi | — |
| Horrell Hill Elementary Hopkins | 4.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Southeast Middle Hopkins | 4.5 mi | 6.1 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Columbia | 4.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Crayton Middle Columbia | 5.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Rosewood Elementary Columbia | 4.8 mi | 7.1 |
| SHANDON UNITED METHODIST PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Columbia | 5.0 mi | — |
| Dreher High Columbia | 5.2 mi | 8.5 |
| A. C. Flora High Columbia | 5.5 mi | 9.0 |
| Brockman Elementary Columbia | 5.7 mi | 8.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29209 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,854
Median Home Value
$183,200
Median Rent
$1,252/mo
Population
37,314
College Educated
39.3%
Homeownership
59%
Avg Commute
21.7 min
Poverty Rate
19.8%
Median Age
33.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mill Creek Elementary has a median household income of $58,854. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $183,200, with a median rent of $1,252/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.8%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Foster Park Elementary Union, SC | 4.9 |
| Kinard Elementary Clover, SC | 4.9 |
| Seaside Elementary Garden City, SC | 4.9 |
| Bennettsville Intermediate Bennettsville, SC | 5.0 |
| Clinton Elementary Clinton, SC | 5.0 |
| Coastal Montessori Charter Pawleys Island, SC | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mill Creek Elementary
What grades does Mill Creek Elementary serve?
Mill Creek Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Mill Creek Elementary?
Mill Creek Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 329 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mill Creek Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Mill Creek Elementary is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mill Creek Elementary rank in SC?
Mill Creek Elementary is ranked #944 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Mill Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Mill Creek Elementary has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Mill Creek Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mill Creek Elementary has 25.3% math proficiency and 27.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Mill Creek Elementary a charter school?
No, Mill Creek Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mill Creek Elementary a Title I school?
No, Mill Creek Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mill Creek Elementary?
100.0% of students at Mill Creek 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
- City Safety
- High (4,022/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 329
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Richland County
- Phone
- (803) 783-5553
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Richland 01- District Enrollment
- 22,123
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,992
- District Rank
- #40 of 47
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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