Below Average
#971 of 1,176 schools in SC
Polo Road Elementary
Elementary School · Richland 02
1250 Polo Road, Columbia, SC 29223
Enrollment
659
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
659
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#60 of 72
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#548 of 680
In district
#28 of 32
Richland 02
School environment
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Polo Road Elementary
Polo Road Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Columbia, South Carolina. With an enrollment of 659 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.6:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child. The dedicated staff includes 57 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support the academic and social development of their students.
While Polo Road Elementary has room for improvement in terms of its MySchoolScout Rating (4.9/10) and state ranking (#757 out of 1192 schools, placing it at the 37th percentile), the school is committed to fostering a positive learning environment where every student can grow and thrive. In recent academic assessments, 36% of students were proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 33% achieved proficiency or better in Math. Polo Road Elementary is situated in a large suburban area, providing a safe and supportive community for its students to learn and explore.
Score Breakdown
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Polo Road Elementary — Students at Polo Road Elementary score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
69.8%
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: 3.6/10.
How Polo Road Elementary Compares
See how Polo Road Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 29% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 39% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
1250 Polo Road, Columbia, SC 29223
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Polo Road Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jackson Creek Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Brockman Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 5.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, L. B. Nelson Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CARDINAL NEWMAN SCHOOL Columbia | 0.6 mi | 8.4 |
| E. L. Wright Middle Columbia | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Windsor Elementary Columbia | 1.2 mi | 4.6 |
| L. W. Conder Elementary Columbia | 1.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Richland Northeast High Columbia | 2.0 mi | 8.7 |
| MISSION HOPE FOUNDATION Columbia | 2.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Jackson Creek Elementary Columbia | 2.3 mi | 8.6 |
| L. B. Nelson Elementary Columbia | 2.8 mi | 8.3 |
| Spring Valley High Columbia | 3.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Joseph Keels Elementary Columbia | 2.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Forest Lake Elementary Columbia | 2.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Dent Middle Columbia | 2.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Killian Elementary Columbia | 4.5 mi | 4.1 |
| CUTLER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Columbia | 4.2 mi | 7.0 |
| North Springs Elementary Columbia | 4.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Satchel Ford Elementary Columbia | 4.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Summit Parkway Middle Columbia | 5.0 mi | 5.4 |
| LAKE MURRAY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 5.2 mi | — |
| W.J. Keenan High Columbia | 4.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Brockman Elementary Columbia | 5.0 mi | 8.4 |
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 Polo Road 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 |
|---|---|
| Andrews Elementary Andrews, SC | 4.8 |
| Barnwell Primary Barnwell, SC | 4.8 |
| Brook Glenn Elementary Taylors, SC | 4.8 |
| Carolina Springs Elementary Lexington, SC | 4.8 |
| Easterling Primary Marion, SC | 4.8 |
| Flowertown Elementary Summerville, SC | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Polo Road Elementary
What grades does Polo Road Elementary serve?
Polo Road Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Polo Road Elementary?
Polo Road Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 659 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Polo Road Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Polo Road Elementary is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Polo Road Elementary rank in SC?
Polo Road Elementary is ranked #971 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Polo Road Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Polo Road Elementary has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Polo Road Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Polo Road Elementary has 33.0% math proficiency and 36.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Polo Road Elementary a charter school?
No, Polo Road Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Polo Road Elementary a Title I school?
No, Polo Road Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Polo Road Elementary?
69.8% of students at Polo Road 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
- 659
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 57
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 69.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Richland County
- Phone
- (803) 419-2226
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Richland 02- District Enrollment
- 28,917
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,024
- District Rank
- #28 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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