Below Average
#921 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
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
659
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#921 of 1,176
In Columbia
#51 of 72
public schools
In district
#31 of 32
Richland 02
School environment
8.7 / 10
Excellent
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Polo Road Elementary
Elementary School in Columbia · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cardinal Newman School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
E. L. Wright Middle
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Polo Road Elementary
Polo Road Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, SC, part of Richland 02. Polo Road Elementary serves approximately 659 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Polo Road Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #921 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for Polo Road Elementary show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.7 · Below Average
- District avg 6.6
- SC avg 6.1
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 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: 3.2/10.
How Polo Road Elementary Compares
See how Polo Road 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
1250 Polo Road, Columbia, SC 29223
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Polo Road Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Brockman Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 5.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Satchel Ford Elementary (rated 8.6/10, 4.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jackson Creek Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.3 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 | 5.9 |
| Windsor Elementary Columbia | 1.2 mi | 6.1 |
| L. W. Conder Elementary Columbia | 1.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Richland Northeast High Columbia | 2.0 mi | 7.8 |
| MISSION HOPE FOUNDATION Columbia | 2.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Jackson Creek Elementary Columbia | 2.3 mi | 8.5 |
| L. B. Nelson Elementary Columbia | 2.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Spring Valley High Columbia | 3.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Joseph Keels Elementary Columbia | 2.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Forest Lake Elementary Columbia | 2.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Dent Middle Columbia | 2.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Killian Elementary Columbia | 4.5 mi | 5.6 |
| CUTLER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL Columbia | 4.2 mi | 7.0 |
| North Springs Elementary Columbia | 4.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Satchel Ford Elementary Columbia | 4.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Summit Parkway Middle Columbia | 5.0 mi | 5.0 |
| LAKE MURRAY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 5.2 mi | — |
| W.J. Keenan High Columbia | 4.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Brockman Elementary Columbia | 5.0 mi | 8.9 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Doby's Mill Elementary Lugoff, SC | 4.7 |
| Eleanor S. Rice Elementary Greenwood, SC | 4.7 |
| James M. Brown Elementary Walhalla, SC | 4.7 |
| Mary H. Wright Elementary Spartanburg, SC | 4.7 |
| Sandel Elementary Columbia, SC | 4.7 |
| Whitehall Elementary Anderson, SC | 4.7 |
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 ranks #921 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Polo Road Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Polo Road Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 Polo Road Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Polo Road Elementary has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 19.1%
- Phone
- (803) 419-2226
Resources & Links
District
Richland 02- District Enrollment
- 28,917
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,024
- District Rank
- #31 of 32
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