Average
#900 of 1,176 schools in SC
Rice Creek Elementary
Elementary School · Richland 02
4751 Hard Scrabble Road, Columbia, SC 29229
Enrollment
764
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
764
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#54 of 72
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#507 of 680
In district
#24 of 32
Richland 02
School environment
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Rice Creek Elementary
Rice Creek Elementary serves students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Columbia, South Carolina, with an enrollment of 764 students. Located at 4751 Hard Scrabble Road in the Richland County area, the school sits within a large suburban community. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1, supported by 58 full-time equivalent teachers.
Academically, Rice Creek Elementary is working toward improvement, with about 43 percent of students achieving proficiency or above in English language arts and 41 percent meeting proficiency benchmarks in mathematics across grade levels. The school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks 860th among South Carolina's 1,192 schools, placing it in the lower percentile statewide. These metrics suggest the school has significant room for academic growth and development as it continues to support its student population.
As a regular public elementary school, Rice Creek serves families in the broader Columbia suburban region.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Rice Creek Elementary — Students at Rice Creek Elementary score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
60.9%
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: 3.9/10.
How Rice Creek Elementary Compares
See how Rice Creek Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 38% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 49% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
4751 Hard Scrabble Road, Columbia, SC 29229
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rice Creek Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. L. B. Nelson Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bookman Road Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Elgin), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lake Carolina Elementary Lower Campus (rated 7.2/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Blythewood), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ridge View High Columbia | 0.3 mi | 5.8 |
| LAKE MURRAY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Columbia | 0.7 mi | — |
| Sandlapper Elementary Columbia | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Killian Elementary Columbia | 1.9 mi | 4.1 |
| North Springs Elementary Columbia | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Longleaf Middle Columbia | 1.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Summit Parkway Middle Columbia | 2.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Kelly Mill Middle Blythewood | 2.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Lake Carolina Elementary Upper Campus Blythewood | 2.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Lake Carolina Elementary Lower Campus Blythewood | 2.4 mi | 7.2 |
| Blythewood Middle Blythewood | 2.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Round Top Elementary Blythewood | 3.0 mi | 5.4 |
| L. B. Nelson Elementary Columbia | 3.2 mi | 8.3 |
| Bridge Creek Elementary Elgin | 3.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Spring Valley High Columbia | 3.7 mi | 7.0 |
| Langford Elementary Blythewood | 3.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Bookman Road Elementary Elgin | 3.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Westwood High Blythewood | 4.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Windsor Elementary Columbia | 4.9 mi | 4.6 |
| E. L. Wright Middle Columbia | 5.3 mi | 4.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29229 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,571
Median Home Value
$230,800
Median Rent
$1,528/mo
Population
50,652
College Educated
45.9%
Homeownership
71.8%
Avg Commute
31.8 min
Poverty Rate
10.8%
Median Age
35.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Rice Creek Elementary has a median household income of $72,571. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $230,800, with a median rent of $1,528/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.8%. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| Aynor Elementary Aynor, SC | 5.1 |
| Duncan Chapel Elementary Greenville, SC | 5.1 |
| Edwards Elementary Chesterfield, SC | 5.1 |
| Hammond Hill Elementary North Augusta, SC | 5.1 |
| Independence Elementary Rock Hill, SC | 5.1 |
| Pine Grove Elementary Columbia, SC | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rice Creek Elementary
What grades does Rice Creek Elementary serve?
Rice Creek Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Rice Creek Elementary?
Rice Creek Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 764 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rice Creek Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Rice Creek Elementary is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rice Creek Elementary rank in SC?
Rice Creek Elementary is ranked #900 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Rice Creek Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Rice Creek Elementary has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Rice Creek Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rice Creek Elementary has 41.0% math proficiency and 43.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Rice Creek Elementary a charter school?
No, Rice Creek Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rice Creek Elementary a Title I school?
No, Rice Creek Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rice Creek Elementary?
60.9% of students at Rice 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
- 764
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 58
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 60.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Richland County
- Phone
- (803) 699-2900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Richland 02- District Enrollment
- 28,917
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,024
- District Rank
- #24 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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