Very Good
#329 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 28% in state
Riverbank Elementary
Elementary School · Lexington 02
160 Cougar Drive, West Columbia, SC 29169
Enrollment
1,002
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
1,002
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In West Columbia
#4 of 14
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#200 of 680
In district
#4 of 12
Lexington 02
Academic growth
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Riverbank Elementary
Riverbank Elementary serves 1,002 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in West Columbia, offering a substantial elementary education experience in Lexington County. With 68 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a reasonable student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1, allowing for meaningful classroom interactions. Academically, Riverbank Elementary has room for growth, with 41% of students achieving proficiency in English Language Arts and 47% in mathematics across all grade levels.
The school ranks #697 out of 1,192 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 42nd percentile among South Carolina schools. These performance metrics suggest the school is focusing on student development and working to strengthen academic outcomes. The school draws from a diverse suburban community where the median household income is $51,496 and 37% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.
With a poverty rate of 15%, Riverbank Elementary serves families across various economic backgrounds, creating an inclusive learning environment that reflects the broader West Columbia area. Located on Cougar Drive in a large suburban setting, Riverbank Elementary sits within ZIP code 29169, a community of over 22,000 residents where the median home value is $181,600, indicating a stable residential neighborhood that supports family life and education.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Riverbank Elementary — Students at Riverbank Elementary score 44% proficient, which is above 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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.4/10.
How Riverbank Elementary Compares
See how Riverbank Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 46% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 40% (2019) to 41% (2022).
Location
160 Cougar Drive, West Columbia, SC 29169
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Riverbank Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Logan Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Columbia), which scores notably higher. Another option is East Point Academy (rated 7.9/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Saluda River Academy for the Arts (rated 7.5/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in West Columbia, see our West Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Northside Middle West Columbia | 0.1 mi | 5.0 |
| East Point Academy West Columbia | 0.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Saluda River Academy for the Arts West Columbia | 0.6 mi | 7.5 |
| GLENFOREST SCHOOL West Columbia | 0.8 mi | 7.4 |
| H. B. Rhame Elementary Columbia | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| St. Andrews Middle Columbia | 1.7 mi | 5.3 |
| MONTESSORI EARLY LEARNING CENTER Columbia | 1.9 mi | 4.9 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL West Columbia | 2.0 mi | 8.0 |
| HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY West Columbia | 2.0 mi | — |
| South Carolina Virtual Charter School West Columbia | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| SC Connections Academy Columbia | 2.6 mi | 2.6 |
| Sandel Elementary Columbia | 2.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Gray Collegiate Academy West Columbia | 2.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Edward E. Taylor Elementary Columbia | 2.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Brookland-Cayce High Cayce | 2.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Springdale Elementary West Columbia | 3.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Columbia High Columbia | 3.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Seven Oaks Elementary Columbia | 3.2 mi | 4.1 |
| EDGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY West Columbia | 3.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Logan Elementary Columbia | 3.0 mi | 8.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29169 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,673
Median Home Value
$189,900
Median Rent
$1,081/mo
Population
21,342
College Educated
39%
Homeownership
55.4%
Avg Commute
19.2 min
Poverty Rate
14.8%
Median Age
38.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Riverbank Elementary has a median household income of $53,673. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $189,900, with a median rent of $1,081/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.8%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Buena Vista Elementary Greer, SC | 7.2 |
| Lakewood Elementary Myrtle Beach, SC | 7.2 |
| Langford Elementary Blythewood, SC | 7.2 |
| Laurel Hill Primary Mt. Pleasant, SC | 7.2 |
| Tega Cay Elementary Tega Cay, SC | 7.2 |
| Bethel Elementary Simpsonville, SC | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Riverbank Elementary
What grades does Riverbank Elementary serve?
Riverbank Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Riverbank Elementary?
Riverbank Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 1,002 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Riverbank Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Riverbank Elementary is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Riverbank Elementary rank in SC?
Riverbank Elementary is ranked #329 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Riverbank Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Riverbank Elementary has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Riverbank Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Riverbank Elementary has 43.7% math proficiency and 38.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Riverbank Elementary a charter school?
No, Riverbank Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Riverbank Elementary a Title I school?
No, Riverbank Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Riverbank Elementary?
100.0% of students at Riverbank 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (West Columbia). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 1,002
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 68
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lexington County
- Phone
- (803) 936-3400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lexington 02- District Enrollment
- 8,544
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,535
- District Rank
- #4 of 12
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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