Very Good
#264 of 1,176 schools in SC
Top 22% in state
Saluda River Academy for the Arts
Elementary School · Lexington 02
1520 Duke Avenue, West Columbia, SC 29169
Enrollment
390
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
390
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In West Columbia
#3 of 14
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#159 of 680
In district
#3 of 12
Lexington 02
School environment
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Saluda River Academy for the Arts
Saluda River Academy for the Arts is a vibrant elementary school located in West Columbia, South Carolina. Spanning kindergarten through fifth grade, the school serves 390 students with a dedicated faculty of 32 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining an excellent student-to-teacher ratio of 12.2:1. The academic performance at Saluda River Academy for the Arts reflects its commitment to arts integration and holistic development, earning it a MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranking it 345th out of 1192 schools in South Carolina.
On standardized tests, 40% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 44% reach proficiency in Math, indicating areas for academic growth. The school's setting is within a large suburban area, where it forms an integral part of the community. With its focus on arts education and small class sizes, Saluda River Academy for the Arts provides a supportive environment that nurtures both creativity and academic skills.
Score Breakdown
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Saluda River Academy for the Arts — Students at Saluda River Academy for the Arts score 42% 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: 7.5/10.
How Saluda River Academy for the Arts Compares
See how Saluda River Academy for the Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 37% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
1520 Duke Avenue, West Columbia, SC 29169
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Saluda River Academy for the Arts may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Logan Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Columbia), which scores notably higher. Another option is East Point Academy (rated 7.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ST PETERS CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Columbia), 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Riverbank Elementary West Columbia | 0.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Northside Middle West Columbia | 0.7 mi | 5.0 |
| East Point Academy West Columbia | 1.2 mi | 7.9 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL West Columbia | 1.7 mi | 8.0 |
| GLENFOREST SCHOOL West Columbia | 1.4 mi | 7.4 |
| HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY West Columbia | 1.7 mi | — |
| H. B. Rhame Elementary Columbia | 1.7 mi | 5.0 |
| St. Andrews Middle Columbia | 1.8 mi | 5.3 |
| MONTESSORI EARLY LEARNING CENTER Columbia | 1.8 mi | 4.9 |
| South Carolina Virtual Charter School West Columbia | 2.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Brookland-Cayce High Cayce | 2.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Edward E. Taylor Elementary Columbia | 2.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Logan Elementary Columbia | 2.5 mi | 8.9 |
| Sandel Elementary Columbia | 3.1 mi | 4.4 |
| Heyward Gibbes Middle Columbia | 3.1 mi | 5.6 |
| ST PETERS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Columbia | 2.8 mi | 7.8 |
| SC Connections Academy Columbia | 3.1 mi | 2.6 |
| Columbia High Columbia | 3.4 mi | 7.7 |
| Springdale Elementary West Columbia | 3.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Clear Dot Charter School Columbia | 3.0 mi | 5.7 |
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 Saluda River Academy for the Arts 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 |
|---|---|
| Dutch Fork Elementary Irmo, SC | 7.5 |
| Eastside Elementary Clinton, SC | 7.5 |
| Iva Elementary Iva, SC | 7.5 |
| North Mullins Primary Mullins, SC | 7.5 |
| Oakwood-Windsor Elementary Aiken, SC | 7.5 |
| Wellford Academy of Science and Technology Wellford, SC | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Saluda River Academy for the Arts
What grades does Saluda River Academy for the Arts serve?
Saluda River Academy for the Arts serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Saluda River Academy for the Arts?
Saluda River Academy for the Arts has an enrollment of approximately 390 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Saluda River Academy for the Arts?
The student-teacher ratio at Saluda River Academy for the Arts is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Saluda River Academy for the Arts rank in SC?
Saluda River Academy for the Arts is ranked #264 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Saluda River Academy for the Arts's MySchoolScout rating?
Saluda River Academy for the Arts has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Saluda River Academy for the Arts?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Saluda River Academy for the Arts has 43.7% math proficiency and 40.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Saluda River Academy for the Arts a charter school?
No, Saluda River Academy for the Arts is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Saluda River Academy for the Arts a Title I school?
No, Saluda River Academy for the Arts is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Saluda River Academy for the Arts?
100.0% of students at Saluda River Academy for the Arts 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
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 390
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lexington County
- Phone
- (803) 739-4095
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lexington 02- District Enrollment
- 8,544
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,535
- District Rank
- #3 of 12
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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