Below Average
#1025 of 1,176 schools in SC
Sandel Elementary
Elementary School · Richland 01
2700 Seminole Road, Columbia, SC 29210
Enrollment
507
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
507
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
4.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#62 of 72
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#583 of 680
In district
#43 of 47
Richland 01
School environment
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Sandel Elementary
Sandel Elementary is an elementary school in Columbia, South Carolina, nestled in a large suburban area. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has a total enrollment of 507 students. With 32 full-time equivalent teachers, the student-teacher ratio at Sandel Elementary is 15.8:1, providing a relatively personalized learning environment for each child.
Academically, Sandel Elementary currently ranks #1147 out of 1192 schools in South Carolina, placing it in the 4th percentile with room for improvement. Test scores show that 24% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 22% meet proficiency standards in Math. These numbers indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development to enhance overall academic performance.
Sandel Elementary offers a range of programs and support systems aimed at helping each child reach their full potential within a supportive suburban community setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Sandel Elementary — Students at Sandel Elementary score 24% proficient, which is below 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
↓ 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 Sandel Elementary Compares
See how Sandel Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 25% (2022).
Location
2700 Seminole Road, Columbia, SC 29210
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sandel Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. East Point Academy (rated 7.9/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby West Columbia), which scores notably higher. Another option is Saluda River Academy for the Arts (rated 7.5/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby West Columbia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Riverbank Elementary (rated 7.2/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby West Columbia), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia High Columbia | 0.7 mi | 7.7 |
| SC Connections Academy Columbia | 1.2 mi | 2.6 |
| Pine Grove Elementary Columbia | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| St. Andrews Middle Columbia | 1.4 mi | 5.3 |
| Seven Oaks Elementary Columbia | 1.3 mi | 4.1 |
| H. B. Rhame Elementary Columbia | 1.5 mi | 5.0 |
| MONTESSORI EARLY LEARNING CENTER Columbia | 1.7 mi | 4.9 |
| BEN LIPPEN SCHOOL Columbia | 1.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Broad River High Columbia | 2.1 mi | — |
| Kirkland High Columbia | 2.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Sara Babb High Columbia | 2.2 mi | — |
| SCDJJ Evaluation and Detention Center Columbia | 2.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Riverbank Elementary West Columbia | 2.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Northside Middle West Columbia | 2.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Edward E. Taylor Elementary Columbia | 2.5 mi | 5.2 |
| East Point Academy West Columbia | 3.0 mi | 7.9 |
| Saluda River Academy for the Arts West Columbia | 3.1 mi | 7.5 |
| 1955 Columbia | 2.8 mi | 6.7 |
| BEN LIPPEN SCHOOL Columbia | 2.9 mi | 5.6 |
| GLENFOREST SCHOOL West Columbia | 3.2 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29210 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,258
Median Home Value
$183,000
Median Rent
$1,076/mo
Population
40,504
College Educated
29.8%
Homeownership
37.1%
Avg Commute
20.6 min
Poverty Rate
18.9%
Median Age
33.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sandel Elementary has a median household income of $50,258. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $183,000, with a median rent of $1,076/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.9%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Dennis Elementary Bishopville, SC | 4.4 |
| Lemira Elementary Sumter, SC | 4.4 |
| Marion Intermediate Marion, SC | 4.4 |
| Marrington Elementary Goose Creek, SC | 4.4 |
| Oak Grove Elementary Lexington, SC | 4.4 |
| Red Bank Elementary Lexington, SC | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sandel Elementary
What grades does Sandel Elementary serve?
Sandel Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Sandel Elementary?
Sandel Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 507 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sandel Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Sandel Elementary is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sandel Elementary rank in SC?
Sandel Elementary is ranked #1025 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Sandel Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Sandel Elementary has a composite rating of 4.4 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 Sandel Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sandel Elementary has 22.0% math proficiency and 23.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Sandel Elementary a charter school?
No, Sandel Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sandel Elementary a Title I school?
No, Sandel Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sandel Elementary?
100.0% of students at Sandel 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
- 507
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 32
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Richland County
- Phone
- (803) 731-8906
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Richland 01- District Enrollment
- 22,123
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,992
- District Rank
- #43 of 47
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.
Read our full methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.