Very Good
#47 of 192 private schools in SC
Top 24% of private schools
Sandhills School
School
1500 HALLBROOK DR, Columbia, SC 29209
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 70 schools in Columbia. Learn more
Enrollment
113
Student-Teacher
5.3:1
Score
7.1
Grades
1st – 12th
Enrollment
113
Student-Teacher
5.3:1
Score
7.1
Grades
1st – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Columbia
#5 of 13
public schools
South Carolina schools
#24 of 116
About Sandhills School
Sandhills School serves students in grades 1-12 with an enrollment of 113 students in Columbia, South Carolina. This regular public school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 5.3:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for highly personalized attention and instruction. The school has earned a solid MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #59 out of 192 schools statewide, placing it in the 70th percentile among South Carolina schools.
This performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in a smaller learning environment where students can receive individualized support. Located at 1500 Hallbrook Drive in the 29209 zip code area, Sandhills School serves a diverse community where the median household income is $57,969 and 37% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood features a median home value of $173,600, reflecting a stable residential area.
With a poverty rate of 19.5%, the school works with families across various economic backgrounds. The intimate size of Sandhills School creates a close-knit educational community where students spanning elementary through high school can benefit from strong relationships with teachers and staff. The school operates within Columbia's mid-size city environment, offering students both educational opportunities and access to the broader cultural and economic resources of South Carolina's capital city.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 113 students, Sandhills School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 5.3:1, Sandhills School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Sandhills School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2024 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $29,175
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $36,131
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.24x — Strong
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 62%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $9.7M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 113 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Sandhills School compares to 74 public schools serving similar grades in Columbia, SC
Student Demographics
Nearby Other Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Sandhills School (this school) | 7.1 |
| Caughman Road Elementary | 4.0 |
| Mill Creek Elementary | 4.9 |
| Annie Burnside Elementary | 5.9 |
| Meadowfield Elementary | 5.6 |
| Richland One Charter Middle College | 5.3 |
| Brennen Elementary | 6.2 |
| South Kilbourne Elementary | 5.8 |
| Rosewood Elementary | 7.1 |
| Crayton Middle | 8.3 |
| Dreher High | 8.5 |
| A. C. Flora High | 9.0 |
| Brockman Elementary | 8.4 |
| A. C. Moore Elementary | 6.7 |
| Hand Middle | 6.9 |
| Satchel Ford Elementary | 7.7 |
| Bradley Elementary | 5.2 |
| Forest Lake Elementary | 6.8 |
| Richland Northeast High | 8.7 |
| W. G. Sanders Middle | 6.4 |
| Carver-Lyon Elementary | 8.3 |
Showing 20 of 74 schools. View all schools in Columbia
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in SC.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in SC
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
1500 HALLBROOK DR, Columbia, SC 29209
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sandhills School may also want to explore other schools in the area. A. C. Flora High (rated 9.0/10, 5.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Dreher High (rated 8.5/10, 5.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Brockman Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 5.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Caughman Road Elementary Columbia | 0.4 mi | 4.0 |
| Mill Creek Elementary Columbia | 0.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Annie Burnside Elementary Columbia | 1.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Meadowfield Elementary Columbia | 2.6 mi | 5.6 |
| HAMMOND SCHOOL Columbia | 2.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Lower Richland High Hopkins | 2.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Richland One Charter Middle College Columbia | 3.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Brennen Elementary Columbia | 4.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Hopkins Elementary Hopkins | 4.6 mi | 8.0 |
| KILBOURNE PARK BAPTIST CHURCH WEEKDAY PRESCHOOL Columbia | 4.3 mi | — |
| South Kilbourne Elementary Columbia | 4.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Crayton Middle Columbia | 4.9 mi | 8.3 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Columbia | 4.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Horrell Hill Elementary Hopkins | 4.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Southeast Middle Hopkins | 4.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Rosewood Elementary Columbia | 4.7 mi | 7.1 |
| SHANDON UNITED METHODIST PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Columbia | 4.8 mi | — |
| Dreher High Columbia | 5.0 mi | 8.5 |
| Brockman Elementary Columbia | 5.4 mi | 8.4 |
| A. C. Flora High Columbia | 5.2 mi | 9.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29209 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,854
Median Home Value
$183,200
Median Rent
$1,252/mo
Population
37,314
College Educated
39.3%
Homeownership
59%
Avg Commute
21.7 min
Poverty Rate
19.8%
Median Age
33.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sandhills School has a median household income of $58,854. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $183,200, with a median rent of $1,252/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.8%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| NORTH MYRTLE BEACH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Longs, SC | 7.1 |
| TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Greenville, SC | 7.0 |
| MIDLAND VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Graniteville, SC | 6.9 |
| NORTH WALTERBORO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Walterboro, SC | 6.9 |
| HAWTHORNE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Chester, SC | 6.7 |
| TEMPLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Anderson, SC | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sandhills School
What grades does Sandhills School serve?
Sandhills School serves students in grades 1st through 12th.
How many students attend Sandhills School?
Sandhills School has an enrollment of approximately 113 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sandhills School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sandhills School is 5.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Sandhills School rank in SC?
Sandhills School is ranked #47 out of 192 private schools in SC.
What is Sandhills School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sandhills School has a composite rating of 7.1 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.
Is Sandhills School a private school?
Yes, Sandhills School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Sandhills School a religious school?
No, Sandhills School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- 1st – 12th
- Enrollment
- 113
- Gender Split
- 60% M / 40% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 5.6 hours
- Days Per Year
- 175 days
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- RICHLAND
- Phone
- (803) 695-1400
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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