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Excellent

#9 of 192 private schools in SC

Top 4% of private schools

St Joseph School

Elementary School

3700 DEVINE ST, Columbia, SC 29205

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 70 schools in Columbia. Learn more

Enrollment

257

Student-Teacher

6.9:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Columbia

#3 of 13

public schools

South Carolina elementary schools

#5 of 65

About St Joseph School

St Joseph School serves 257 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in Columbia's 29205 zip code area. This elementary school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 6.9:1 with 37 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention than many larger schools. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, ranking #11 out of 192 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 95th percentile among South Carolina schools.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10, St Joseph School demonstrates strong educational outcomes for its student community. Located at 3700 Devine Street, the school serves a diverse neighborhood where 66% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a highly educated community. The area's median household income of $59,549 and median home value of $305,400 indicate a middle-class neighborhood, though the 19.6% poverty rate shows economic diversity among families.

The school's compact size creates opportunities for close student-teacher relationships and personalized learning approaches across the pre-K through sixth grade span. St Joseph School operates within Columbia's mid-size city environment, providing students with both educational excellence and the advantages of an urban setting while maintaining the intimate feel of a smaller school community.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 6.9:1, St Joseph 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, St Joseph 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.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How St Joseph School compares to 58 public schools serving similar grades in Columbia, SC

Student-Teacher Ratio
6.9:1
This School
vs
12.2:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
257
This School
vs
611
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.1
This School
vs
5.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 89.1% vs 0%
Hispanic 5.1% vs 0%
St Joseph School Columbia Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
St Joseph School (this school) 8.1
Rosewood Elementary 7.1
Brennen Elementary 6.2
Hand Middle 6.9
A. C. Moore Elementary 6.7
South Kilbourne Elementary 5.8
Crayton Middle 8.3
Brockman Elementary 8.4
Carver-Lyon Elementary 8.3
Meadowfield Elementary 5.6
Bradley Elementary 5.2
Watkins-Nance Elementary 3.7
W. A. Perry Middle 5.7
Satchel Ford Elementary 7.7
Clear Dot Charter School 5.7
W. G. Sanders Middle 6.4
Logan Elementary 8.9
Burton Pack Elementary 5.4
Annie Burnside Elementary 5.9
Hyatt Park Elementary 4.8
Arden Elementary 5.1

Showing 20 of 58 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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 8.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 6.9:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,440
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 5.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 19%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 257
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)

White 89.1%
Two or More 5.4%
Hispanic 5.1%
Native American 0.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

3700 DEVINE ST, Columbia, SC 29205

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St Joseph School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF COLUMBIA (rated 8.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Brockman Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Carver-Lyon Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
SHANDON UNITED METHODIST PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Columbia 0.2 mi
Dreher High Columbia 0.4 mi 8.5
Rosewood Elementary Columbia 0.7 mi 7.1
Richland One Charter Middle College Columbia 0.8 mi 5.3
KILBOURNE PARK BAPTIST CHURCH WEEKDAY PRESCHOOL Columbia 0.8 mi
Brennen Elementary Columbia 0.8 mi 6.2
Hand Middle Columbia 1.0 mi 6.9
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF COLUMBIA Columbia 1.1 mi 8.5
A. C. Flora High Columbia 1.4 mi 9.0
South Kilbourne Elementary Columbia 1.6 mi 5.8
A. C. Moore Elementary Columbia 1.4 mi 6.7
Crayton Middle Columbia 1.7 mi 8.3
Brockman Elementary Columbia 2.2 mi 8.4
ST MARTIN DE PORRES SCHOOL Columbia 2.0 mi
Bradley Elementary Columbia 2.3 mi 5.2
CENTER FOR LEARNING INC Columbia 2.4 mi 6.2
Carver-Lyon Elementary Columbia 2.3 mi 8.3
HARMONY SCHOOL Columbia 2.5 mi
Meadowfield Elementary Columbia 2.3 mi 5.6
C. A. Johnson High Columbia 2.5 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29205 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,197

Median Home Value

$335,200

Median Rent

$1,100/mo

Population

22,757

College Educated

66.3%

Homeownership

52.5%

Avg Commute

16.5 min

Poverty Rate

18.7%

Median Age

30

Community Profile

The community surrounding St Joseph School has a median household income of $62,197. It is a well-educated community where 66% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $335,200, with a median rent of $1,100/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.7%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
Charleston Development Academy Charleston, SC 8.1
Denmark-Olar Elementary Denmark, SC 8.1
Dr. Rose H. Wilder Elementary Summerton, SC 8.1
Gloverville Elementary Gloverville, SC 8.1
Kelly Edwards Elementary Williston, SC 8.1
Academy for Teaching and Learning Chester, SC 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St Joseph School

What grades does St Joseph School serve?

St Joseph School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend St Joseph School?

St Joseph School has an enrollment of approximately 257 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at St Joseph School?

The student-teacher ratio at St Joseph School is 6.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does St Joseph School rank in SC?

St Joseph School is ranked #9 out of 192 private schools in SC.

What is St Joseph School's MySchoolScout rating?

St Joseph School has a composite rating of 8.1 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 St Joseph School a private school?

Yes, St Joseph School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is St Joseph School a religious school?

St Joseph School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
69 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
31 Some Transit
Bike Score
62 Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,022/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
257
Gender Split
48% M / 52% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
6.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
8 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Midsize City
County
RICHLAND
Data Year
2022–2023

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 methodology

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