Needs Improvement
#1115 of 1,176 schools in SC
Watkins-nance Elementary
Elementary School · Richland 01
2525 Barhamville Road, Columbia, SC 29204
Enrollment
435
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
435
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Columbia
#69 of 72
public schools
South Carolina elementary schools
#643 of 680
In district
#46 of 47
Richland 01
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Watkins-nance Elementary
Watkins-Nance Elementary is a regular public school located in Columbia, South Carolina, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 435 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child. Watkins-Nance has 30 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting young learners in their formative years.
Academically, Watkins-Nance Elementary is currently ranked #1159 out of 1192 schools in South Carolina, reflecting a focus on student development rather than solely on test scores. The school's ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 27%, and the Math proficiency rate is 22%. While these numbers indicate room for improvement, they underscore the commitment to nurturing a supportive learning environment that encourages growth.
Watkins-Nance Elementary is situated in the heart of Columbia, offering students easy access to local amenities and community resources. The school's setting within this mid-size city provides ample opportunities for engagement with diverse cultural and educational programs.
Score Breakdown
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Watkins-nance Elementary — Students at Watkins-nance Elementary score 20% 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: 2.2/10.
How Watkins-nance Elementary Compares
See how Watkins-nance Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
2525 Barhamville Road, Columbia, SC 29204
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Watkins-nance Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Logan Elementary (rated 8.9/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Carver-Lyon Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST PETERS CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| W. A. Perry Middle Columbia | 0.2 mi | 5.7 |
| C. A. Johnson High Columbia | 0.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Carver-Lyon Elementary Columbia | 0.7 mi | 8.3 |
| DANIELS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Columbia | 0.6 mi | — |
| CENTER FOR LEARNING INC Columbia | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Burton Pack Elementary Columbia | 1.2 mi | 5.4 |
| ST MARTIN DE PORRES SCHOOL Columbia | 1.3 mi | — |
| Arden Elementary Columbia | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Hyatt Park Elementary Columbia | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Bradley Elementary Columbia | 1.4 mi | 5.2 |
| Clear Dot Charter School Columbia | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
| W. G. Sanders Middle Columbia | 1.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Alcorn Middle Columbia | 1.9 mi | 4.2 |
| SONLIGHT HERITAGE ACADEMY Columbia | 1.7 mi | — |
| Eau Claire High Columbia | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy Columbia | 2.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Pendergrass Fairwold School Columbia | 2.2 mi | 8.6 |
| ST PETERS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Columbia | 2.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Logan Elementary Columbia | 2.0 mi | 8.9 |
| J. P. Thomas Elementary Columbia | 2.3 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29204 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$49,745
Median Home Value
$185,800
Median Rent
$993/mo
Population
18,067
College Educated
38.7%
Homeownership
59.1%
Avg Commute
20.3 min
Poverty Rate
21.7%
Median Age
36.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Watkins-nance Elementary has a median household income of $49,745. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $185,800, with a median rent of $993/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia, SC | 3.7 |
| Cherryvale Elementary Sumter, SC | 3.7 |
| LEAD Academy Greenville, SC | 3.7 |
| North Aiken Elementary Aiken, SC | 3.7 |
| Theodore Lester Elementary Florence, SC | 3.7 |
| Cotton Belt Elementary York, SC | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Watkins-nance Elementary
What grades does Watkins-nance Elementary serve?
Watkins-nance Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Watkins-nance Elementary?
Watkins-nance Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 435 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Watkins-nance Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Watkins-nance Elementary is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Watkins-nance Elementary rank in SC?
Watkins-nance Elementary is ranked #1115 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Watkins-nance Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Watkins-nance Elementary has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Watkins-nance Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Watkins-nance Elementary has 22.0% math proficiency and 27.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Watkins-nance Elementary a charter school?
No, Watkins-nance Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Watkins-nance Elementary a Title I school?
No, Watkins-nance Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Watkins-nance Elementary?
100.0% of students at Watkins-nance 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
- 435
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Richland County
- Phone
- (803) 733-4321
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Richland 01- District Enrollment
- 22,123
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,992
- District Rank
- #46 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.
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