Below Average
#998 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
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
435
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
4.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#998 of 1,176
In Columbia
#57 of 72
public schools
In district
#34 of 47
Richland 01
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Watkins-nance Elementary
Elementary School in Columbia · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
W. A. Perry Middle
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
C. A. Johnson High
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Watkins-nance Elementary
Watkins-nance Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, SC, part of Richland 01. Watkins-nance Elementary serves approximately 435 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Watkins-nance Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #998 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for Watkins-nance Elementary show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.3 · Below Average
- District avg 5.2
- SC avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
37% of students at Watkins-nance Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 28 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: 4.3/10.
How Watkins-nance Elementary Compares
See how Watkins-nance Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. ST PETERS CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Logan Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Carver-Lyon Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 0.7 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 | 4.1 |
| C. A. Johnson High Columbia | 0.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Carver-Lyon Elementary Columbia | 0.7 mi | 6.3 |
| DANIELS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Columbia | 0.6 mi | — |
| CENTER FOR LEARNING INC Columbia | 0.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Burton Pack Elementary Columbia | 1.2 mi | 3.6 |
| ST MARTIN DE PORRES SCHOOL Columbia | 1.3 mi | — |
| Arden Elementary Columbia | 1.5 mi | 3.4 |
| Hyatt Park Elementary Columbia | 1.4 mi | 3.3 |
| Bradley Elementary Columbia | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Clear Dot Charter School Columbia | 1.6 mi | 5.6 |
| W. G. Sanders Middle Columbia | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Alcorn Middle Columbia | 1.9 mi | 4.4 |
| SONLIGHT HERITAGE ACADEMY Columbia | 1.7 mi | — |
| Eau Claire High Columbia | 1.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy Columbia | 2.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Pendergrass Fairwold School Columbia | 2.2 mi | 6.8 |
| ST PETERS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Columbia | 2.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Logan Elementary Columbia | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Chester Park Elementary School of Literacy and Technology Chester, SC | 4.3 |
| Grove Elementary Piedmont, SC | 4.3 |
| L. W. Conder Elementary Columbia, SC | 4.3 |
| Lake View Elementary Lake View, SC | 4.3 |
| Woodland Heights Elementary Spartanburg, SC | 4.3 |
| Alexander Elementary Greenville, SC | 4.2 |
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 ranks #998 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Watkins-nance Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Watkins-nance Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Watkins-nance Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Watkins-nance Elementary has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 37.0%
- Phone
- (803) 733-4321
Resources & Links
District
Richland 01- District Enrollment
- 22,123
- Schools in District
- 48
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,992
- District Rank
- #34 of 47
Other Schools in This District
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