For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 11,096 students in West Columbia, SC (there are 5 private schools, serving 409 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in West Columbia, SC are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
The top-ranked public schools in West Columbia, SC are Gray Collegiate Academy, Midlands Middle College and Airport High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
West Columbia, SC public schools have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the South Carolina public school average of 43%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in West Columbia have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public schools.
Minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public school average of 54% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in West Columbia, SC (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Gray Collegiate Academy
Charter School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3833 Leaphart Road
West Columbia, SC 29169
(803) 951-3321
West Columbia, SC 29169
(803) 951-3321
Gr: 6-12 | 935 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #22.
Midlands Middle College
Charter School
(Math: ≥80% | Reading: 60-79% )
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1260 Lexington Drive
West Columbia, SC 29170
(803) 822-3333
West Columbia, SC 29170
(803) 822-3333
Gr: 10-12 | 115 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #33.
Airport High School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1315 Boston Avenue
West Columbia, SC 29170
(803) 822-5600
West Columbia, SC 29170
(803) 822-5600
Gr: 9-12 | 1,272 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #44.
East Point Academy
Charter School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
Elementary Campus
West Columbia, SC 29169
(803) 926-5180
West Columbia, SC 29169
(803) 926-5180
Gr: PK-8 | 724 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #55.
Springdale Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
361 Wattling Road
West Columbia, SC 29170
(803) 739-4175
West Columbia, SC 29170
(803) 739-4175
Gr: PK-5 | 443 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #66.
Saluda River Academy For The Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1520 Duke Avenue
West Columbia, SC 29169
(803) 739-4095
West Columbia, SC 29169
(803) 739-4095
Gr: PK-5 | 400 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
Rank: #77.
Riverbank Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
160 Cougar Drive
West Columbia, SC 29169
(803) 936-3400
West Columbia, SC 29169
(803) 936-3400
Gr: PK-5 | 996 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #88.
White Knoll Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
132 White Knoll Way
West Columbia, SC 29170
(803) 821-4500
West Columbia, SC 29170
(803) 821-4500
Gr: PK-5 | 615 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #99.
Herbert A. Wood Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
737 Pine Ridge Drive
West Columbia, SC 29172
(803) 755-7420
West Columbia, SC 29172
(803) 755-7420
Gr: PK-5 | 938 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1010.
Congaree Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1221 Ramblin' Road
West Columbia, SC 29172
(803) 755-7430
West Columbia, SC 29172
(803) 755-7430
Gr: 2-5 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1111.
R. H. Fulmer Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1614 Walterboro St.
West Columbia, SC 29170
(803) 822-5660
West Columbia, SC 29170
(803) 822-5660
Gr: 6-8 | 526 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1212.
White Knoll Middle School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
116 White Knoll Way
West Columbia, SC 29170
(803) 821-4300
West Columbia, SC 29170
(803) 821-4300
Gr: 6-8 | 693 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1313.
Northside Middle School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
157 Cougar Drive
West Columbia, SC 29169
(803) 739-4190
West Columbia, SC 29169
(803) 739-4190
Gr: 6-8 | 528 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1414.
Pine Ridge Middle School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
735 Pine Ridge Drive
West Columbia, SC 29172
(803) 755-7400
West Columbia, SC 29172
(803) 755-7400
Gr: 6-8 | 379 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: n/an/a
Lexington Two Innovation Center
Vocational School
715 9th Street
West Columbia, SC 29169
(803) 936-5550
West Columbia, SC 29169
(803) 936-5550
Gr: 9-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in West Columbia, SC?
The top-ranked public schools in West Columbia, SC include Gray Collegiate Academy, Midlands Middle College and Airport High School.
How many public schools are located in West Columbia?
16 public schools are located in West Columbia.
What percentage of students in West Columbia go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in West Columbia are educated in public schools (compared to the SC state average of 92%).
What is the racial composition of students in West Columbia?
West Columbia public schools minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public schools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public schools in West Columbia are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in West Columbia include: Northside Middle School vs. R. H. Fulmer Middle School, Pine Ridge Middle School vs. R. H. Fulmer Middle School, R. H. Fulmer Middle School vs. Pine Ridge Middle School
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