For the 2025 school year, there are 40 public preschools serving 18,067 students in Columbia, SC.
The top ranked public preschools in Columbia, SC are Brockman Elementary School, Brennen Elementary School and Forest Lake Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Columbia, SC public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the South Carolina public pre school average of 47%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 48% statewide average). Pre schools in Columbia have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of South Carolina public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 88% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public preschool average of 54% (majority Black).
Best Public Preschools in Columbia, SC (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Brockman Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2245 Montclair Drive
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 790-6743
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 790-6743
Gr: PK-5 | 266 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #22.
Brennen Elementary School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4438 Devereaux Road
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 738-7204
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 738-7204
Gr: PK-5 | 792 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #33.
Forest Lake Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 56%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6801 Brookfield Road
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 782-0470
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 782-0470
Gr: PK-5 | 638 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #44.
Harbison West Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
257 Crossbow Drive
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 476-3800
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 476-3800
Gr: PK-5 | 507 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #55.
North Springs Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1300 Clemson Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 736-3183
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 736-3183
Gr: PK-5 | 672 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 91%
Rank: #66.
L. B. Nelson Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
225 North Brickyard Road
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8730
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8730
Gr: PK-5 | 553 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #77.
Pendergrass Fairwold School
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
5935 Token Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-3435
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-3435
Gr: PK-12 | 56 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #88.
Sandlapper Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1001 Longtown Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 691-4045
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 691-4045
Gr: PK-5 | 694 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #99.
Logan Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
815 Elmwood Avenue
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 343-2915
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 343-2915
Gr: PK-5 | 221 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1010.
Nursery Road Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6706 Nursery Road
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 476-4300
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 476-4300
Gr: PK-5 | 464 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1111.
A. C. Moore Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
333 Etiwan Avenue
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 343-2910
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 343-2910
Gr: PK-5 | 224 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1212.
Rice Creek Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4751 Hard Scrabble Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-2900
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-2900
Gr: PK-5 | 764 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1313.
Leaphart Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
120 Piney Grove Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 476-4700
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 476-4700
Gr: PK-5 | 501 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1414.
Meadowfield Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
525 Galway Lane
Columbia, SC 29209
(803) 738-5549
Columbia, SC 29209
(803) 738-5549
Gr: PK-5 | 610 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1515.
Polo Road Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1250 Polo Road
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 419-2226
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 419-2226
Gr: PK-5 | 659 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1616.
Joseph Keels Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
7500 Springcrest Drive
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8754
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8754
Gr: PK-5 | 478 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1717.
Killian Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2621 Clemson Road
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-2981
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-2981
Gr: PK-5 | 740 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #1818.
Jackson Creek Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
7150 Trenholm Road Extension
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 790-3800
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 790-3800
Gr: PK-5 | 586 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1919.
Annie Burnside Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
7300 Patterson Road
Columbia, SC 29209
(803) 783-5530
Columbia, SC 29209
(803) 783-5530
Gr: PK-5 | 319 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Bradley Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3032 Pinebelt Road
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 738-7200
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 738-7200
Gr: PK-5 | 413 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: #20 - 2120. - 21.
Carver-lyon Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2100 Waverly Street
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 343-2900
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 343-2900
Gr: PK-5 | 360 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #2222.
South Kilbourne Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1400 South Kilbourne Road
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 738-7215
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 738-7215
Gr: PK-5 | 289 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #2323.
Windsor Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
9800 Dunbarton Drive
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8723
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8723
Gr: PK-5 | 529 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #2424.
Seven Oaks Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2800 Ashland Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 476-8500
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 476-8500
Gr: PK-5 | 502 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #2525.
Mill Creek Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
925 Universal Drive
Columbia, SC 29209
(803) 783-5553
Columbia, SC 29209
(803) 783-5553
Gr: PK-5 | 329 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #2626.
Carolina School For Inquiry
Charter School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
7405-a Fairfield Road
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 691-1250
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 691-1250
Gr: PK-6 | 113 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #2727.
H. B. Rhame Elementary School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1300 Arrowwood Drive
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 731-8900
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 731-8900
Gr: PK-5 | 470 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #2828.
Edward E. Taylor Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
200 Mcrae Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 343-2974
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 343-2974
Gr: PK-5 | 222 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #2929.
L. W. Conder Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
8040 Hunt Club Road
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8720
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 736-8720
Gr: PK-5 | 472 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #3030.
Caughman Road Elementary School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
7725 Caughman Road
Columbia, SC 29209
(803) 783-5534
Columbia, SC 29209
(803) 783-5534
Gr: PK-5 | 742 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #3131.
Clear Dot Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2015 Marion Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 567-3075
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 567-3075
Gr: PK-10 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #3232.
Sandel Elementary School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2700 Seminole Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 731-8906
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 731-8906
Gr: PK-5 | 507 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #3333.
Forest Heights Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2500 Blue Ridge Terrace
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 691-3780
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 691-3780
Gr: PK-5 | 433 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
726 Easter Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-3417
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-3417
Gr: PK-5 | 353 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Arden Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1300 Ashley Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-3400
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-3400
Gr: PK-5 | 227 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Show 5 more public schools in Columbia, SC (out of 40 total schools)
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Columbia, South Carolina 51±¬ÁÏs (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Broad River Road Correctional Institution (Closed 2005)
Alternative School
4460 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2853
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2853
5900 Chesnut Rd
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 787-6815
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 787-6815
Gr: 2-6
Hall Institute (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
1800 Colonial Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 898-1488
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 898-1488
Gr: K-12 | 28 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
5616 Hood Street
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 787-8266
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 787-8266
Gr: 1-3 | 166 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
3801 North Main Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 929-1140
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 929-1140
Gr: K-5 | 132 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Kirkland High School (Closed 2004)
Alternative School
4344 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2714
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-2714
Gr: 9-12 | 121 students Student-teacher ratio: 121:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Midlands Arts Conservatory (Closed 2023)
Charter School
3806 North Main Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 630-1622
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 630-1622
Gr: 6-11 | 166 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Midlands Math And Business Academy Charter (Closed 2014)
Charter School
2638 Two Notch Rd
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 799-5101
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 799-5101
Gr: 4-8 | 79 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Morris Village High School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
610 Faison Drive
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 935-7100
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 935-7100
Gr: 7-12 | 20 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
200 Arbor Lake Drive Suite 301
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 735-9110
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 735-9110
Gr: 9-12 | 242 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
115 Atrium Way Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 227-6670
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 227-6670
Gr: 9-12 | 310 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
425 Summit Terrace Court Build
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 567-5634
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 567-5634
Gr: K-3 | 91 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Richland Two Charter High School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
7900 Brookmont Lane
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 419-1348
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 419-1348
Gr: 9-12 | 39 students Student-teacher ratio: 39:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Sc Virtual Charter School (Closed 2023)
Charter School
140 Stoneridge Drive Suite 420
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 253-6222
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 253-6222
Gr: K-12 | 3,503 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
3700 Forrest Drive Suite 406
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 462-0254
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 462-0254
Gr: K-8 | 226 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
2015 Marion Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 227-6422
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 227-6422
Gr: 6-11 | 140 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
501 Commerce Drive
Columbia, SC 29223
(866) 476-6416
Columbia, SC 29223
(866) 476-6416
Gr: 9-12 | 449 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Stevenson Correctional Institution (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
4546 Broad River Rd
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-1873
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 896-1873
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public preschools in Columbia, SC?
The top ranked public preschools in Columbia, SC include Brockman Elementary School, Brennen Elementary School and Forest Lake Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Columbia?
40 public preschools are located in Columbia.
What is the racial composition of students in Columbia?
Columbia public preschools minority enrollment is 88% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the South Carolina public preschools average of 54% (majority Black).
Which public preschools in Columbia are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Columbia include: Mill Creek Elementary School vs. Caughman Road Elementary School, Annie Burnside Elementary School vs. Meadowfield Elementary School, Arden Elementary School vs. A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary School
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