📊 What this ranking measures
Rankings are based on academic achievement — the share of students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments (NCES EDFacts, 2021–22 for most districts), ranked against other districts in the same state — not on spending, district size, or staffing. See full methodology →
10 Rated Districts in the Columbia, SC Metro Area
EDFacts 2021–22 · percentile among South Carolina districts
| Metro Rank | District | District Office | Rating | State Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Lexington School District 5 | Irmo | 8/10 Good | 79th |
| #2 | Lexington School District 1 | Lexington | 8/10 Good | 75th |
| #3 | Richland School District 2 | Columbia | 7/10 Good | 69th |
| #4 | Kershaw County School District | Camden | 7/10 Good | 62nd |
| #5 | Saluda County School District | Saluda | 5/10 Average | 44th |
| #6 | Fairfield County School District | Winnsboro | 4/10 Below Average | 37th |
| #7 | Lexington School District 2 | West Columbia | 4/10 Below Average | 30th |
| #8 | Richland School District 1 | Columbia | 3/10 Below Average | 25th |
| #9 | Calhoun County School District | St. Matthews | 3/10 Below Average | 22nd |
| #10 | Lexington School District 4 | Swansea | 1/10 Poor | 9th |
Best School Districts in the Columbia, SC Metro Area (2026)
Counties are assigned to metropolitan areas using the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 delineation, and each district is placed in the county of its NCES directory listing. Ratings come from EDFacts 2021–22 (South Carolina) and are percentile-ranked within the district's own state. Always confirm your assignment by address.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-rated school district in the Columbia, SC metro area? ▼
Among the 10 rated districts in the Columbia, SC metro area, the highest-rated is Lexington School District 5 (Irmo), rated 8/10 (Good) and in the 79th percentile of South Carolina districts on EDFacts 2021–22 reading and math proficiency.
How are these rankings calculated? ▼
Each district's rating comes from the share of its students scoring proficient or above on state reading and math assessments, percentile-ranked against all rated districts in its state and converted to a 1–10 scale. Full methodology here.