Total enrollment
49,097
-2,855 (-5%) vs SY 2017-18
80 schools in Columbia
South Carolina · Public K-12
Across Columbia, 80 public K-12 schools serve approximately 49,097 students across 43 elementary, 12 middle, and 19 high.
7-year change in Columbia
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
75
-1 (-1%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
25%
was 29%
% Hispanic
11%
was 7%
% Black
56%
was 57%
% Asian
2%
was 2%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
About Columbia
Public education in Columbia, South Carolina runs across 80 schools that educates roughly 49,097 students. By footprint, Columbia sits in the expansive bracket.
Looking at the level breakdown, the city consists of 43 elementary, 12 middle, 19 high, and 6 other.
Over the past 7-year window. Total public-school enrollment in Columbia has decreased 5% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 51,952 students to 49,097. Columbia now counts 75 public schools, down from 76 in SY 2017-18. On the demographic side, White enrollment moved from 29% to 25% over the same window.
On allk12, the community for Columbia discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Anyone with firsthand knowledge of these schools is welcome to weigh in.