E. L. Wright Middle

E. L. Wright Middle is a roomy K-5 school in Columbia, South Carolina, overseen by Richland 02. The school educates 1,275 students in grades K through 8. Compared to the state average of about 526 students per school, that is 142% larger than typical.

E. L. Wright Middle is one of 32 schools operated by Richland 02, a district that teaches 28,841 students overall.

Looking at the student body, E. L. Wright Middle logs that Black students make up the majority at 58%. Other groups include 16% Hispanic, 16% White, 6% Asian, 5% multiracial. That is visibly more Black than the county at large, where the share is closer to 47%.

In terms of school funding signals, E. L. Wright Middle reports 87 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 14.6:1. The state averages around 13.3:1, so this campus is higher than the state norm typical.

Around the school, ACS estimates for Richland County put median household income runs about $63,784, 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate sits near 12%. Across Richland County's 104 public schools (combined enrollment of about 60,410 students), E. L. Wright Middle is one campus in the mix.

The closest other public school is Windsor Elementary, roughly 0.5 miles away. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools.

The school occupies a residential site.

Looking at the recent track record. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at E. L. Wright Middle has shrank 6%, going from 1,356 students in 2018 to 1,275 in 2025. White enrollment moved from 23% to 16% across the same window. The student-to-teacher ratio fell from 16.2:1 in 2018 to 14.6:1 today.

In the discussion threads here, members of the E. L. Wright Middle community share and discuss classroom updates, athletics, and weather closures. Members of the school community can share what they know.