Top Private Schools in Columbia, SC
If you have children and are moving to the Columbia, South Carolina area, choosing the best school for them can seem overwhelming. The great news is that Columbia offers many excellent public and private schools to choose from. In this article, I’ll help make your school search easier by highlighting some of the top private schools in Columbia.
If you’re considering a private school for your child, it’s good to know that the average private school tuition in Columbia is $11,252 per academic year for elementary schools and $12,735 per academic year for high schools.1
Columbia offers a wide variety of private schools, and while most of them are religiously affiliated, some of them are non-sectarian, Montessori, alternative, or special education schools. So, no matter which type of school you’re looking for, you’ll be able to find it in the Columbia area. Now, let’s countdown my 5 top-rated private schools located in the capital of the Palmetto State!
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#5 - Cardinal Newman School
Cardinal Newman School is a highly-rated, Catholic secondary school located on Alpine Road in Columbia. It has 488 students in grades 7-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 9 to 1 and receives an A grade on Niche.com.4 This school is a member of the National Catholic Educational Association, Southern Association Of Colleges And Schools, and The South Carolina Independent School Association.5
According to Cardinal Newman School on Privateschoolreview.com, “With an emphasis on… strong academics, a dedication to service and traditional Catholic, Christian values, Cardinal Newman School provides a safe and structured environment which challenges all students to achieve personal excellence in every way.”5
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#4 - The Timmerman School
The Timmerman School is located in Forest Acres in Columbia and is a non-sectarian school for pre-K through 8th-grade students. It has a student-teacher ratio of 10 to 1 and an enrollment of 265 students. It receives a grade of “A+” from Niche.com and has excellent online reviews.2 The Timmerman school is in the top 20 percent of best private schools in the state and is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the State or Regional Independent School Association.1
According to Privateschoolreview.com, “The Timmerman School believes the child is an eager and willing participant in the action of learning if given a stimulating and nurturing environment. To foster this desire, the faculty, staff, and administration of Timmerman strive to provide a safe, creative, thought-provoking atmosphere in which a child can learn to wonder, question, create decision-making skills, and comprehend the meaning and function of the world around him or her.”1
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#3 - Ben Lippen School
Ben Lippen School is ranked #4 in Best Christian High Schools in South Carolina and has an A grade on Niche.com. It is also a boarding school for high school students and is the 3rd best boarding school for high schoolers in South Carolina.6 This Christian school with excellent online reviews has over 1,000 students in grades Pre-K through 12th grades and an 11 to 1 student-teacher ratio.6 It is located on Monticello Road in Columbia and is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International and the Southern Association Of Colleges and Schools.7
Ben Lippen’s mission on Privateschoolreview.com states, “Ben Lippen School seeks to glorify God by educating students from a Biblical worldview to impact the nations with the message of Christ and by assisting the family and church in equipping students spiritually, academically, socially, and physically under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.”7
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#2 - Hammond School
Hammond School is a non-sectarian school in Columbia and is among the top 20 percent of Private schools in the state. It is ranked #4 for Best Private High Schools in South Carolina and #3 for Best College Prep Private High Schools in South Carolina. It boasts an A+ grade on Niche.com and enrolls about 1,000 students in Pre-K through 12th grades.8
Hammond School is a member of many associations including the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the National Association of Independent Schools, the Southern Association Of Colleges And Schools, the National Association of College Admissions Counselors, and the Southern Association of Independent Schools.9
According to Hammond School Privateschoolreview.com, “Hammond School offers a college-preparatory curriculum that promotes the love of learning for a lifetime. The school embraces the Judeo-Christian tradition of moral and ethical values but respects all religious beliefs and traditions and seeks applicants of all races, religions, and nationalities. The mission of Hammond School is to instill in students a commitment to academic excellence and recognition of individual potential that will contribute to the development of their characters.” 9
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#1 - Heathwood Hall Episcopal School
Heathwood Hall Episcopal School is ranked #2 for Best Private Schools in South Carolina and #1 for Best College Prep Private High Schools in South Carolina by Niche.com.3 Heathwood Hall enrolls 880 students in Pre-K through 12th grades, and it has an 8 to 1 student-teacher ratio and a graduation rate of 100 percent. It is located on Beltline Boulevard in Columbia and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, and the State or Regional Independent School association.10
According to Heathwood Hall on Niche.com, the school “was founded in 1951 as an inclusive Episcopal school. For over 70 years, the school has pursued its mission to educate the whole child through a curriculum reinforced with service and experiential learning. Heathwood recognizes the dignity and individualism of each child and seeks to educate each student as a whole person, in mind, body, and spirit.” 3
These are just a handful of the many excellent private schools you will find in the Columbia area. As you begin taking the needed steps in planning to relocate I hope this article assists you in finding the best school for your child.
Author: Vanessa Pham
Graphic: Merryl Moore
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