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10 best high schools in the Columbia, Lexington area, US News & World Report says. Here’s why

A.C. Flora High School was named one of the best high schools in Columbia.
A.C. Flora High School was named one of the best high schools in Columbia. tglantz@thestate.com

If you’re looking for a reliable high school to place your kid in, we’ve got you covered.

Some of the best high schools in South Carolina are in Greater Columbia, with a few having the highest graduation rates, college readiness and test scores in the state.

Many high schools in the Columbia area are recognized for their academic excellence, according to U.S. News and World report.

Using metrics such as college readiness, state assessment proficiency and graduation rate, the nation’s leading online newsmagazine keeps track of the best high schools in each state.

These are the 10 best high schools in Greater Columbia, according to U.S. News and World Report:

10 best high schools in the Columbia area

#1. Spring Hill High School

Spring Hill High School is the best high school in the Columbia area, and it is the 4th-best high school in the state, with an 95% graduation rate. There are over 1,100 students at the award-winning school, and over 60% of the student body participated in an Advanced Placement course.

#2. Chapin High School

Chapin High School is the 7th-best high school in SC. The school has over 1,600 students and an 96% graduation rate. More than half of the student body has taken at least one Advanced Placement class.

#3. Dutch Fork High School

Dutch Fork High School is the 14th best high school in SC, with around 1,700 students and a graduation rate of 85%. Around half of the school’s student body has taken an Advanced Placement class.

While it’s an award-winning school, 51% of students are reportedly economically disadvantaged.

#4. Dreher High School

Dreher High School is the 18th-best high school in SC. The school has over 1,100 students and an 88% graduation rate. Only 44% of the students have taken at least one Advanced Placement class, but the school ranked 22nd in the state for college readiness.

#5. A.C. Flora High School

A.C. Flora High School is the 19th-best high school in SC. The school has over 1,300 students and a graduation rate of 86%. Slightly more than half of the student body has taken at least one Advanced Placement class.

The school ranked 10th in the state for its college readiness, and 100% of students are economically disadvantaged.

#6. Blythewood High School

Blythewood High School is ranked 26th within SC and has over 2,100 students. The school’s graduation rate is 92%.

Only 36% of students have taken an Advanced Placement class, and 25% of students have passed at least one Advanced Placement exam.

#7. Lexington High School

Lexington High School is the 32nd-best high school in SC. The school has over 2,400 students and an 93% graduation rate.

Around 40% of the student body has taken an Advanced Placement class, and 26% of students are economically disadvantaged.

#8. Spring Valley High School

Spring Valley High School is the 34th-best high school in SC. The school has over 2,300 students and an 86% graduation rate.

A little less than half of its student body, 45%, took at least one Advanced Placement class. Around 44% of students are economically disadvantaged.

#9. River Bluff High School

River Bluff High School is ranked 36th within SC. With over 2,100 students, the school has a graduation rate of 95%.

A good chunk of its student body, 60%, took at least one Advanced Placement class, and 26% of students are economically disadvantaged. However, River Bluff High School ranked low in State Assessment Performance, tying for 172nd in the state.

#10. Ridge View High School

Ridge View High School is the 66th-best high school in SC, and it has nearly 1,700 students. The school has a graduation rate of 91%.

Less than a third of its student body has taken at least one Advanced Placement class. Around 20% of students have passed an Advanced Placement exam, and 49% of students are economically disadvantaged.

DB
Damian Bertrand
The State
Damian Bertrand is a service journalism reporter covering South Carolina for McClatchy Media. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of South Carolina.
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