The school districts in Richland, Lexington and Kershaw counties are among some of the state’s fastest-growing school systems. Richland County is home to two districts and shares part of a third with neighboring Lexington County. Including the shared district, Lexington County has five. Kershaw County has one.

Kershaw

The Kershaw County school system serves close to 10,000 students in 20 schools throughout the county. Herbert Berg is serving his third year as superintendent. Noteworthy among his changes is his decision to bring in an outside review team to help improve operations and his development of “blueprints” for success for elementary and middle schools to help more students succeed.

The district’s main objective for the past 10 years has been to achieve top-10 status in student achievement as measured by state-required tests. The district has made significant improvements in its SAT and PACT scores but still has work to do.

For the third year in a row, the district has achieved an overall rating of “good” on its report card, up from “average” in 2002. The district’s efforts to reduce student-to-teacher ratio in classrooms have been stymied by state budget cuts, but district officials are looking for funding to improve technology in the classrooms and have implemented an Internet-based program to give teachers more feedback to better help students.

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

1301 DuBose Court, Camden, 29202; (803) 432-8416; www.kershaw.k12.sc.us

Superintendent: Herbert Berg

Number of students: About 9,900

2003 SAT average: 1020

Percentage of students who met the standard for high school exit exam: 79.3 percent

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Baron DeKalb

2684 Baron DeKalb Road, Camden, 29020; (803) 432-2483; www.bdk.kcsdschools.com

Enrollment: 254

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Bethune

302 Norwood St. East, Bethune, 29009; (843) 334-6278; www.bet.kcsdschools.com

Enrollment: 117

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, below average

Blaney

1621 Smyrna Road, P.O. Box 99, Elgin, 29045; (803) 438-3241 www.bes.kcsdschools.com

Enrollment: 561

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, below average

Camden Elementary School for the Creative Arts

1304 Lyttleton St., Camden, 29020; (803) 425-8960; www.ces.kcsdschools.com

Enrollment: 517

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Doby’s Mill

1964 Fort Jackson Road, Lugoff, 29078; (803) 438-4055; www.kershaw.k12.sc.us/dme

Enrollment: 572

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, below average

Jackson School

1109 Campbell St., Camden, 29020; (803) 425-8965; www.kershaw.k12.sc.us/jes

Enrollment: 444

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Lugoff

994 Ridgeway Road, P.O. Box 38, Lugoff, 29078; (803) 438-8000; www.kershaw.k12.sc.us/les

Enrollment: 566

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, good

Midway

1892 Highway 1 N., Cassatt, 29032; (803) 432-6122; www. mdw.kcsdschools.com

Enrollment: 344

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Mount Pisgah

5160 Mt. Pisgah Road, Kershaw, 29067; (803) 475-6791; www.mtp.kcsdschools.com

Enrollment: 144

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Pine Tree Hill

938 Bishopville Highway, Camden, 29020; (803) 425-8970; www.kershaw.k12.sc.us/pth

Enrollment: 620

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Wateree

424 Wildwood Lane, P.O. Box 97, Lugoff, 29078; (803) 438-8018; www.wes.kcsdschools.com

Enrollment: 509

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, below average

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Camden

416 Laurens St., Camden, 29020; (803) 425-8975; www.cms.kcsdschools.com

Enrollment: 823

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, below average

Lugoff-Elgin

1244 Highway 1 South, P.O. Box 68, Lugoff, 29078; (803) 438-3591; www.lms.kcsdschools.com

Enrollment: 547

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, below average

North Central

805 Keys Lane, Kershaw, 29067; (803) 424-2740; www.ncm.kcsdschools.com

Enrollment: 457

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, below average; improvement rating, below average

Stover

1649 Smyrna Road, P.O. Box 1220, Elgin, 29045; (803) 438-7414; www.sto.kcsdschools.com

Enrollment: 528

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, below average

HIGH SCHOOLS

Camden

1022 Ehrenclou Drive, Camden, 29020; (803) 425-8930; www.kershaw.k12.sc.us/chs

Enrollment: 1,057

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, excellent

Lugoff-Elgin

1284 Highway 1 South, P.O. Box 278, Lugoff, 29078; (803) 438-3481; www.lhs.kcsdschools.com

Enrollment: 1,383

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, good

North Central

3000 Lockhart Road, Kershaw, 29067; (803) 432-9858; www.nch.kcsdschools.com

Enrollment: 506

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, excellent

Applied Technology Education

874 Vocational Lane, Camden, 29020; (803) 425-8982; www.atec.kcsdschools.com

Enrollment: 825

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, good

Lexington 1

Lexington District 1 is the largest in Lexington County and is among the fastest-growing school districts in the state. The 19,100-student district continues to grow by an average of 500 students a year.

Lexington 1’s 20 schools serve the Lexington, White Knoll, Gilbert and Pelion attendance areas. The district has a reputation for academic excellence and a well-rounded program that includes foreign language at the middle and elementary school levels. Its students continue to exceed the state and national SAT score averages. The district is also amid a school construction program that will lead to five new schools, including two in the Pleasant Hill area slated to open in August 2006. Nearly 70 percent of Lexington 1’s teachers have master’s degrees or higher.

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

100 Tarrar Springs Road, Lexington, 29701; (803) 359-4178; www.lexington1.net

Superintendent: Karen Woodward

Number of students: about 18,300

2004 SAT average: 1058

Percentage of students who met the standard for high school exit exam: 88.6 percent

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Gilbert Primary

(Grades K-2)

520 Main St., Gilbert, 29054; (803) 892-1200; ww.lexington1.net/gps

Enrollment: 563

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating: good

Gilbert Elementary

314 Main St., Gilbert, 29054; (803) 892-1000; www.lexington1.net/ges/geshp.htm

Enrollment: 588

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, below average

Lake Murray

205 Wise Ferry Road, Lexington, 29054; (803) 808-1545; www.lexington1.net/lme

Enrollment: 1,074

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, good

Lexington

116 Azalea Drive, Lexington, 29072; (803) 359-4123; www.lexington1.net/les

Enrollment: 1,003

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, good

Lexington Intermediate

(Grades 5-6)

420 Hendrix St., Lexington, 29073; (803) 359-5128; www.lexington1.net/lis/lishp.htm

Enrollment: 359

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, excellent

Midway

180 Midway Road, Lexington, 29036; (803) 951-8770; www.lexington1.net/mes/meshp.htm

Enrollment: 924

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, good

Oak Grove

479 Oak Drive, Lexington, 29073; (803)356-0220; www.lexington1.net/oge/ogehp.htm

Enrollment: 425

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, excellent

Pelion

1202 Pine St., Pelion, 29123; (803) 894-2000; www.lexington1.net/pes/peshp.htm

Enrollment: 880

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, good

Red Bank

246 Community Drive, Lexington, 29073; (803) 359-6101; www.lexington1.net/rbe

Enrollment: 914

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Saxe Gotha

100 Bill Williamson Court, Lexington, 29073; (803) 957-7022; www.lexington1.net/sge/sgehp.htm

Enrollment: 728

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, good

White Knoll

132 White Knoll Way, West Columbia, 29170; (803) 957-7700; www.lexington.net/wke/wkehp.htm

Enrollment: 923

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, average

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Gilbert

120 Rikard Circle, Gilbert, 29054; (803) 892-1050; www.lexington1.net/gms

Enrollment: 660

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, below average

Lexington

702 North Lake Drive, Lexington, 29072; (803) 359-6169; www.lexington1.net/lms

Enrollment: 1,590

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, good

Pelion

758 Magnolia St., Pelion, 29123; (803) 894-2050; www.lexington1.net/pms/pmshp.htm

Enrollment: 893

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

White Knoll

116 White Knoll Way, West Columbia, 29170; (803) 957-4400; www.lexington1.net/wkm/wkmhp.htm

Enrollment: 1,373

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, below average

HIGH SCHOOLS

Gilbert

840 Main St., Gilbert, 29054; (803) 892-1100; www.lexington1.net/ghs/ghshp.htm

Enrollment: 851

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, excellent

Lexington

2463 Augusta Highway, Lexington, 29072; (803) 359-5565; www.lexington1.net/lhs

Enrollment: 2,179

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, excellent

Pelion

600 Lydia Drive, Pelion, 29123; (803) 894-2100; www.lexington1.net/phs

Enrollment: 704

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, excellent

White Knoll

5643 Platt Springs Road, Lexington, 29073; (803) 996-4500; www.lexington1.net/wkh

Enrollment: 1,665

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, excellent

Lexington 2

Lexington District 2 covers Cayce, West Columbia and Springdale in east central Lexington County. About 9,000 students attend the district’s 17 schools. Enrollment has remained steady during the past decade.

A $50 million bond package voters passed in 2002 is paying to improve all of the district’s schools and to build a new Busbee Middle School in West Columbia. The district received a “good” absolute rating on the 2004 state report card and an “unsatisfactory” improvement rating.

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

715 Ninth St., West Columbia, 29169; (803) 796-4708; www.lex2.org

Superintendent: Barry Bolen

Number of students: about 8,700

2004 SAT average: 1013

Percentage of students who met the standard for high school exit exam: 80.3 percent

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Congaree/Wood Early Childhood Center

739 Pine Ridge Drive, West Columbia, 29172; (803) 755-7474 www.cwec.lex2.org

Enrollment: 453

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, good

B-C Grammar Number 1

114 Hook Ave., West Columbia, 29169; (803) 739-4075; www.bc.lex2.org

Enrollment: 327

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Claude A. Taylor

103 Ann Lane, Cayce, 29033; (803)739-4180; www.tay.lex2.org

Enrollment: 417

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, below average

Congaree

1221 Ramblin Road, West Columbia, 29172; (803) 755-7430; www.cong.lex2.org /

Enrollment: 354

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, average

George I. Pair

2325 Platt Springs Road, West Columbia, 29169; (803) 739-4085; www.pair.lex2.org

Enrollment: 293

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, below average

Herbert A. Wood

737 Pine Ridge Drive, West Columbia, 29172; (803) 755-7420; www.wood.lex2.org

Enrollment: 511

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, below average

Pineview

3035 Leaphart Road, West Columbia, 29169; (803) 739-4090; www.pvw.lex2.org

Enrollment: 481

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, below average

R. Earle Davis

2305 Frink St., Cayce, 29033; (803) 739-4080; www.dav.lex2.org

Enrollment: 349

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Saluda River Academy for the Arts1

1520 Duke St., West Columbia, 29169; (803) 739-4095; www.sr.lex2.org

Enrollment: 414

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, below average

Springdale

361 Wattling Road, West Columbia, 29170; (803) 739-4175; www.spr.lex2.org

Enrollment: 423

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, good

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Cyril B. Busbee

1407 Dunbar Road, Cayce, 29033; (803) 739-4070; www.bms.lex2.org

Enrollment: 367

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Northside

157 Cougar Drive, West Columbia, 29169; (803) 739-4190; www.nms.lex2.org

Enrollment: 648

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, average

Pine Ridge

735 Pine Ridge Drive, West Columbia, 29172; (803) 755-7400; www.prms.lex2.org /

Enrollment: 461

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, good

R.H. Fulmer

1614 Walterboro St., West Columbia, 29170; (803) 822-5660; www.fms.lex2.org

Enrollment: 648

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, below average

HIGH SCHOOLS

Airport

1315 Boston Ave., West Columbia, 29170; (803)822-5600; www.ahs.lex2.org

Enrollment: 1,373

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, average

Brookland-Cayce

1300 State St., Cayce, 29033; (803) 791-5000; www.bchs.lex2.org

Enrollment: 1,192

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, excellent

Lexington 3

The county’s smallest district, Lexington 3 serves the rural town of Batesburg-Leesville, as well as a small portion of eastern Saluda County.

Over the past decade, the district has constructed a new middle school, elementary school and fine arts center.

Drucilla Long, former principal of Batesburg-Leesville Middle School, retired over the summer after 40 years in education. She has been replaced by Herbert “Bert” Smith.

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

338 West Columbia Ave., Batesburg-Leesville, 29006; 803-532-4423; www.lex3.k12.sc.us

Superintendent: William Gummerson

Number of students: about 2,168

2004 SAT average: 997

Percentage of students who met the standard for high school exit exam: 75.5 percent

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Batesburg-Leesville Primary

800 Summerland Ave., Batesburg-Leesville, 29006; (803) 532-4452; www.lex3.k12.sc.us/blps

Enrollment: 474 students

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, good

Batesburg-Leesville Elementary

403 South Lee St., Batesburg-Leesville, 29070; (803) 532-1155; www.lex3.k12.sc.us/bles

Enrollment: 534 students

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Batesburg-Leesville

425 Shealy Road, Batesburg-Leesville, 29006; (803) 532-3831; www.lex3.k12.sc.us/blms

Enrollment: 571

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, good

HIGH SCHOOLS

Batesburg-Leesville

600 Summerland Ave., Batesburg-Leesville, 29006; (803) 532-9251; www.lex3.k12.sc.us/blhs.htm

Enrollment: 618 students

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, excellent

Lexington 4

This rural district serves the towns of Gaston and Swansea in the southeastern portion of Lexington County.

Lexington 4, like Lexington 1, is also among the state’s fastest-growing districts. Although it has had a large influx of students over the past several years, the increase in local tax revenue has not kept pace. This has resulted in a funding crisis for the district because it depends heavily on state funds, which have been severely cut across the board. The district is party to a lawsuit filed against the state by many rural S.C. districts alleging the state is not funding those districts adequately.

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

607 E. Fifth St., Swansea, 29160; (803) 568-1000; www.lexington4.net

Superintendent: J. Franklin Vail

Number of students: About 3,362

2004 SAT average: 984

Percentage of students who met the standard for high school exit exam: 64.1 percent

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Frances Mack Primary

161 Gaston St., Gaston, 29053; (803) 794-8369; www.lexington4.net/fps

Enrollment: 461

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, excellent

Swansea Primary

1195 I.W. Hutto Road, Swansea, 29160; (803) 568-1050; www.lexington4.net/sps

Enrollment: 330

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, excellent

Sandhills

130 Lewis Rast Road, Swansea, 29160; (803) 568-1200; www.lexington4.net/ses

Enrollment: 540

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Sandhills Intermediate

140 Lewis Rast Road, Swansea, 29160; (803) 568-1250; www.lexington4.net/sis

Enrollment: 574

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, below average

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Sandhills

582 Meadowfield Road, Gaston, 29053; (803) 926-1890; www.lexington4.net/sms

Enrollment: 550

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, below average; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

HIGH SCHOOLS

Swansea

500 E. 1st St., Swansea, 29053; (803) 568-1100; www.lexington4.net/shs

Enrollment: 907

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, below average; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Lexington-Richland 5

This suburban district serves the Chapin-Dutch Fork-Irmo area nestled between Lake Murray and downtown Columbia. The community has one of South Carolina’s lowest poverty rates.

Lexington-Richland 5 considers itself the state’s top school district. More than 90 percent of its graduates go on to attend college, and college entrance exam scores are consistently among the state’s best. In addition to strong academic programs, the district offers a variety of extracurricular activities that include championship-level sports teams and nationally acclaimed music programs.

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

1020 Dutch Fork Road, Ballentine, 29002; (803) 732-8000; www.lex5.k12.sc.us

Superintendent: Lee Bollman (interim)

Number of students: about 15,4 00

2004 SAT average: 1078

Percentage of students who met the standard for high school exit exam: 91.3 percent

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Ballentine

1040 Bickley Road, Irmo, 29063; (803) 732-8251; www.lex5.k12.sc.us/bes/

Enrollment: 653

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, good

Chapin

940 Old Bush River Road, Chapin, 29036; (803) 345-2214; www.lex5.k12.sc.us/ces/

Enrollment: 597

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, excellent

Dutch Fork

7900 Broad River Road, Irmo, 29063; (803) 732-8075; www.lex5.k12.sc.us/dfes/

Enrollment: 508

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, excellent

H.E. Corley

1500 Chadford Road, Irmo, 29063; (803) 732-8175; www.lex5.k12.sc.us/hec/

Enrollment: 637

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, below average

Harbison West

257 Crossbow Drive, Columbia, 29212; (803) 732-8375; www.lex5.k12.sc.us/hwes/

Enrollment: 505

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Irmo

7401 Gibbes St., Irmo, 29063; (803) 732-8275; www.lex5.k12.sc.us/ies/

Enrollment: 557

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, good

Lake Murray

1531 Three Dog Road, Chapin, 29036; (803) 732-8151; www.lex5.k12.sc.us/lmes/

Enrollment: 713

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, good

Leaphart

120 Piney Grove Road, Columbia, 29210; (803) 798-0030; www.lex5.k12.sc.us/les/

Enrollment: 595

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Nursery Road

6706 Nursery Road, Columbia, 29212; (803)732-8475; www.lex5.k12.sc.us.nres/

Enrollment: 696

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

River Springs

115 Connie Wright Road, Irmo, 29063; (803) 732-8147; www.lex5.k12.sc.us.res/

Enrollment: 860

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, good

Seven Oaks

2800 Ashland Road, Columbia, 29210; (803) 798-6500; www.lex5.k12.sc.us/soes/

Enrollment: 497

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Chapin

1130 Old Lexington Highway, Chapin, 29036; (803) 345-1466; www.lex5.k12.sc.us/cms

Enrollment: 774

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, good

CrossRoads

6949 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, 29212; (803) 732-8300; www.lex5.k12.sc.us/crms

Enrollment: 1,029 (grade 6 only)

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, excellent

Dutch Fork

1528 Old Tamah Road, Irmo, 29063;(803) 732-8167; www.lex5.k12.sc.us/dfms

Enrollment: 1,100 (grades 7 and 8)

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Irmo

6051 Westcott Road, Columbia, 29212; (803) 732-8200; www.lex5.k12.sc.us/ims

Enrollment: 995 (grades 7 and 8)

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

HIGH SCHOOLS

Chapin

300 Columbia Ave., Chapin, 29036; (803) 345-2246; www.lex5.k12.sc.us/chs

Enrollment: 958

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, excellent

Dutch Fork

1400 Old Tamah Road, Irmo, 29063; (803) 732-8050; www.lex5.k12.sc.us/dfhs

Enrollment: 1,918

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, excellent

Irmo

6671 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, 29212; (803) 732-8100; www.lex5.k12.sc.us/ihs

Enrollment: 1,816

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, excellent

Richland 1

The largest district in the Midlands, Richland 1 covers Columbia, Forest Acres and the Lower Richland communities. With 50 schools and more than 25,000 K-12 students, it is the state’s fourth-largest district.

The passage of the record-breaking bond referendum in 2002 will mean upgrades to the district’s 16 middle and high schools during the next five years. Upgrades to all of the elementary schools were recently completed.

Among Richland 1 honors: Hand Middle School was named a Blue Ribbon school by the U.S. Department of Education in 2000. Dreher High’s principal Jeanne Stiglbauer is South Carolina’s only National Distinguished Principal. The district also has an award- winning arts education program and one of 29 Challenger Learning Centers in the nation.

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

1616 Richland St., Columbia, 29201; (803)231-7000; www.richlandone.org

Superintendent: Allen Coles

Number of students: About 25, 200

2004 SAT average: 986

Percentage of students who met the standard for high school exit exam: 62.5 percent

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

A.C. Moore

333 Etiwan Ave., Columbia, 29205; (803) 343-2910; www.richlandone.org/acmoore

Enrollment: 312

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, below average

A. J. Lewis Greenview

726 Easter St., Columbia, 29203; (803) 735-3417; www.richlandone.org/lewis-greenview

Enrollment: 480

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating,good

Annie Burnside

7300 Patterson Road, Columbia, 29209; (803)783-5530; www.richlandone.org/burnside

Enrollment: 229

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, below average; improvement rating, below average

Arden

1300 Ashley St., Columbia, 29203; (803) 735-3400; www.richlandone.org/arden

Enrollment: 354

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, good

Bradley

3032 Pine Belt Road, Columbia 29204; (803)738-7200; www.richlandone.org/Bradley2/

Enrollment: 370

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Brennen

4438 Devereaux Road, Columbia, 29205; (803) 738-7204; www.richlandone.org/brennen

Enrollment: 700

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, good

Brockman

2245 Montclair Drive, Columbia, 29206; (803) 790-6743; www.richlandone.org/brockman

Enrollment: 225

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Burton-Pack

111 Garden Drive, Columbia, 29204; (803) 691-5550; www.richlandone.org/burtonpack

Enrollment: 435

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, good

Carver-Lyon

2100 Waverly St., Columbia, 29204; (803) 343-2900; www.richlandone.org/carverlyon

Enrollment: 335

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, below average; improvement rating, below average

Caughman Road

7725 Caughman Road, Columbia, 29209; (803) 783-5534; www.richlandone.org/caughman

Enrollment: 586

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Edward E. Taylor

200 McRae St., Columbia, 29203; (803) 343-2924; www.richlandone.org/eetaylor

Enrollment: 224

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, below average; improvement rating, below average

Forest Heights

2500 Blue Ridge Terrace, Columbia, 29203; (803) 691-3780; www.richlandone.org/forestheights

Enrollment: 559

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, below average

Gadsden

1660 S. Goodwin Circle, Gadsden, 29052; (803) 353-2231; www.richlandone.org/gadsden

Enrollment: 176

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, good

H. B. Rhame

1300 Arrowwood Road, Columbia, 29210; (803) 731-8900; www.richlandone.org/schools/rhame

Enrollment: 415

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, good

Hopkins

6120 Cabin Creek Road, Hopkins, 29061; (803) 783-5541; www.richlandone.org/hopkinselementary/hopkins2002

Enrollment: 360

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, good

Horrell Hill

517 Horrell Hill Road, Hopkins, 29061; (803) 783-5545; www.richlandone.org/horrellhill

Enrollment: 571

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Hyatt Park

4200 Main St., Columbia, 29203; (803) 735-3421; www.richlandone.org/hyattpark

Enrollment: 584

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, below average; improvement rating, below average

John P. Thomas

6001 Weston Ave., Columbia, 29203; (803) 735-3430; www.richlandone.org/jpthomas

Enrollment: 453

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, below average; improvement rating, below average

Logan

815 Elmwood Ave., Columbia, 29201; (803) 343-2915; www.richlandone.org/logan

Enrollment: 192

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, below average; improvement rating, below average

Meadowfield

525 Galway Lane, Columbia, 29209; (803) 783-5549; www.richlandone.org/meadowfield

Enrollment: 628

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, below average

Pine Grove

111 Huffstetler Drive, Columbia, 29210; (803) 214-2380; www.richlandone.org/pinegrove

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Mill Creek

925 Universal Drive, Columbia, 29209; (803) 783-5553; www.richlandone.org/millcreek

Enrollment: 303

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, below average

Rosewood

3300 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, 29205; (803) 343-2930; www.richlandone.org/rosewood

Enrollment: 365

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Sandel

2700 Seminole Road, Columbia, 29210; (803) 731-8906; www.richlandone.org/sandel

Enrollment: 551

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, below average

Satchel Ford

5901 Satchel Ford Road, Columbia, 29206; (803) 738-7209; www.richlandone.org/sfes/default.htm

Enrollment: 646

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, good

South Kilbourne

1400 S. Kilbourne Road, Columbia, 29205; (803) 738-7215; www.richlandone.org/skilbourne/

Enrollment: 269

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Watkins-Nance

2612 Covenant Road, Columbia, 29204; (803) 733-4321; www.richlandone.org/watkins-nance

Enrollment: 439

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, below average; improvement rating, below average

Webber

140 Webber School Road, Eastover, 29044; (803) 353-8771; www.richlandone.org/webber/english-flies/english.htm

Enrollment: 397

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, good

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Alcorn

5125 Fairfield Road, Columbia, 29203; (803) 735-3439; http://alcorn.rcsd1.org

Enrollment: 519

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, unsatisfactory; improvement rating, below average

Crayton

5000 Clemson Ave., Columbia, 29206; (803) 738-7224; http://crayton.rcsd1.org

Enrollment: 1,009

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, below average

Hand

2600 Wheat St., Columbia, 29205; (803) 343-2947; http://hand.rcsd1.org

Enrollment: 933

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, below average

Heyward Gibbes

3602 Thurmond St., Columbia 29204; (803) 343-2942; http://gibbes.rcsd1.org

Enrollment: 416

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, unsatisfactory; improvement rating, below average

Hopkins

1601 Clarkson Road, Hopkins, 29061; (803) 695-3331; http://hopkins.rcsd1.org

Enrollment: 517

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, below average; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Southeast

731 Horrell Hill Road, Hopkins, 29061; (803) 695-5700; http://southeast.rcsd1.org

Enrollment: 750

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, below average; improvement rating, below average

St. Andrews

1231 Bluefield Road, Columbia, 29210; (803) 731-8910; http://sams.rcsd1.org

Enrollment: 830

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, below average; improvement rating, below average

W.A. Perry

2600 Barhamville Road, Columbia, 29204; (803) 256-6347; http://perry.rcsd1.org

Enrollment: 397

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, unsatisfactory; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

W.G. Sanders

136 Alida St., Columbia, 29203; (803) 735-3445; http://sanders.rcsd1.org

Enrollment: 567

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, below average; improvement rating, below average

HIGH SCHOOLS

A.C. Flora

1 Falcon Drive, Columbia, 29204; (803) 738-7300; http://flora.rcsd1.org

Enrollment: 1,350

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, good

C. A. Johnson

2219 Barhamville Road, Columbia, 29204; (803) 253-7092; http://johnson.rcsd1.org

Enrollment: 519

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, unsatisfactory; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Columbia

1701 Westchester Drive, Columbia, 29210; (803) 731-8950; http://columbia.rcsd1.org

Enrollment: 864

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, excellent

Dreher

701 Adger Road, Columbia, 29205; (803) 253-7000; http://dreher.rcsd1.org

Enrollment: 1,300

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, excellent

Eau Claire

4800 Monticello Road, Columbia, 29203; (803) 735-7600; http://eauclaire.rcsd1.org

Enrollment: 981

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, unsatisfactory; improvement rating, excellent

Lower Richland

2615 Lower Richland Blvd., Hopkins, 29061; (803) 695-3000; http://lr.rcsd1.org

Enrollment: 1,664

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, excellent

W. J. Keenan

3455 Pine Belt Road, Columbia, 29204; (803) 738-7232; http://keenan.rcsd1.org

Enrollment: 89 **SEE CORRECTION**

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, excellent

Richland 2

Richland School District 2’s skyrocketing enrollment has made it one of the fastest-growing districts in the state, along with Lexington 1 and Lexington 4. It serves about 19,000 students in Northeast Richland and grows each year by 600 to 700 students. Round Top Elementary opened in fall 2003, and Kelly Mill Middle opened in 2004, and Blythewood High opened last month..

Richland 2’s schools and centers continue to win recognition at the state and national levels. In 2003, all three district high schools improved their SAT scores, and the district average matched the national average of 1026. Richland 2, along with Lexington 1 and Lexington-Richland 5, earned the highest score possible, two “excellent” ratings, on the 2003 state school report card.

ABOUT THE DISTRICT

6831 Brookfield Road , Columbia, 29206; (803) 787-1910; fax (803) 738-7374; www.richland2.org

Superintendent: Stephen Hefner

Number of students: About 19,000

2004 SAT average: 1010

Percentage of students who met the standard for high school exit exam: 80.6

MAGNET CENTERS

Center for Inquiry

Located at Summit Parkway Middle School 2001/2 Summit Parkway, Columbia, 29229; (803) 699-2969; www.richland2.org/cfi/

Enrollment: 131

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, good

Center for Knowledge

Located at E.L. Wright Middle School 27401/2 Alpine Road, Columbia; (803) 699-2966; www.richland2.org/cfk/

Enrollment: 132

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, good

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Bethel-Hanberry

125 Boney Road, Blythewood, 29016; (803) 691-6880; www.richland2.org/bhe/

Enrollment: 633

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Bookman Road

1245 Bookman Road, Elgin, 29045; (803) 699-1724; www.richland2.org/bre/

Enrollment: 619

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, good

Conder

8040 Hunt Club Road, Columbia, 29223; (803) 736-8720; www.richland2.org/ce/

Enrollment: 633

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Forest Lake

6801 Brookfield Road, Columbia, 29206; (803) 782-0470; www.richland2.org/fle/

Enrollment: 571

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Joseph Keels

7500 Springcrest Drive, Columbia, 29223; (803) 736-8754; www.richland2.org/jke/

Enrollment: 630

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Killian

2621 Clemson Road, Columbia, 29229; (803) 699-2981; www.richland2.org/ke/

Enrollment: 458

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

Lake Carolina

1151 Kelly Mill Road, Blythewood, 29016; (803)714-1300; www.richland2.org/lce/

Enrollment: 614

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, excellent

Lonnie B. Nelson

225 N. Brickyard Road, Columbia, 29223; (803) 736-8730; www.richland2.org/ne/

Enrollment: 613

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, below average

North Springs

1300 Clemson Road, Columbia, 29229; (803)736-3183; www.richland2.org/nse/

Enrollment: 676

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, good

Pontiac

500 Spears Creek Church Road, Elgin, 29045; (803) 699-2700; www.richland2.org/pe/

Enrollment: 660

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, below average

Rice Creek

4751 Hard Scrabble Road, Columbia,29229; (803) 699-2900; www.richland2.org/rce/

Enrollment: 774

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, below average

Round Top

449 Rimer Pond Road, Blythwood, 29016 ; (803) 691-8676; www.richland2.org/rte/

Enrollment: 421

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, below average

Summit Parkway

200 Summit Parkway, Columbia,29229; (803) 699-3580; www.richland2.org/spm/

Enrollment: 1,464

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, good

Windsor

9800 Dunbarton Drive, Columbia, 29223; (803)736-8723; www.richland2.org/we/

Enrollment: 801

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, unsatisfactory

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Blythewood

2351 Longtown Road E., Blythewood, 29016; (803) 691-6850; www.richland2.org/bm/

Enrollment: 982

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, good

Dent

6950 North Trenholm Road, Columbia, 29206; (803) 699-2750; www.richland2.org/dm/

Enrollment: 1,156

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, average; improvement rating, below average

E.L. Wright

2740 Alpine Road, Columbia, 29223; (803) 736-8740; www.richland2.org/elwm/

Enrollment: 1,400

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, below average

Kelly Mill

1141 Kelly Mill Road, Blythewood, 29016; (803) 691-7210; www.richland2.org/kmm/

Enrollment: New school, not available

Report card ratings: New school, not available

HIGH SCHOOLS

Blythewood

10901 Wilson Blvd., Blythewood, 29016, 29223; (803) 691-4090; www.richland2.org/bh

Enrollment: New school, not available

Report card ratings: New school, not available

Richland Northeast

7500 Brookfield Road, Columbia, 29223; (803) 699-2800; www.richland2.org/rnh/

Enrollment: 1,692

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, good; improvement rating, excellent

Ridge View

4801 Hard Scrabble Road, Columbia, 29229; (803) 699-2999; www.rvhs.org

Enrollment: 2,307

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, excellent

Spring Valley

120 Sparkleberry Lane, Columbia, 29229; (803) 699-3500; www.richland2.org/svh/

Enrollment: 1,900

Report card ratings: Absolute rating, excellent; improvement rating, excellent