Rice Creek Elementary

Summary:

Rice Creek Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, South Carolina, serving 737 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Richland 02 school district, which is ranked 33 out of 75 districts in the state and has a 3-star rating.

Rice Creek Elementary stands out for its significantly higher percentage of African American students (75.85%) compared to nearby schools, which range from 42.05% to 62.72% African American. The school also has a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 59.57% to 76.12% over the past three years, higher than the surrounding schools. While Rice Creek's overall performance on state assessments is lower than the district and state averages, particularly in mathematics, the school's African American students perform notably stronger, ranking in the top 40-92 out of 369-394 elementary schools in the state.

The high concentration of low-income students at Rice Creek Elementary may contribute to its lower academic performance compared to nearby schools like Bookman Road Elementary and Round Top Elementary, which have higher-performing students and lower percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch. However, Rice Creek's success in supporting its African American students suggests the school is effectively addressing the needs of this population, and targeted interventions, particularly in mathematics, could help improve overall student outcomes.


Detail:

Public, Magnet PK, KG-5

 4751 Hard Scrabble Road
       Columbia, SC  29229


(803) 699-2900

District: Richland 02

SchoolDigger Rank:
310th of 638 South Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,681 Help


Students who attend Rice Creek Elementary usually attend:

High:    Ridge View High

Student/teacher ratio:  12.9 Help
Number of students:  764

Racial breakdown:

African American:
74.2%
Two or more races:
9.4%
Hispanic:
7.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  60.9% Help


 See top rated South Carolina elementary schools

 Compare Rice Creek Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Rice Creek Elementary ranks better than 51.4% of elementary schools in South Carolina. It also ranks 12th among 22 ranked elementary schools in the Richland 02 School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 50.55. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (74.2%), two or more races (9.4%), Hispanic (7.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 60.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Rice Creek Elementary is 12.9. 11 elementary schools in the Richland 02 School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Rice Creek Elementary employs 58.9 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Rice Creek Elementary is $12,681. 15 elementary schools in the Richland 02 School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Rice Creek Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Rice Creek Elementary 310th of 638 South Carolina public elementary schools. (See Rice Creek Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
African American students:


Richland 02:

SchoolDigger ranks Richland 02 33rd of 75 South Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Rice Creek Elementary.

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Rank History for Rice Creek Elementary

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Rank History for all students at Rice Creek Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 82.71 75th 542 86.2%
2004 77.78 103rd 550 81.3%
2005 80.70 77th 557 86.2%
2006 75.43 115th 559 79.4%
2007 71.74 144th 566 74.6%
2008 70.03 157th 577 72.8%
2009 71.70 147th 580 74.7%
2010 74.19 125th 589 78.8%
2011 74.43 132nd 597 77.9%
2012 59.40 261st 594 56.1%
2013 64.09 216th 599 63.9%
2014 63.10 236th 630 62.5%
2015 53.95 273rd 638 57.2%
2016 53.85 283rd 619 54.3%
2017 64.65 205th 639 67.9%
2018 65.80 194th 624 68.9%
2019 60.05 254th 643 60.5%
2021 40.89 373rd 622 40.0%
2022 46.33 333rd 625 46.7%
2023 37.86 403rd 644 37.4%
2024 50.55 310th 638 51.4%
See the entire list of South Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Rice Creek Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 75.93 115th 588 80.4%
2019 67.08 189th 600 68.5%
2021 50.72 278th 580 52.1%
2022 46.53 323rd 600 46.2%
2023 36.03 408th 608 32.9%
2024 54.33 268th 599 55.3%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Rice Creek Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 67.04 170th 570 70.2%
2019 63.15 208th 588 64.6%
2021 40.43 335th 554 39.5%
2022 49.24 283rd 573 50.6%
2023 42.96 332nd 580 42.8%
2024 55.40 243rd 565 57.0%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Rice Creek Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 61.56 215th 571 62.3%
2019 53.20 282nd 590 52.2%
2021 37.04 362nd 561 35.5%
2022 41.25 345th 579 40.4%
2023 31.22 402nd 582 30.9%
2024 42.00 337th 568 40.7%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Rice Creek Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 93.97 13th 412 96.8%
2019 90.37 14th 421 96.7%
2021 86.99 20th 350 94.3%
2022 80.52 53rd 393 86.5%
2023 68.24 92nd 394 76.6%
2024 80.72 40th 369 89.2%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Data source: test scores: South Carolina Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Rice Creek Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: South Carolina Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)
50%

0%

0%

0%

50%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Open Quote The staff cares about the students. Somehow they are able to remember each student and each parent. They are always helpful to both you and your child. I only wish I could take the staff with me when I move Close Quote



Enrollment information for Rice Creek Elementary

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1994 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 565 565
1995 398 330 15 14 0 n/a n/a 0 757
1996 398 330 15 14 0 n/a n/a 0 757
1997 429 370 15 28 0 n/a n/a 0 842
1998 407 406 9 19 1 n/a n/a 0 842
1999 226 281 8 13 1 n/a n/a 0 529
2000 311 333 10 19 1 n/a n/a 0 674
2001 353 431 13 25 2 n/a n/a 0 824
2002 307 414 31 26 0 n/a n/a 2 780
2003 307 414 31 26 0 n/a n/a 2 780
2004 260 489 40 24 0 n/a n/a 4 817
2005 263 625 36 33 0 n/a n/a 18 975
2006 247 638 32 38 0 n/a n/a 21 976
2007 192 557 18 26 1 n/a n/a 0 794
2008 164 611 25 33 0 n/a n/a 22 855
2009 162 537 35 23 0 n/a n/a 21 778
2010 134 592 37 27 0 n/a n/a 8 798
2011 128 572 29 41 0 5 25 0 800
2012 120 549 24 45 0 2 31 0 771
2013 130 536 17 46 1 2 42 0 774
2014 126 506 11 40 2 1 42 0 728
2015 103 521 12 48 2 1 45 0 732
2016 96 532 13 36 1 1 45 0 724
2017 68 550 12 45 0 1 44 0 720
2018 50 579 14 48 0 1 49 0 741
2019 53 555 17 72 0 2 55 0 754
2020 48 574 12 63 0 1 52 0 750
2021 40 556 8 53 0 1 60 0 718
2022 51 570 15 49 0 0 62 0 747
2023 46 559 17 55 1 0 59 0 737
2024 48 567 21 54 2 0 72 0 764

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Rice Creek Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1994 565 36.0 15.7 21.4
1995 757 47.0 16.1 18
1996 757 47.0 16.1 18
1997 842 51.0 16.5 17
1998 842 62.5 13.5 23.8
1999 529 40.0 13.2 13.4
2000 674 46.0 14.7 16.6
2001 824 52.0 15.8 18.8
2002 780 48.0 16.3 17
2003 780 48.0 16.3 17
2004 817 52.8 15.5 23.5
2005 975 58.0 16.8 28.3
2006 976 70.0 13.9 34
2007 794 66.5 11.9 35.9
2008 855 57.0 15.0 42.6
2009 778 57.5 13.5 40.8
2010 798 54.0 14.7 44.6
2011 800 49.0 16.3 41.1
2012 771 47.0 16.4 51
2013 774 50.0 15.4 52.8
2014 728 50.2 14.5 53.3
2015 732 46.0 15.9 51.4
2016 724 50.0 14.4 59.3
2017 720 48.0 15.0 58.2
2018 741 51.0 14.5 58.6
2019 754 53.0 14.2 63.1
2020 750 52.6 14.2 62.7
2021 718 54.6 13.1 62.8
2022 747 53.0 14.0 59.6
2023 737 54.8 13.4 76.1
2024 764 58.9 12.9 60.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Rice Creek Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1994 565 36.0 15.7 21.4
1995 757 47.0 16.1 18
1996 757 47.0 16.1 18
1997 842 51.0 16.5 17
1998 842 62.5 13.5 23.8
1999 529 40.0 13.2 13.4
2000 674 46.0 14.7 16.6
2001 824 52.0 15.8 18.8
2002 780 48.0 16.3 17
2003 780 48.0 16.3 17
2004 817 52.8 15.5 23.5
2005 975 58.0 16.8 28.3
2006 976 70.0 13.9 34
2007 794 66.5 11.9 35.9
2008 855 57.0 15.0 42.6
2009 778 57.5 13.5 40.8
2010 798 54.0 14.7 44.6
2011 800 49.0 16.3 41.1
2012 771 47.0 16.4 51
2013 774 50.0 15.4 52.8
2014 728 50.2 14.5 53.3
2015 732 46.0 15.9 51.4
2016 724 50.0 14.4 59.3
2017 720 48.0 15.0 58.2
2018 741 51.0 14.5 58.6
2019 754 53.0 14.2 63.1
2020 750 52.6 14.2 62.7
2021 718 54.6 13.1 62.8
2022 747 53.0 14.0 59.6
2023 737 54.8 13.4 76.1
2024 764 58.9 12.9 60.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Rice Creek Elementary

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YearPersonnel Expenditures from Federal FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from Federal FundsTotal Expenditures from Federal FundsPersonnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $581 (5.2%) $662 (6.0%) $1,243 (11.2%) $8,702 (78.5%) $1,135 (10.2%) $9,837 (88.8%) $11,080
2020 $545 (5.0%) $903 (8.3%) $1,448 (13.3%) $8,244 (75.5%) $1,233 (11.3%) $9,477 (86.7%) $10,925
2021 $632 (5.5%) $653 (5.6%) $1,285 (11.1%) $9,055 (78.2%) $1,239 (10.7%) $10,293 (88.9%) $11,579
2022 $719 (6.0%) $826 (6.9%) $1,545 (12.8%) $9,452 (78.4%) $1,058 (8.8%) $10,511 (87.2%) $12,055
2023 $829 (6.5%) $1,083 (8.5%) $1,912 (15.1%) $9,471 (74.7%) $1,298 (10.2%) $10,768 (84.9%) $12,681

Data source: South Carolina Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Rice Creek Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 254th of 643 Elementary schoolsRanks 403rd of 644 Elementary schools
 23.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Rice Creek Elementary)45.147
 1.9%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Richland 02)51.152.3
 1.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)49.753.5
 3.8%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Rice Creek Elementary)46.145.3
 0.8%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Richland 02)6252.1
 9.9%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)57.753.6
 4.1%
4th Grade Science (Rice Creek Elementary)49.133.6
 15.5%
   4th Grade Science (Richland 02)51.146.9
 4.2%
   4th Grade Science (South Carolina)5246.6
 5.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Rice Creek Elementary)61.249.1
 12.1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Richland 02)53.760
 6.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)51.357.2
 5.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Rice Creek Elementary)57.640.5
 17.1%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Richland 02)53.348.9
 4.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)50.547
 3.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Rice Creek Elementary)46.553.8
 7.3%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Richland 02)44.358.8
 14.5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)4155.2
 14.2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Rice Creek Elementary)49.628.1
 21.5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Richland 02)51.145.4
 5.7%
   5th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)45.444.6
 0.8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students754737
 2.3%
African American555559
 0.7%
American Indian01
Asian1717
Hispanic7255
 23.6%
Pacific Islander20
 100%
White5346
 13.2%
Two or More Races5559
 7.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients63.1%76.1%
 13%


Schools Near Rice Creek Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Rice Creek Elementary

Students who attend Rice Creek Elementary usually go on to attend:

High : Ridge View High

Rice Creek Elementary ranks 310th of 638 South Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

In the 2023-24 school year, 764 students attended Rice Creek Elementary.

Students at Rice Creek Elementary are 74% African American, 9% Two or more races, 7% Hispanic, 6% White, 3% Asian.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the South Carolina Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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