Joseph Keels Elementary

Summary:

Joseph Keels Elementary is a public elementary school in Columbia, South Carolina, serving 438 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.

Joseph Keels Elementary faces significant challenges in supporting the educational needs of its predominantly African American (82.19%) and low-income student population, with all students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom half of South Carolina elementary schools, with academic performance generally lower than the district and state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, only 34.2% of 3rd-grade students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 51% for the Richland 02 district and 53.8% for the state.

While Joseph Keels Elementary has a higher spending per student and a lower student-teacher ratio compared to nearby schools, such as Brockman Elementary and Satchel Ford Elementary, these additional resources do not seem to translate into significantly better academic outcomes for the students. In fact, some nearby schools significantly outperform the state on state assessments, suggesting that factors beyond just resource allocation may be contributing to the disparities in student outcomes at Joseph Keels Elementary.


Detail:

Public, Magnet PK, KG-5

 7500 Springcrest Drive
       Columbia, SC  29223


(803) 736-8754

District: Richland 02

SchoolDigger Rank:
449th of 638 South Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,343 Help


Students who attend Joseph Keels Elementary usually attend:

Middle:    Dent Middle

Student/teacher ratio:  10.8 Help
Number of students:  438

Racial breakdown:

African American:
82.2%
Hispanic:
10.5%
Two or more races:
3.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  100% Help


 See top rated South Carolina elementary schools

 Compare Joseph Keels Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Joseph Keels Elementary ranks worse than 70.4% of elementary schools in South Carolina. It also ranks 17th among 22 ranked elementary schools in the Richland 02 School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 29.56. (See more...)
Student Body
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Compare Details Joseph Keels Elementary has the smallest elementary school student body size in the Richland 02 School District. Racial makeup is: African American (82.2%), Hispanic (10.5%), two or more races (3.4%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 100% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Joseph Keels Elementary is 10.8, which is the 3rd best among 22 elementary schools in the Richland 02 School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Joseph Keels Elementary employs 40.4 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Joseph Keels Elementary is $15,343, which is the 4th highest among 22 elementary schools in the Richland 02 School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Joseph Keels Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Joseph Keels Elementary 449th of 638 South Carolina public elementary schools. (See Joseph Keels 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.)


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Your rating for Joseph Keels Elementary?

Rank History for Joseph Keels Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Joseph Keels Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 33.24 395th 542 27.1%
2004 23.55 464th 550 15.6%
2005 33.68 409th 557 26.6%
2006 21.59 483rd 559 13.6%
2007 18.33 506th 566 10.6%
2008 11.31 543rd 577 5.9%
2009 20.70 509th 580 12.2%
2010 30.00 464th 589 21.2%
2011 23.47 505th 597 15.4%
2012 17.94 530th 594 10.8%
2013 13.34 556th 599 7.2%
2014 16.59 580th 630 7.9%
2015 24.07 532nd 638 16.6%
2016 13.46 571st 619 7.8%
2017 20.16 536th 639 16.1%
2018 21.57 499th 624 20.0%
2019 26.09 487th 643 24.3%
2021 24.92 463rd 622 25.6%
2022 37.34 391st 625 37.4%
2023 33.35 433rd 644 32.8%
2024 29.56 449th 638 29.6%
See the entire list of South Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Joseph Keels Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.54 434th 588 26.2%
2019 36.16 412th 600 31.3%
2021 38.16 376th 580 35.2%
2022 53.45 282nd 600 53.0%
2023 49.79 293rd 608 51.8%
2024 41.56 362nd 599 39.6%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Joseph Keels Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 33.13 403rd 570 29.3%
2019 34.27 408th 588 30.6%
2021 23.09 434th 554 21.7%
2022 34.58 386th 573 32.6%
2023 33.98 390th 580 32.8%
2024 30.97 402nd 565 28.8%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Joseph Keels Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 11.66 531st 571 7.0%
2019 16.03 521st 590 11.7%
2021 25.52 421st 561 25.0%
2022 38.09 365th 579 37.0%
2023 31.56 399th 582 31.4%
2024 25.44 428th 568 24.6%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Joseph Keels Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 50.11 193rd 412 53.2%
2019 56.39 163rd 421 61.3%
2021 64.63 91st 350 74.0%
2022 82.36 39th 393 90.1%
2023 71.59 80th 394 79.7%
2024 57.32 138th 369 62.6%
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.

Joseph Keels 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: 1)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!


Enrollment information for Joseph Keels Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 221 289 10 10 0 n/a n/a 0 530
1989 199 361 6 12 0 n/a n/a 0 578
1990 186 323 7 10 0 n/a n/a 0 526
1991 169 362 4 12 0 n/a n/a 0 547
1992 158 382 11 10 0 n/a n/a 0 561
1993 163 421 11 8 0 n/a n/a 0 603
1994 145 428 5 7 1 n/a n/a 0 586
1995 154 517 2 10 1 n/a n/a 0 684
1996 154 517 2 10 1 n/a n/a 0 684
1997 139 505 3 5 1 n/a n/a 0 653
1998 134 503 6 11 1 n/a n/a -2 653
1999 134 517 13 15 2 n/a n/a 0 681
2000 88 585 12 11 3 n/a n/a 0 699
2001 60 640 10 13 5 n/a n/a 0 728
2002 51 684 8 9 4 n/a n/a 3 759
2003 51 684 8 9 4 n/a n/a 3 759
2004 45 621 13 11 4 n/a n/a 0 694
2005 41 601 7 11 5 n/a n/a 0 665
2006 38 585 6 32 4 n/a n/a 1 666
2007 19 559 5 15 2 n/a n/a 0 600
2008 14 557 7 15 1 n/a n/a 5 599
2009 12 584 12 16 0 n/a n/a 7 631
2010 14 558 4 15 0 n/a n/a 5 596
2011 19 602 3 25 0 2 12 0 663
2012 9 562 6 35 1 0 18 0 631
2013 18 618 6 36 1 0 10 0 689
2014 19 606 4 41 0 0 11 0 681
2015 8 598 12 44 0 0 12 0 674
2016 6 608 11 44 4 0 7 0 680
2017 15 589 15 52 1 1 8 0 681
2018 9 473 12 41 0 1 13 0 549
2019 8 436 9 48 0 1 19 0 521
2020 7 435 9 43 0 1 12 0 507
2021 3 369 8 42 0 0 14 0 436
2022 5 376 10 42 0 0 17 0 450
2023 8 360 9 46 0 0 15 0 438

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 Joseph Keels Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 530 29.6 17.9 n/a
1989 578 30.5 18.9 n/a
1990 526 31.5 16.6 n/a
1991 547 31.5 17.3 32
1992 561 34.1 16.4 35.8
1993 603 34.5 17.5 40.8
1994 586 39.6 14.8 45.7
1995 684 46.7 14.6 47.5
1996 684 46.7 14.6 47.5
1997 653 47.2 13.8 52.2
1998 653 47.2 13.8 54.5
1999 681 50.2 13.6 67.8
2000 699 52.2 13.4 65.7
2001 728 53.2 13.7 67.9
2002 759 55.4 13.7 70.1
2003 759 55.4 13.7 70.1
2004 694 52.4 13.2 73.3
2005 665 51.4 12.9 83.6
2006 666 50.6 13.2 83.6
2007 600 62.0 9.7 86.5
2008 599 49.0 12.2 80.3
2009 631 48.0 13.1 89.7
2010 596 52.0 11.4 83.9
2011 663 45.8 14.4 81.6
2012 631 47.5 13.2 87.5
2013 689 54.0 12.7 76.8
2014 681 52.0 13.0 81.1
2015 674 56.0 12.0 64.2
2016 680 50.0 13.6 82.2
2017 681 49.0 13.8 100
2018 549 45.0 12.2 100
2019 521 43.0 12.1 100
2020 507 43.0 11.7 100
2021 436 42.0 10.3 100
2022 450 38.5 11.6 100
2023 438 40.4 10.8 100

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 Joseph Keels Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 530 29.6 17.9 n/a
1989 578 30.5 18.9 n/a
1990 526 31.5 16.6 n/a
1991 547 31.5 17.3 32
1992 561 34.1 16.4 35.8
1993 603 34.5 17.5 40.8
1994 586 39.6 14.8 45.7
1995 684 46.7 14.6 47.5
1996 684 46.7 14.6 47.5
1997 653 47.2 13.8 52.2
1998 653 47.2 13.8 54.5
1999 681 50.2 13.6 67.8
2000 699 52.2 13.4 65.7
2001 728 53.2 13.7 67.9
2002 759 55.4 13.7 70.1
2003 759 55.4 13.7 70.1
2004 694 52.4 13.2 73.3
2005 665 51.4 12.9 83.6
2006 666 50.6 13.2 83.6
2007 600 62.0 9.7 86.5
2008 599 49.0 12.2 80.3
2009 631 48.0 13.1 89.7
2010 596 52.0 11.4 83.9
2011 663 45.8 14.4 81.6
2012 631 47.5 13.2 87.5
2013 689 54.0 12.7 76.8
2014 681 52.0 13.0 81.1
2015 674 56.0 12.0 64.2
2016 680 50.0 13.6 82.2
2017 681 49.0 13.8 100
2018 549 45.0 12.2 100
2019 521 43.0 12.1 100
2020 507 43.0 11.7 100
2021 436 42.0 10.3 100
2022 450 38.5 11.6 100
2023 438 40.4 10.8 100

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 Joseph Keels 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 $1,019 (7.7%) $556 (4.2%) $1,575 (11.9%) $10,235 (77.6%) $1,380 (10.5%) $11,615 (88.1%) $13,190
2020 $987 (7.6%) $722 (5.5%) $1,710 (13.1%) $10,021 (76.7%) $1,337 (10.2%) $11,358 (86.9%) $13,068
2021 $1,000 (7.4%) $597 (4.4%) $1,597 (11.8%) $10,464 (77.4%) $1,449 (10.7%) $11,914 (88.2%) $13,511
2022 $1,515 (10.2%) $756 (5.1%) $2,271 (15.3%) $11,349 (76.2%) $1,271 (8.5%) $12,620 (84.7%) $14,891
2023 $1,194 (7.8%) $1,196 (7.8%) $2,390 (15.6%) $11,627 (75.8%) $1,325 (8.6%) $12,952 (84.4%) $15,343

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Joseph Keels 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 487th of 643 Elementary schoolsRanks 433rd of 644 Elementary schools
 8.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Joseph Keels Elementary)45.441
 4.4%
   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 (Joseph Keels Elementary)62.549.2
 13.3%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Richland 02)6252.1
 9.9%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)57.753.6
 4.1%
4th Grade Science (Joseph Keels Elementary)25.838.1
 12.3%
   4th Grade Science (Richland 02)51.146.9
 4.2%
   4th Grade Science (South Carolina)5246.6
 5.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Joseph Keels Elementary)32.652.4
 19.8%
   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 (Joseph Keels Elementary)33.733.3
 0.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Richland 02)53.348.9
 4.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)50.547
 3.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Joseph Keels Elementary)24.241.6
 17.4%
   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 (Joseph Keels Elementary)23.328.6
 5.3%
   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 Students521438
 15.9%
African American436360
 17.4%
American Indian00
Asian99
Hispanic4846
 4.2%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White88
Two or More Races1915
 21.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients100%100%


Schools Near Joseph Keels Elementary









Frequently Asked Questions about Joseph Keels Elementary

Joseph Keels Elementary ranks 449th of 638 South Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 438 students attended Joseph Keels Elementary.

Students at Joseph Keels Elementary are 82% African American, 11% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races, 2% Asian, 2% White.

Students who attend Joseph Keels Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Dent Middle


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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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