2023 Best Magnet Schools in the Columbia Area

• Lexington-Richland School District No. 5, SC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.83 out of 5  145 reviews

Senior: Spring Hill High School is not like any other school in District 5. Spring Hill does not have any sports teams which may seem weird for a high school but this actually encourages the students to focus more on academics. Spring Hill also has many clubs like Beta Club, National Honor Society, DECA, and HOSA but there are also clubs that students have made such as: Cheese Club, Gaming Club, and Drawing Club. At Spring Hill, students have the freedom to do pretty much anything. For example, during lunch students are given an hour to either eat lunch, participate in sports in the gym, or receive academic assistance from teachers if needed. Lastly, Spring Hill has the best teachers in the world! All of the teachers at Spring Hill willingly give up their time in the mornings or after school in order to offer extra help for students which I think is AMAZING! Overall, Spring Hill is flooded with student involvement and student spirit which makes it a great place to be.... Read 145 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,135

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Lexington-Richland School District No. 5, SC•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 4.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Parent: We moved to the Irmo area and my son started going to NRES in 1st grade. I wouldn’t want him to go anywhere else! This school has such a positive, loving and caring environment. The teachers, staff, and administrators are all awesome and truly care. I’m always amazed at how the teachers collaborate and integrate the arts for learning across the curriculum. They make learning fun! But the main thing is, they LEARN. My son is so happy at this school and I’ve witnessed his progress. The enrichment programs are awesome too. They also encourage and have many opportunities for parent involvement. A+!... Read 3 reviews

• grade A

• Students 423

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Lexington-Richland School District No. 5, SC•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  3 reviews

Parent: I want to say my son loves this school and the staff there are excellent! Someone stated there is no PTO/SIC I’m not sure what sic is but yes there is a PTO and I’ve been to events in 2018-2019 when this person said there was none. Granted not enough parents get involved. I get involved with my sons education and so does my husband! Due to Covid he’s struggling.... Read 3 reviews

• grade A minus

• Students 546

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Richland School District No. 2, SC•

• PK, K-5

• grade A minus

• Students 603

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Lexington-Richland School District No. 5, SC•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  2 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 964

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Lexington-Richland School District No. 5, SC•

• PK, K-5

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  Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: This is an awesome elementary school. The staff are loving, caring, and driven for the children's will being. They are a STEAM/Magnet school grade 4k-5th grade.... Read 1 review

• grade B+

• Students 433

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Lexington-Richland School District No. 5, SC•

• PK, K-5

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: The teachers and staff go above and beyond for their students and families. Teachers take time to assist parents with information to better help their children. Whether it's school related or personal the staff is willing to go the extra mile to help. The administration is EXCELLENT in communicating to parents thing that are going on in the school and helping with issues that may arise. The PTO is hardworking to bring community and the school together. When the chance arose for my family and I to leave SC, we decided to stay in the Seven Oaks Elementary School Media Magnet school zone indefinitely due to the experience we had at the school.... Read 2 reviews

• grade B+

• Students 463

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Lexington-Richland School District No. 5, SC•

• PK, K-5

• grade B+

• Students 456

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Richland School District No. 2, SC•

• PK, K-5

• grade B+

• Students 656

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Lexington-Richland School District No. 5, SC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  409 reviews

Parent: My daughter is a freshman and new to the district. We chose Irmo because of the outstanding arts program and classes, and great facilities as well as the graduation tracks such as IB and dual credit. Also the teachers and administrators genuinely care about the students. I’ve been amazed at some of the creative projects teachers assign in classes. My daughter’s grades have greatly improved since she’s been at Irmo, and she likes all of her teachers. Also the students have been friendly and welcoming to her, and she likes the diversity and individuality at this school. She’s been happy there since Day 1! However, Irmo has a dark side. My daughter has seen many fights among students and said that students are vaping in the bathrooms. It also has a bad rap for some violence/harassment among students in the past 2 years, but that seems to be improving. Still, it’s overall a very good school in an excellent district. It just needs to work on student discipline and the graduation rate.... Read 409 reviews

• grade B

• Students 1,216

• Student-teacher ratio 12:1

• Richland School District No. 2, SC•

• PK, K-5

• grade B minus

• Students 523

• Student-teacher ratio 11:1

• Richland School District No. 2, SC•

• PK, K-5

• grade B minus

• Students 436

• Student-teacher ratio 10:1

• Lexington County School District No. 2, SC•

• 6-8

• •
  Rating 5 out of 5  3 reviews

Works Here: Busbee Creative Arts Academy is a unique place where people from a wide array of backgrounds come together and students come first. Staff really care about helping kids and supporting parents, and each other.... Read 3 reviews

• grade C+

• Students 431

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1