Schools Near Homes in Columbia, SC

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Schools near homes in Columbia, SC, include public, charter, and private options serving students across the metropolitan area. This guide explores the types of schools in Columbia, SC, including the Blythewood, Chapin, Lexington, and Elgin areas. You'll also find information on grade levels, academic programs, nearby neighborhoods, and local amenities.

Summary:


  • Overview of Schools in Columbia, SC

  • Types of Schools Near Homes in Columbia, SC

    • Public Schools in Columbia, SC

    • Columbia, SC, Charter Schools

    • Private Schools Near Columbia, SC

  • Schools in Columbia, SC: Distance Overview

  • Facilities & Resources for Schools in Columbia, SC

  • Third-Party Resources for Schools in Columbia, SC

  • Columbia, SC, Schools & Neighborhood Overview

  • Schools in Columbia, SC: Conclusion


Overview of Schools in Columbia, SC

Columbia, SC, elementary schools in these districts generally serve Pre-K–5th grade, middle schools typically cover grades 6–8, and high schools in Columbia, SC, commonly serve grades 9–12 with some campuses following intermediate configurations. Public schools in Columbia, SC, are operated by multiple school districts, with three serving many of the area's growing residential communities:

  • Richland School District Two: Covers Blythewood, Northeast Columbia, and portions of Elgin, operating elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as magnet programs in the arts and computer science

  • School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties: Serves Chapin, Irmo, and the Dutch Fork area with 13 elementary schools, two intermediate schools, three middle schools, four high schools, and the Center for Advanced Technical Studies

  • Lexington County School District One: Serves the greater Lexington, Pelion, and Gilbert areas with 31 schools and an enrollment of more than 27,300 students, according to the district’s website as of July 2026

Kids at a desk doing schoolwork on computers, reflecting schools near homes in Columbia, SC.
Kids at a desk doing schoolwork on computers, reflecting schools near homes in Columbia, SC.

Types of Schools Near Homes in Columbia, SC

Homebuyers researching schools in Columbia, SC, will find three primary options: traditional public schools, tuition-free public charter schools, and independent private schools. The schools below are within proximity to Pulte communities across the Columbia metro area, including our new construction homes in Blythewood, new homes for sale in Chapin, and new construction communities in Lexington. Because attendance boundaries can change, it's a good idea to confirm your designated campus directly with the applicable school district before making enrollment decisions.


Public Schools in Columbia, SC

Public schools serving Pulte communities in Columbia fall under three school districts. School assignments are based on a home's address. Because attendance boundaries can change, it's a good idea to confirm your designated campus directly with the applicable school district before making enrollment decisions. Here’s a sampling of the public schools in these districts, with the details on grade configurations, enrollment figures, and more based on July 2026 data from federal and district records:

Richland School District Two (serving Blythewood and Elgin, SC):

  • Bethel-Hanberry Elementary School:

    • 125 Boney Road, Blythewood, SC 29016

    • Grades: Pre-kindergarten to 5th grade

    • Approximately 700 students, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

    • Offers a Gifted & Talented program, according to GreatSchools.org

    • 1 mile from Oakleaf Chase by Pulte Homes

  • Muller Road Middle School:

    • 1031 Muller Road, Blythewood, SC 29016

    • Grades: Kindergarten to 8th grade

    • Approximately 1,200 students, 83 full-time equivalent teachers, and two full-time counselors, according to NCES

    • 3 miles from Oakleaf Chase by Pulte Homes

  • Blythewood High School:

    • 10901 Wilson Blvd, Blythewood, SC 29016

    • Grades: 9th to 12th grade

    • Approximately 2,100 students, according to NCES

    • Offers AP courses, a Project Lead The Way curriculum, and a Gifted & Talented program, according to GreatSchools.org

    • 1.3 miles from Oakleaf Chase by Pulte Homes

School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties (serving Chapin, SC):


  • Chapin Middle School:

    • 11661 Broad River Rd, Chapin, SC 29036

    • Grades: 6th to 8th grade

    • Approximately 1,000 students, according to NCES

    • Less than1 mile from Monroe Preserve by Pulte Homes

  • Chapin High School:

    • 300 Columbia Ave, Chapin, SC 29036

    • Grades: 9th to 12th grade

    • Approximately 1,600 students, according to NCES

    • 5 miles from Monroe Preserve by Pulte Homes

Lexington County School District One (serving Lexington, SC):

  • New Providence Elementary School:

    • 1118 Old Cherokee Rd, Lexington, SC 29072

    • Grades: Pre-kindergarten to 5th grade

    • Approximately 810 students and a 14:1 student-teacher ratio, according to NCES

    • Offers a Gifted & Talented program, according to GreatSchools.org

    • 3 miles from Carriage Estates by Pulte Homes


Columbia, SC, Charter Schools

Charter schools in Columbia, SC, are tuition-free public schools that enroll students through an application process rather than attendance zones. The South Carolina Department of Education maintains guidance and current listings for charter options statewide. The details below are based on July 2026 data:

  • American Leadership Academy Blythewood:

    • 10301 Wilson Blvd, Blythewood, SC 29016

    • A tuition-free public charter school opening in fall 2026, with a grade expansion plan building toward a full K–12 program, according to American Leadership Academy

    • Just over 8 miles from Grand Arbor by Pulte Homes


  • East Point Academy:

    • 1401 Leaphart St, West Columbia, SC 29169

    • A public charter school operating elementary and middle campuses in West Columbia, according to East Point Academy

    • Just over 14 miles from Carriage Estates by Pulte Homes



Private Schools Near Columbia, SC

Private schools in Columbia, SC, include both independent and faith-based options serving a range of grade levels. These are a few private schools located throughout the Columbia metro area, which are within proximity of Pulte communities, and the details are based on July 2026 data:

  • Ben Lippen School:

    • 7401 Monticello Rd, Columbia, SC 29203

    • Grades: Pre-kindergarten to 12th grade across multiple campuses, including a Northeast lower school campus at 3513 Hard Scrabble Rd, according to the school’s website

    • Approximately 1,100 students with tuition between $9,175 and $17,300 depending on grade level, according to Private School Review

    • Northeast campus is located 18 miles from Grand Arbor by Pulte Homes.



  • Northside Christian Academy:

    • 4347 Sunset Blvd, Lexington, SC 29072

    • Grades: Pre-kindergarten to 12th grade, with a 12:1 student-teacher ratio

    • Private Christian school with campuses in Lexington and West Columbia, according to Private School Review

    • About 10 miles from Carriage Estates by Pulte Homes


Schools in Columbia, SC: Distance Overview

In addition to the Pulte communities featured in this guide, several established neighborhoods are also located in proximity to the schools listed above. The neighborhood examples below are organized to offer additional geographic context, with approximate distances based on each school's location relative to nearby neighborhoods:

  • Neighborhoods near Blythewood and Northeast Columbia schools (Richland School District Two)

    • Cobblestone Park, SC:

      • 2.5 miles to Blythewood High School

      • 1.5 miles to Bethel-Hanberry Elementary School

    • Lake Carolina, SC:

      • 9 miles to Muller Road Middle

      • 7 miles to Blythewood High School

    • Blythewood Farms, SC:

      • 8 miles to Bethel-Hanberry Elementary School

      • 9 miles to Muller Road Middle

  • Neighborhoods near Chapin schools (School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties)

    • Palmetto Shores, SC:

      • 6.5 miles to Chapin High School

      • 5 miles to Chapin Elementary School

    • Collins Cove, SC:

      • 6.5 miles to Chapin High School

      • 3 miles to Chapin Middle School

    • Portrait Hill, SC:

      • 5 miles to Chapin High School

  • Neighborhoods near Lexington schools (Lexington County School District One)

    • Bluefield, SC:

      • 11 miles to New Providence Elementary School

    • Peachtree Hills, SC:

      • 15 miles to New Providence Elementary School

    • Copper Crest, SC:

      • 6.5 miles to New Providence Elementary School


Facilities and Resources for Schools in Columbia, SC

Schools in Columbia offer a variety of academic programs, career pathways, and extracurricular opportunities.

Richland School District Two features specialty and magnet programs: the Palmetto Center for the Arts, a visual and performing arts magnet covering dance, music, theatre, and visual arts, and a Computer Science Magnet Program teaching coding skills.

Blythewood High School offers Advanced Placement (AP) coursework, a STEM curriculum through Project Lead The Way, and a Gifted & Talented program, according to GreatSchools.org.

School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties operates the Center for Advanced Technical Studies in Chapin, offering career-focused learning opportunities in various professions for students across the district. Overall, this district includes 13 elementary schools, two intermediate schools, three middle schools, and four high schools, according to their website.

Private schools add to the area's educational offerings. Ben Lippen School offers AP courses and competitive athletics, according to GreatSchools.org. Students can also enroll in a nursing assistant program, a STEM program, and an aeronautics program, which was launched in 2023 with Propel Aviation, according to the school’s website. Richland One Middle College allows students to complete high school coursework while earning college credit through Midlands Technical College, according to the Richland School District One website.


Third-Party Resources for Schools in Columbia, SC

For additional information about schools in Columbia, SC, you use the following third-party resources to research school enrollment, attendance boundaries, ratings, report cards, and other school data:


Columbia, SC, Schools & Neighborhood Overview

The areas around these schools include documented parks, recreation, and shopping destinations.

In Blythewood, Doko Meadows Park is located in proximity to the town's school cluster, offering trails, a playground, and community events.

Three miles from the Catawba Trail Elementary School in Elgin is the Village at Sandhill, a shopping and dining destination, and the Skateland Fun Center is just under two miles away, featuring opportunities to go roller-skating every day of the week.

In Chapin, students and their parents enjoy convenient access to Lake Murray for picnics, fishing, and paddleboarding, as well as numerous parks like Melvin Park, Crooked Creek Park, and Dreher Island State Park for recreational activities.


Near Lexington schools, the Icehouse Amphitheater hosts outdoor concerts and events, and the Lexington County Museum offers insights into local history. Closer to the Columbia city center, you can spend an afternoon at the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, the Columbia Museum of Art, the South Carolina State Museum, or Riverfront Park.


Schools in Columbia, SC: Conclusion

Schools in Columbia, SC, are served primarily by three districts. Richland School District Two serves Blythewood and Elgin with school campuses including Blythewood High School and Catawba Trail Elementary. School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties serves the Chapin area with the Chapin Elementary School, Chapin Middle School, and Chapin High School. The Lexington County School District One serves Lexington and includes New Providence Elementary School. Charter school options include Richland One Middle College, and private school campuses include Ben Lippen School and Abner Montessori School.

For homebuyers exploring homes near schools in Columbia, SC, comparing nearby neighborhoods alongside school options can help narrow your search. Because attendance boundaries and enrollment policies may change over time, it's important to confirm current school assignments directly with the applicable district when making homebuying decisions.

Explore new construction homes in Columbia, South Carolina, today, or browse more Pulte Homes blogs. You may also enjoy our new home communities in Columbia by Centex®.