Columbia Private Schools vs Public Schools

[kimbo123]

I am also looking into moving to the Columbia area because of the good public schools. I also have a K and a 4th grader. My kids are in Catholic schools right now but I know when we move to SC we are going to have to take a slight pay cut so good public schools is a necessity for us.

[sandlapper]

Some of the better public schools I would wager would be (I don't have the evidence in front of me) Dreher, AC Flora, Irmo, Lexington, Chapin, Dutch Fork, Spring Valley, Blythewood, White Knoll, & Richland Northeast? Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong.

[waccamatt]

Originally Posted by kimbo123

I am also looking into moving to the Columbia area because of the good public schools. I also have a K and a 4th grader. My kids are in Catholic schools right now but I know when we move to SC we are going to have to take a slight pay cut so good public schools is a necessity for us.

Kimbo, there are a number of Catholic Schools here, too, including one Catholic High School. I'm one who likes a short commute to work, so if you know what part of town you will be working in, it would be much easier to recommend some neighborhoods/schools. It isn't like the DC area where you sometimes have to live far from work in order to find an affordable home. My 10 minute commute is my favorite thing about living in Columbia. (after the Gamecocks, of course)

[kimbo123]

Hi Waccamatt
I'm not really interested in sending my kids to Catholic schools When we move to SC. I am not even catholic but in MD the public schools are so bad you have to pay for private schools in order for your child to learn anything. The Catholic schools tend to cost less then other private schools and they still offer a good educational experience. We are leaning towards Irmo, we are going to visit this summer.
Thanks for all of your help

[waccamatt]

I see; the schools in the Irmo area have a good rep so you should be happy there.

[CamdenMom]

Originally Posted by Wildflower-222

Hi - We'll be moving to Columbia this summer. Can anyone tell me about the schools in the area? I have a Kindergartener and a 4th Grader. Normally, I would look for a Private Secular School, but it looks like my only options are Hammond (expensive) and Timmerman. I can find very little information about Timmerman on the internet. Heathwood Hall likes nice also, but expensive.

Which are the best public schools in the Richland 2 district, and which should we avoid? Should I just fork out the money for the expensive private schools? Should we put the kids in a Catholic school like St John Neumann even though we're not Catholic? Any news on Timmerman? Thanks for any help!

My husband and I went to Hammond while my sisters went to public school so I feel like I can comment on this. If you feel that you absolutely want a private school education for your children, your two choices are Hammond or Heathwood. I would pick Heathwood for my child.

Most of the elementary schools in district 2 are decent and have newer facilities. Polo Road Elementary (new school), Sandlapper, Forest Lake and Lake Carolina are all good in district 2. My mom taught ALERT (gifted program in District 2) and feels that these are the best options.

Private school helped me get into a better college but didn't necessarily give me a better education than my sisters had at Spring Valley HS (District 2). They also had orchestra and a wider variety of honors/AP classes available to them.

I would not recommend any other private schools here. Visit the two mentioned above and see what you think. Best of luck to you on your move!

[waccamatt]

I have a co-workers who sends her children to Cardinal Newman and she is very happy with the results.