Saluda River Academy for the Arts

Summary:

Saluda River Academy for the Arts is a public elementary school in West Columbia, South Carolina, serving 344 students in grades K-5. The school is part of the Lexington 02 school district, which is ranked 59 out of 75 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Saluda River Academy for the Arts stands out for its diverse student population, with a higher percentage of White (36.63%) and Hispanic (19.48%) students compared to nearby schools. The school consistently outperforms the Lexington 02 district and the state of South Carolina in English Language Arts and Mathematics proficiency rates across grades 3-5. For example, the school's 3rd grade ELA proficiency rate was 58.8%, compared to 38.4% for the Lexington 02 district and 53.8% for the state. Additionally, the school has a lower student-teacher ratio of 11.8 and higher per-student spending of $18,429 compared to the district.

Despite its strong academic performance, Saluda River Academy for the Arts has only received a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger, ranking in the middle to lower range of South Carolina elementary schools. In comparison, the nearby Springdale Elementary, with similar demographics, has consistently received a 3-star rating and ranked higher. Furthermore, the East Point Academy, a public charter school less than a mile away, has significantly outperformed Saluda River Academy for the Arts in both English Language Arts and Mathematics proficiency across all grade levels.


Detail:

Public, Magnet K-5

 1520 Duke Avenue
       West Columbia, SC  29169


(803) 739-4095

District: Lexington 02

SchoolDigger Rank:
384th of 638 South Carolina Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $18,429 Help


Students who attend Saluda River Academy for the Arts usually attend:

Middle:    Northside Middle
High:    Brookland-Cayce High

Student/teacher ratio:  12.1 Help
Number of students:  390

Racial breakdown:

White:
37.7%
African American:
30.8%
Hispanic:
17.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  100% Help


 See top rated South Carolina elementary schools

 Compare Saluda River Academy for the Arts to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Saluda River Academy for the Arts ranks worse than 60.2% of elementary schools in South Carolina. It also ranks 2nd among 6 ranked elementary schools in the Lexington 02 School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 39.78. (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
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Compare Details Student population at Saluda River Academy for the Arts is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (37.7%), African American (30.8%), Hispanic (17.9%). (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 Saluda River Academy for the Arts is 12.1, which is the lowest among 6 elementary schools in the Lexington 02 School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Saluda River Academy for the Arts employs 32 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Saluda River Academy for the Arts is $18,429, which is the highest among 6 elementary schools in the Lexington 02 School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Saluda River Academy for the Arts:

SchoolDigger ranks Saluda River Academy for the Arts 384th of 638 South Carolina public elementary schools. (See Saluda River Academy for the Arts in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Lexington 02:

SchoolDigger ranks Lexington 02 59th of 75 South Carolina school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Saluda River Academy for the Arts

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Rank History for all students at Saluda River Academy for the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2003 74.74 125th 542 76.9%
2004 66.52 179th 550 67.5%
2005 59.99 242nd 557 56.6%
2006 63.48 220th 559 60.6%
2007 64.90 190th 566 66.4%
2008 52.53 304th 577 47.3%
2009 58.37 250th 580 56.9%
2010 67.15 181st 589 69.3%
2011 60.28 248th 597 58.5%
2012 39.55 402nd 594 32.3%
2013 49.66 335th 599 44.1%
2014 45.47 378th 630 40.0%
2015 49.04 319th 638 50.0%
2016 43.64 356th 619 42.5%
2017 52.69 298th 639 53.4%
2018 48.36 318th 624 49.0%
2019 38.69 407th 643 36.7%
2021 54.77 269th 622 56.8%
2022 44.16 347th 625 44.5%
2023 43.61 358th 644 44.4%
2024 39.78 384th 638 39.8%
See the entire list of South Carolina Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Saluda River Academy for the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 51.78 271st 588 53.9%
2019 40.88 375th 600 37.5%
2021 63.91 196th 580 66.2%
2022 46.36 324th 600 46.0%
2023 45.94 324th 608 46.7%
2024 39.56 374th 599 37.6%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Saluda River Academy for the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 56.08 253rd 570 55.6%
2019 50.31 300th 588 49.0%
2021 66.32 173rd 554 68.8%
2022 53.11 262nd 573 54.3%
2023 48.85 294th 580 49.3%
2024 44.06 328th 565 41.9%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Saluda River Academy for the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 42.76 328th 571 42.6%
2019 28.12 436th 590 26.1%
2022 40.93 347th 579 40.1%
2023 34.57 380th 582 34.7%
2024 33.63 376th 568 33.8%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Saluda River Academy for the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 54.62 166th 412 59.7%
2019 28.46 340th 421 19.2%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for White students at Saluda River Academy for the Arts

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools SC State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 38.21 303rd 457 33.7%
2019 40.21 301st 472 36.2%
2024 55.41 214th 441 51.5%
See the entire list of Best South Carolina Elementary Schools for White 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.

Saluda River Academy for the Arts Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: South Carolina Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Saluda River Academy for the Arts

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 299 91 6 1 0 n/a n/a 0 397
1989 301 84 2 3 0 n/a n/a 0 390
1990 292 93 3 5 0 n/a n/a 0 393
1991 298 81 3 4 0 n/a n/a -1 385
1992 309 85 1 12 0 n/a n/a 0 407
1993 251 142 0 7 0 n/a n/a 0 400
1994 255 129 2 5 0 n/a n/a 0 391
1995 217 122 14 2 0 n/a n/a 0 355
1996 217 122 14 2 0 n/a n/a 0 355
1997 216 127 17 4 0 n/a n/a 0 364
1998 197 126 23 6 0 n/a n/a 0 352
1999 176 116 21 5 0 n/a n/a 0 318
2000 227 145 12 17 0 n/a n/a 0 401
2001 248 126 7 37 0 n/a n/a 0 418
2002 248 103 12 56 0 n/a n/a 3 422
2003 248 103 12 56 0 n/a n/a 3 422
2004 249 116 19 94 0 n/a n/a 2 480
2005 222 121 14 54 1 n/a n/a 1 413
2006 204 104 9 61 0 n/a n/a 0 378
2007 194 111 9 72 1 n/a n/a 0 387
2008 172 112 9 74 1 n/a n/a 0 368
2009 169 109 9 63 1 n/a n/a 2 353
2010 182 139 9 53 2 n/a n/a 5 390
2011 177 112 6 62 1 0 17 0 375
2012 177 125 13 76 1 0 15 0 407
2013 176 118 10 91 1 0 15 0 411
2014 185 113 11 88 2 0 15 0 414
2015 171 120 10 82 1 0 6 0 390
2016 162 120 8 79 0 0 18 0 387
2017 150 130 7 84 0 0 23 0 394
2018 121 119 5 100 0 1 20 0 366
2019 102 115 6 86 0 1 16 0 326
2020 119 107 10 85 0 1 27 0 349
2021 106 80 7 56 0 0 18 0 267
2022 120 80 4 52 0 0 23 0 279
2023 126 107 8 67 0 0 36 0 344
2024 147 120 16 70 2 0 35 0 390

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 Saluda River Academy for the Arts

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 397 24.5 16.2 n/a
1989 390 24.2 16.1 n/a
1990 393 24.1 16.3 n/a
1991 385 24.1 15.9 22.9
1992 407 25.5 15.9 31.7
1993 400 23.0 17.4 33.8
1994 391 24.0 16.3 42.7
1995 355 24.5 14.5 42
1996 355 24.5 14.5 42
1997 364 24.5 14.9 44.8
1998 352 26.5 13.3 52.6
1999 318 28.0 11.4 53.8
2000 401 32.0 12.5 23.7
2001 418 36.0 11.6 39.7
2002 422 31.5 13.4 42.7
2003 422 31.5 13.4 42.7
2004 480 31.5 15.2 50.2
2005 413 31.6 13.1 54.1
2006 378 29.6 12.8 54
2007 387 38.6 10.0 55.3
2008 368 28.6 12.9 62
2009 353 25.0 14.1 55.8
2010 390 29.0 13.4 35.1
2011 375 28.0 13.3 52
2012 407 28.0 14.5 64.1
2013 411 29.0 14.1 66.9
2014 414 30.0 13.8 67.1
2015 390 30.0 13.0 64.1
2016 387 32.0 12.0 61.5
2017 394 28.0 14.0 100
2018 366 28.0 13.0 100
2019 326 27.0 12.0 79.8
2020 349 27.0 12.9 99.1
2021 267 28.0 9.5 79
2022 279 27.0 10.3 100
2023 344 29.0 11.8 100
2024 390 32.0 12.1 100

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 Saluda River Academy for the Arts

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 397 24.5 16.2 n/a
1989 390 24.2 16.1 n/a
1990 393 24.1 16.3 n/a
1991 385 24.1 15.9 22.9
1992 407 25.5 15.9 31.7
1993 400 23.0 17.4 33.8
1994 391 24.0 16.3 42.7
1995 355 24.5 14.5 42
1996 355 24.5 14.5 42
1997 364 24.5 14.9 44.8
1998 352 26.5 13.3 52.6
1999 318 28.0 11.4 53.8
2000 401 32.0 12.5 23.7
2001 418 36.0 11.6 39.7
2002 422 31.5 13.4 42.7
2003 422 31.5 13.4 42.7
2004 480 31.5 15.2 50.2
2005 413 31.6 13.1 54.1
2006 378 29.6 12.8 54
2007 387 38.6 10.0 55.3
2008 368 28.6 12.9 62
2009 353 25.0 14.1 55.8
2010 390 29.0 13.4 35.1
2011 375 28.0 13.3 52
2012 407 28.0 14.5 64.1
2013 411 29.0 14.1 66.9
2014 414 30.0 13.8 67.1
2015 390 30.0 13.0 64.1
2016 387 32.0 12.0 61.5
2017 394 28.0 14.0 100
2018 366 28.0 13.0 100
2019 326 27.0 12.0 79.8
2020 349 27.0 12.9 99.1
2021 267 28.0 9.5 79
2022 279 27.0 10.3 100
2023 344 29.0 11.8 100
2024 390 32.0 12.1 100

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 Saluda River Academy for the Arts

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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 $834 (7.0%) $591 (5.0%) $1,425 (12.0%) $8,865 (74.9%) $1,547 (13.1%) $10,411 (88.0%) $11,836
2020 $1,299 (9.8%) $1,097 (8.3%) $2,396 (18.1%) $8,962 (67.6%) $1,890 (14.3%) $10,853 (81.9%) $13,249
2021 $1,250 (9.5%) $945 (7.2%) $2,195 (16.7%) $9,371 (71.1%) $1,612 (12.2%) $10,983 (83.3%) $13,179
2022 $983 (5.8%) $1,599 (9.4%) $2,582 (15.1%) $12,717 (74.5%) $1,768 (10.4%) $14,485 (84.9%) $17,067
2023 $1,513 (8.2%) $2,832 (15.4%) $4,345 (23.6%) $11,781 (63.9%) $2,304 (12.5%) $14,084 (76.4%) $18,429

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Saluda River Academy for the Arts

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 407th of 643 Elementary schoolsRanks 358th of 644 Elementary schools
 7.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Saluda River Academy for the Arts)35.458.2
 22.8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Lexington 02)37.340.3
 3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)49.753.5
 3.8%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Saluda River Academy for the Arts)44.649.1
 4.5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Lexington 02)50.340.5
 9.8%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)57.753.6
 4.1%
4th Grade Science (Saluda River Academy for the Arts)38.239.7
 1.5%
   4th Grade Science (Lexington 02)41.433.9
 7.5%
   4th Grade Science (South Carolina)5246.6
 5.4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Saluda River Academy for the Arts)38.244.4
 6.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Lexington 02)3744.2
 7.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)51.357.2
 5.9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Saluda River Academy for the Arts)32.436.5
 4.1%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Lexington 02)39.936.5
 3.4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (South Carolina)50.547
 3.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Saluda River Academy for the Arts)42.647.6
 5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Lexington 02)3040.4
 10.4%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (South Carolina)4155.2
 14.2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Saluda River Academy for the Arts)61.145.3
 15.8%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Lexington 02)32.332.9
 0.6%
   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 Students326344
 5.5%
African American115107
 7%
American Indian00
Asian68
 33.3%
Hispanic8667
 22.1%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White102126
 23.5%
Two or More Races1636
 125%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients79.8%100%
 20.2%


Schools Near Saluda River Academy for the Arts









Frequently Asked Questions about Saluda River Academy for the Arts

Saluda River Academy for the Arts ranks 384th of 638 South Carolina elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Saluda River Academy for the Arts usually go on to attend:

Middle : Northside Middle
High : Brookland-Cayce High

In the 2023-24 school year, 390 students attended Saluda River Academy for the Arts.

Students at Saluda River Academy for the Arts are 38% White, 31% African American, 18% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 4% 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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