- Enrollment
- 1,272
- Students per teacher
- 17:1
- Resource Index
- 35/100
Elementary school (grades K-5) · West Columbia, SC
Saluda River Academy for the Arts
Federal NCES profile for Saluda River Academy for the Arts, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 47/100.
2024-25 NCES dataElementary school (grades K-5)NCES 450273000733
👥 S:T ratio 45
🌟 Gifted program 70
🎓 Counselors 20
📋 Attendance 53
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Saluda River Academy for the Arts earns 47/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the South Carolina median.
- #6 of 14
- public schools in West Columbia · Resource Index
- 47
- Resource Index · Typical
- 13.8:1
- students per teacher
- 100.0%
- free-lunch eligible
Saluda River Academy for the Arts has class sizes near the South Carolina median. Computed live against every South Carolina school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Saluda River Academy for the Arts ranks #6 of 14 public schools in West Columbia, SC.
School address
District: Lexington 02 · South Carolina
NCES ID 450273000733 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+46 students YoY
Saluda River Academy for the Arts grew from 344 students in 2022-23 to 390 in 2023-24 (+13.4%).
Teacher FTE added 29.0 → 32.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+46 students YoY 450273000733 · West Columbia, SC Elementary · SMALL · TRAD
400 enr · 13.8:1 · 100.0% lunch · RII 47
Nearest enrollment peer: Airport High (1,272 students)
Saluda River Academy for the Arts grew from 344 students in 2022-23 to 390 in 2023-24 (+13.4%). Teacher FTE added 29.0 → 32.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · South Carolina schools → · Find another →
Saluda River Academy for the Arts in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Airport High
Airport High
1,272 students
- Brookland-Cayc
Brookland-Cayce High
1,212 students
- Riverbank Elem
Riverbank Elementary
996 students
- Cayce Elementa
Cayce Elementary
977 students
- Herbert a. Woo
Herbert a. Wood Elementary
938 students
- This school 400
Saluda River Academy for the Arts
400 students
What this shows Saluda River Academy for the Arts reports 400 students on the CCD universe file.
How Saluda River Academy for the Arts compares
Saluda River Academy for the Arts is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs South Carolina and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs South Carolina | South Carolina avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 13.8:1 | ▼ 3% | 14.3:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 100.0% | ▲ 35% | 74.0% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 400 | top 71% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
13.8:1
Leaner classes than 59% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
400
Bigger than 47% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
100.0%
free-lunch eligible
- 35% above the South Carolina average of 74.0%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
13.8:1
students per teacher
- 3% below state mean
Top 46% in South Carolina - lower ratio than 54% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
18.8%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 15-20% range, nearing the "high" absenteeism threshold.
Funding equity
$14,535
per pupil, district-wide
- below South Carolina avg of $15,911
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors1.0 FTE
Per 400 students, the combined health-and-guidance staffing load for this school.
Discipline context
10
in-school suspensions + 17 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 2.5 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 6.8 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection. Includes 1 expulsion.
Student demographics
White 38.5%
African American 29.3%
Hispanic or Latino 20.5%
Two or More 7.3%
Asian 3.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native 1.3%
Largest group: White at 38.5% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 71.7/100
Simpson diversity index - at 71.7, Saluda River Academy for the Arts is more mixed than the South Carolina school average of 52.7.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for Lexington 02 reports $14,535 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Saluda River Academy for the Arts Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport High | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Brookland-Cayce High | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Riverbank Elementary | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Cayce Elementary | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Herbert a. Wood Elementary | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Saluda River Academy for the Arts's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,212
- Students per teacher
- 13.9:1
- Resource Index
- 33/100
- Enrollment
- 996
- Students per teacher
- 13.6:1
- Resource Index
- 45/100
- Enrollment
- 977
- Students per teacher
- 13:1
- Resource Index
- 33/100
- Enrollment
- 938
- Students per teacher
- 13.6:1
- Resource Index
- 38/100
Similar elementary schools in West Columbia
1 comparable elementary schools (grades K-5) serving the same city.
Nationwide elementary schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~400 students)
Frequently asked questions about Saluda River Academy for the Arts
How many students attend Saluda River Academy for the Arts?
Saluda River Academy for the Arts has 400 students enrolled. It is an elementary school in West Columbia, SC. CCD year-over-year: 344 (2022-23) → 390 (2023-24), up 46.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Saluda River Academy for the Arts?
The student-teacher ratio at Saluda River Academy for the Arts is 13.8:1, which is 3% lower than the South Carolina average of 14.3:1 and 12% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Saluda River Academy for the Arts?
100.0% of students at Saluda River Academy for the Arts are eligible for free lunch, compared to the South Carolina average of 74.0%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Saluda River Academy for the Arts?
The largest demographic group at Saluda River Academy for the Arts is White at 38.5% of enrollment, in West Columbia, SC. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 71.7/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Saluda River Academy for the Arts?
Saluda River Academy for the Arts has a Resource Investment Index of 47/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 4 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, counselor availability, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Saluda River Academy for the Arts rank among public schools in West Columbia?
By Resource Investment Index, Saluda River Academy for the Arts ranks #6 of 14 public schools in West Columbia, SC. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all public schools in West Columbia on the city page.
What other schools are in Lexington 02?
Besides Saluda River Academy for the Arts, Lexington 02 also operates Airport High (1,272 students), Brookland-Cayce High (1,212 students), and Riverbank Elementary (996 students). See the Lexington 02 district page for the complete list.