St. Peters Catholic School Photo

Best Columbia Private Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 33 private preschools serving 6,250 students in Columbia, SC.
The top-ranked private preschools in Columbia, SC include Montessori School Of Columbia, St. Peters Catholic School, and Ben Lippen School.
The average acceptance rate is 83%, which is lower than the South Carolina private preschool average acceptance rate of 90%.
73% of private preschools in Columbia, SC are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).

Top-Ranked Columbia Private Preschools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
Hammond School
Hammond School Photo
(5)
854 Galway Lane
Columbia, SC 29209
(803) 776-0295
Gr: PK-12 | 1,015 student Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 19 | Extracurrculars: 31 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Ben Lippen School
Ben Lippen School Photo - Aerial view of Monticello Road Campus
(Christian)
(11)
7401 Monticello Road
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 807-4000
Gr: NS-12 | 1,038 student Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 16 | Extracurrculars: 21 Tuition listed
Eastminster Day School
Daycare / Preschool (Presbyterian)
3200 Trenholm Rd
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 771-1512
Gr: PK-K | 241 students Avg. class size: 13 students Tuition listed
Heathwood Hall Episcopal School
(Episcopal)
3000 S Beltline Blvd
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 765-2309
Gr: NS-12 | 932 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 18 | Extracurrculars: 20 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Mcgregor Presbyterian
Daycare / Preschool (Presbyterian)
6505 Saint Andrews Rd
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 781-2539
Gr: NS-PK | 100 students Sports: 1 | Extracurrculars: 1 Tuition listed
Montessori School Of Columbia
Montessori School Of Columbia Photo - Upper Elementary guest reading to Primary level students
Montessori School
411 South Maple Street
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 783-8838
Gr: NS-6 | 139 students Avg. class size: 23 students Extracurrculars: 11 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. John Neumann Catholic School
St. John Neumann Catholic School Photo
(Catholic)
(5)
721 Polo Rd
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 788-1367
Gr: PK-6 | 293 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 2 | Extracurrculars: 19 Tuition listed
St. Joseph School
St. Joseph School Photo
(Catholic)
3700 Devine Street
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 254-6736
Gr: PK-6 | 261 students Avg. class size: 16 students Sports: 7 | Extracurrculars: 5 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. Peters Catholic School
St. Peters Catholic School Photo
(Catholic)
1035 Hampton St
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 252-8285
Gr: PK-6 | 215 students Avg. class size: 20 students Sports: 2 | Extracurrculars: 8 Tuition listed
Shandon United Methodist Preschool & Kindergarten
Daycare / Preschool (Methodist)
3407 Devine St
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 256-1498
Gr: PK-K | 47 students Tuition listed
The Timmerman School
2219 Atascadero Dr
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 782-2748
Gr: PK-8 | 294 students
V.v. Reid School, Llc
(African Methodist Episcopal)
6005 David St
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-9570
Gr: PK-2 | 75 students
1955
Special Program Emphasis (Baptist)
1508 Marchant Ave And 2 Other Address
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 786-9483
Gr: PK-3 | 142 students
Asbury Kindergarten & Preschool
Alternative School (Methodist)
1005 Asbury Dr
Columbia, SC 29209
(803) 776-8121
Gr: PK-K | 90 students Tuition listed
Bethel Learning Center
(African Methodist Episcopal)
819 Woodrow St
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 779-1816
Gr: PK-1 | 119 students
Chesterbrook Academy
Daycare / Preschool
1050 Wildwood Centre Dr
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-9988
Gr: PK-K | 71 students Avg. class size: 10 students
Clara Mohammed School
(Islamic)
5119 Monticello Road
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 252-9477
Gr: PK-8 | 21 students
Full Gospel Christian Academy
Daycare / Preschool (Christian)
10014b Two Notch Rd
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 788-9814
Gr: PK-K | 123 students Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 4 | Extracurrculars: 3 Tuition listed
Harmony School
Harmony School Photo
Montessori School
(1)
3737 Covenant Rd
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 787-1899
Gr: PK-5 | 63 students Avg. class size: 20 students Tuition listed
Hope Academy
Daycare / Preschool (Baptist)
(1)
1301 Summit Pkwy
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 699-9934
Gr: K | 99 students
Jubilee Academy
Montessori School (Christian)
3390 Pine Belt Rd
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 787-3009
Gr: PK-3 | 20 students
Kilbourne Park Baptist Church Weekday Preschool
Daycare / Preschool (Baptist)
4205 Kilbourne Rd
Columbia, SC 29206
(803) 787-3371
Gr: PK-K | 194 students
Kirkland Kiddie Koop & Kind
Daycare / Preschool
154 Bluff Rd
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 254-9075
Gr: PK-K | 14 students
Lake Murray Montessori School
Montessori School
312 Elders Pond Dr
Columbia, SC 29229
(803) 361-7722
Gr: PK-K | 81 students
Mission Hope Foundation
(Islamic)
2304 Kneece Rd
Columbia, SC 29223
(803) 462-9904
Gr: PK-10 | 66 students
Montessori College of Early Learning
Montessori School
1313 Means Ave,
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 772-3317
Gr: PK-12 | 12 students Tuition listed
Right Direction Christian Academy
Daycare / Preschool (Christian)
1230 Saint Andrews Rd
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 798-1230
Gr: K | 13 students
St. John Preschool
Daycare / Preschool
3404 W Beltline Blvd
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 256-8542
Gr: PK-K | 30 students Tuition listed
St. Martin De Porres School
(Catholic)
2225 Hampton St
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 254-5477
Gr: PK-4 | 63 students
Shandon Presbyterian Child Dev Center
Daycare / Preschool (Presbyterian)
607 Woodrow St
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 799-8533
Gr: NS | 155 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 3 | Extracurrculars: 7 Tuition listed
Trinity Cathedral Child Care Center
Daycare / Preschool (Episcopal)
1100 Sumter St
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 254-5819
Gr: K | 92 students
V.v.reid School
(African Methodist Episcopal)
6100 David Street
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 735-9570
Gr: PK-2 | 66 students
Westminster Child Development
Daycare / Preschool (Presbyterian)
1715 Broad River Rd.
Columbia, SC 29210
(803) 798-4590
Gr: PK-K | 66 students
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina Private Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
1220 Woodrow St
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 256-4794
Gr: PK-K | 34 students
Luth Church-holy Spirit School (Closed 2000)
Special Program Emphasis (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
2015 Lorick Avenue
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 786-1577
Gr: PK-1 | 30 students
5501 Broad River Rd
Columbia, SC 29212
(803) 798-5138
Gr: PK-6 | 68 students
1510 S Beltline Blvd
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 787-6517
Gr: K-12 | 39 students

Overview

This Town (Columbia)
This State (SC)
# Schools
33 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
6,250 Students
58,493 Students
% Average Students of Color
32%
18%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
544 Teachers
4,943 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
12:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
61%
48%
Average Class Size
16 students
14 students
Average Number of AP Courses
15 courses
10 courses
Average SAT score
1208
(Out of 1600)
1166
Average ACT score
25
(Out of 36)
24

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$11,890
$9,944
Average Summer Program Cost
$700
$330
Average % on Financial Aid
37%
30%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$6,267
$2,902
Average Acceptance Rate
83%
90%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.62
0.58
# American Indian Students
81 Students
133 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
n/a
# Asian Students
115 Students
842 Students
% Asian Students
2%
1%
# Hispanic Students
108 Students
1,557 Students
% Hispanic Students
2%
3%
# Black Students
490 Students
2,618 Students
% Black Students
8%
5%
# White Students
2,731 Students
29,748 Students
% White Students
43%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
26 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
2,734 Students
22,184 Students
% of Others Students
44%
39%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
13 extracurriculars
8 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
8 sports
8 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private preschools in Columbia, SC?
The top-ranked private preschools in Columbia, SC include Montessori School Of Columbia, St. Peters Catholic School, and Ben Lippen School.
How many private preschools are located in Columbia?
33 private preschools are located in Columbia.
How diverse are private preschools in Columbia?
Columbia private preschools are approximately 32% minority students, which is higher than the South Carolina private school average of 18%.
What percentage of private preschools are religiously affiliated in Columbia?
73% of private preschools in Columbia are religiously affiliated (most commonly Catholic and Christian).
Which private preschools in Columbia are often viewed compared to one another?

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