Located just 10 miles northwest of Columbia, the state's capital, our district includes the northwestern portion of Richland County and the northern section of Lexington County. We have a total of 20 schools, with 12 elementary schools, four middle schools, three high schools and an Alternative Academy. Our district serves more than 16,000 students that live within our boundaries. Nine of our schools have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence.

Our vast curriculum offers talented and gifted programs, school-to-work courses, special education courses and adult education courses. Each school in the district houses state-of-the-art computer labs and set high standards for academic performance. Our high schools offer an extensive advanced placement program, offering courses in English Literature and Composition, English Language and Composition, Spanish, Statistics, Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, U. S. History, American Government, European History, Art and Music Theory/History for college credit.

Registering Your Child

According to South Carolina law, all children between the ages of five and 17 are required to attend school. Children who will be five years-old on or before Sept. 1 must enroll in kindergarten unless a parent or guardian signs an official wavier, available through local elementary schools. All students entering first grade must be six years-old on or before Sept. 1.

To register, call the elementary school that is located within your attendance zone. Take your child's legal birth certificate, a current SC Certificate of Immunization, or a SC Certificate of Medical or Religious Exemption, a property tax receipt or a rental lease showing all occupants, and two utility bills showing your correct home address to the school to which you are zoned. According to state law, schools may only accept a SC Certificate of Immunization which can be obtained from physicians, county health departments or military clinics.

Parents of children new to the district may bring sealed permanent records from their previous school. If not delivered by hand, parents should sign a record release form at their previous school and provide your new school with the previous school's mailing address.

You should tell the principal if your child has been enrolled in gifted programs or in special education classes. Students new to District Five may be tested to assure proper placement.

If you are uncertain as to which school you are zoned, use this link to use the Student Attendance Zone Locater.  The district has made every effort to make sure this information is correct.  However, we encourage you to contact the Office of Student Personnel Services at (803) 476-8121 to verify the information prior to closing on a home.

Fast Facts about School District Five:

At District Five, we believe that all students can learn, but not every student learns in the same way.  Diversity of talents, interests, learning styles and backgrounds is what makes us a great community of thinkers and problems solvers. 

District Five has long placed a priority on growing our academic programs through magnet and other offerings.  It's a conscious decision to provide our families with the choices they need to make their students successful in school and in future careers.  "CHOICE" is the term used to describe the opportunities provided to our students.  CHOICE includes the option to select any school in the district that has space available to accommodate additional students or to select a magnet school or magnet program.

For many years the District has given students and parents the option to request a school outside their attendance zone provided that school has the capacity to accept additional students.  This option continues to be available.

Click here for "CHOICE" programs.  

More than 91 percent of our graduates pursue post-secondary education, the highest rate in the state;

District Five SAT and ACT scores are consistently higher than the state and national average each year;

More than 66 percent of the district's teachers and administrators hold master's degrees or higher;

A total of 393 teachers hold National Board Certification.

More than 40 percent of District Five students are involved in fine arts classes.

Forty percent of our secondary students participate in athletic programs offered by the district.
Approximately 25 percent of students are involved in the Gifted & Talented Program.