IRMO — Lexington-Richland School District Five has been ranked the number one school district in the Midlands and the Best Place to Teach in Columbia, according to the newly released 2026 Best Schools in America report by Niche.com.
In addition to leading the Midlands, District Five earned the No. 3 spot statewide among South Carolina’s top public school districts.
Niche.com ranks more than 10,000 public school districts across the country using a combination of school-reported statistics, federal data, and community reviews. The rankings evaluate areas such as academics, teacher quality, resources, extracurricular opportunities, and diversity.
District Five received an overall “A” rating, with high marks across all 10 categories, including academics, teachers, clubs and activities, diversity, college prep, and administration.
“We are incredibly proud to be recognized as a top-rated district in the Midlands and in South Carolina, with all of our district earning ‘A’ rankings in all 10 categories on Niche.com,” said Superintendent Dr. Akil E. Ross, Sr. “This achievement reflects the dedication of our students, educators, staff, and parents. It’s a testament to our commitment to excellence in education and ensuring every child has the resources and opportunities to feel loved and grow academically.”
For more information and to view the full list of 2026 rankings, visit niche.com
