County program record

Richland County, South Carolina

3 public school districts are geographically associated with this county in the 2024–25 NCES relationship file.

State research baseline

South Carolina gifted and talented requirements

South Carolina requires every district to identify and serve academically and artistically gifted students, with statewide second-grade census testing and common eligibility dimensions.

What this means for families: Academic eligibility generally requires qualifying evidence in two of three dimensions—aptitude, achievement, and performance—or the state's automatic high-composite aptitude route. Local service models and schedules vary by district.

Coverage: Grades 1–12 in every school district
Last reviewed: September 4, 2026

Official state source ↗Supporting state source ↗

Official program research

Richland School District 1

Advanced Academic Programs / Gifted and Talented

Richland School District One pairs South Carolina gifted identification with advanced academic and artistic options and early talent-development experiences such as the Young Einstein Institute.

How services work: School-based advanced academic services are supplemented by problem-based summer learning in critical thinking, robotics, STEM, communication, and independent inquiry for younger learners, plus audition-based dance, theatre, music, and visual-arts opportunities for older students.

How students are identified: The district uses referral, screening, assessment, and evaluation under South Carolina's three dimensions of aptitude, achievement, and intellectual or academic performance. All second-graders receive statewide universal screening, with additional nomination routes available.

Grades: Grades 1–12
Last reviewed: September 4, 2026

Official district source ↗Identification or service details ↗

Richland School District 2

ALERT Gifted and Talented

Richland School District Two's ALERT program provides dedicated elementary gifted instruction and connects learners to advanced opportunities across later grade bands.

How services work: Primary ALERT serves grades 2–3 and Elementary ALERT serves grades 4–5 through a one-day-per-week pull-out model emphasizing advanced thinking and learning. Older students continue through district advanced academic courses and pathways.

How students are identified: All second-graders take CogAT, with Iowa and other approved measures supporting South Carolina's statewide screening process. Eligibility requires qualifying evidence across state reasoning, achievement, and performance dimensions or the automatic aptitude provision.

Grades: Grades 2–12 continuum
Last reviewed: September 4, 2026

Official district source ↗Identification or service details ↗

Lexington School District 5

Academically Gifted Program (AGP)

Lexington–Richland School District Five serves gifted learners through elementary AGP content or resource classes and advanced secondary coursework, with both academic and artistic programming.

How services work: Grades 3–4 receive gifted reading and/or mathematics in an AGP content class or a weekly resource room using curriculum beyond grade-level standards. Secondary learners continue through honors and Advanced Placement courses, and the district also operates artistic and talent-development options.

How students are identified: All second-graders take CogAT and Iowa; grades K–8 also receive MAP screening and all fourth-graders receive CogAT. Eligibility uses South Carolina's aptitude, achievement, and performance dimensions, including automatic placement at a 96th-percentile aptitude composite.

Grades: Grades 3–12
Last reviewed: September 4, 2026

Official district source ↗Identification or service details ↗

District geography

Serving districts

Some districts cross county boundaries. Area shown is the district land area associated with this county, not its total footprint.

Richland School District 1NCES LEA 4503360
449.08 sq miLocal program reviewed
Richland School District 2NCES LEA 4503390
238.94 sq miLocal program reviewed
Lexington School District 5NCES LEA 4502820
69.25 sq miLocal program reviewed

Use the district as the authority.

Eligibility, referrals, grade levels, deadlines, and program locations change. Always confirm decisions with the school district before acting. Bloomfield Academy is independent and is not affiliated with any district.

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