The survey committee of the United States Bureau of Education brings to Columbia, South Carolina's attention those practices which are generally held by other communities, for the present, at least, to be the best. In its effort to get at the facts it has received the unhesitating cooperation of the school commissioners, the superintendent, and the entire school corps. In its recommendations the committee has been careful to suggest nothing which has not been thoroughly tested in other communities and has not become a part of established practice. The committee feels that Columbia can afford to give to her children an educational opportunity which is the equal of that offered by the most favored cities of her class. This bulletin presents a survey of the public schools of Columbia, South Carolina. Contents include: (1) The city of Columbia, South Carolina, and the rise of the public school system; (2) Are schools of Columbia adequately supported?; (3) Insufficient maintenance means meager salaries for school employees; (4) Insufficient maintenance limits the activities attempted; (5) Insufficient maintenance has rendered the supervision inadequate; (6) The holding power of the system compares favorably with that of other systems; and (7) Summary of general recommendations. An index is included. Individual sections contain footnotes. [Best copy available has been provided.]