Needs Improvement
#1162 of 1,176 schools in SC
A. R. Rucker Middle
Middle School · Lancaster 01
422 Old Dixie Road, Lancaster, SC 29720
Enrollment
513
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
2.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
513
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
2.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#1,162 of 1,176
In Lancaster
#14 of 14
public schools
In district
#22 of 22
Lancaster 01
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A. R. Rucker Middle
Middle School in Lancaster · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Carolina Christian Academy
1.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Clinton Elementary
1.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About A. R. Rucker Middle
A. R. Rucker Middle is a public middle school in Lancaster, SC, part of Lancaster 01.
A. R. Rucker Middle serves approximately 513 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio.
A. R. Rucker Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and ranks #1,162 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for A. R. Rucker Middle show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 2.6 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.5
- SC avg 5.3
What Parents Should Know
A. R. Rucker Middle sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
43% of students at A. R. Rucker Middle were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
A. R. Rucker Middle — Students at A. R. Rucker Middle score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 28 test records from SC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.6/10.
How A. R. Rucker Middle Compares
See how A. R. Rucker Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
422 Old Dixie Road, Lancaster, SC 29720
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering A. R. Rucker Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Buford Middle (rated 4.9/10, 6.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Andrew Jackson Middle (rated 3.8/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Kershaw), which scores notably higher. Additionally, South Middle (rated 2.8/10, 2.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lancaster, see our Lancaster schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CAROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lancaster | 1.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Clinton Elementary Lancaster | 1.7 mi | 2.6 |
| Discovery Charter of Lancaster Lancaster | 2.0 mi | 5.7 |
| TENDERHEARTS Lancaster | 2.8 mi | — |
| Lancaster High Lancaster | 2.4 mi | 5.4 |
| North Elementary Lancaster | 2.6 mi | 6.0 |
| South Middle Lancaster | 2.7 mi | 2.8 |
| Brooklyn Springs Elementary Lancaster | 2.8 mi | 2.9 |
| McDonald Green Elementary Lancaster | 4.7 mi | 5.0 |
| Erwin Elementary Lancaster | 4.1 mi | 3.4 |
| Buford Middle Lancaster | 6.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Buford Elementary Lancaster | 6.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Buford High Lancaster | 7.1 mi | 8.3 |
| Heath Springs Elementary Heath Springs | 8.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Van Wyck Elementary Lancaster | 10.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Indian Land High Lancaster | 12.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Prospect Elementary Monroe | 12.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Andrew Jackson Middle Kershaw | 12.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Andrew Jackson High Kershaw | 12.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Waxhaw Elementary Waxhaw | 13.8 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 29720 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,039
Median Home Value
$212,800
Median Rent
$845/mo
Population
51,603
College Educated
22.2%
Homeownership
77.7%
Avg Commute
30 min
Poverty Rate
17.4%
Median Age
41.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| New Heights Middle Jefferson, SC | 2.7 |
| Schofield Middle Aiken, SC | 2.5 |
| South Middle Lancaster, SC | 2.8 |
| Sandhills Middle Gaston, SC | 2.9 |
| Chestnut Oaks Middle Sumter, SC | 2.3 |
| Ebenezer Middle Sumter, SC | 2.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about A. R. Rucker Middle
What grades does A. R. Rucker Middle serve?
A. R. Rucker Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend A. R. Rucker Middle?
A. R. Rucker Middle has an enrollment of approximately 513 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at A. R. Rucker Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at A. R. Rucker Middle is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does A. R. Rucker Middle rank in SC?
A. R. Rucker Middle ranks #1,162 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is A. R. Rucker Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
A. R. Rucker Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at A. R. Rucker Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, A. R. Rucker Middle has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is A. R. Rucker Middle a charter school?
No, A. R. Rucker Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is A. R. Rucker Middle a Title I school?
No, A. R. Rucker Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for A. R. Rucker Middle?
100.0% of students at A. R. Rucker Middle qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 513
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Lancaster County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 43.1%
- Phone
- (803) 416-8555
Resources & Links
District
Lancaster 01- District Enrollment
- 15,298
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,216
- District Rank
- #22 of 22
Other Schools in This District
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