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Below Average

#1053 of 1,176 schools in SC

Alcorn Middle

Middle School · Richland 01

5125 Fairfield Road, Columbia, SC 29203

Enrollment

384

Student-Teacher

10.4:1

Score

4.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Columbia

#63 of 72

public schools

South Carolina middle schools

#208 of 249

In district

#44 of 47

Richland 01

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Alcorn Middle

Alcorn Middle is a regular public middle school in Columbia, South Carolina, serving students in grades six through eight. With an enrollment of 384 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.4:1, the school provides individualized attention to help each student succeed academically and socially. Alcorn Middle has 37 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to fostering a supportive learning environment.

The academic performance at Alcorn Middle currently places it in the lower quartile among South Carolina schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.8 out of 10 and an academic score of 1.1 out of 10. In English Language Arts (ELA) and reading, 18% of students are proficient or above, while in math, only 8% meet proficiency standards. These scores indicate areas for improvement but also highlight the potential for growth and development within the school.

Located in a mid-size city, Alcorn Middle is situated in an urban setting that offers diverse opportunities beyond academics. The neighborhood around the school may not have detailed data available, but it likely provides students with rich cultural experiences and community resources to enhance their overall educational journey.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.1Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.32 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics1.4Significantly Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency18%
Overall Proficiency12%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-24.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile1th
Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,122

Alcorn Middle — Students at Alcorn Middle score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 7.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 18.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
16%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
18%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How Alcorn Middle Compares

See how Alcorn Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
11th percentile in SC
Academic
1.4/10
1.4/10
Growth
3.1/10
Below average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

Location

5125 Fairfield Road, Columbia, SC 29203

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Alcorn Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. W. A. Perry Middle (rated 5.7/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Heyward Gibbes Middle (rated 5.6/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy (rated 4.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Columbia, see our Columbia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Arden Elementary Columbia 0.5 mi 5.1
Eau Claire High Columbia 0.8 mi 7.2
J. P. Thomas Elementary Columbia 0.8 mi 5.1
Hyatt Park Elementary Columbia 1.1 mi 4.8
Palmetto Achievement Center for Excellence Academy Columbia 1.1 mi 4.9
Burton Pack Elementary Columbia 1.4 mi 5.4
DANIELS CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Columbia 1.8 mi
W. A. Perry Middle Columbia 1.8 mi 5.7
Watkins-Nance Elementary Columbia 1.9 mi 3.7
Pendergrass Fairwold School Columbia 1.6 mi 8.6
Heyward Gibbes Middle Columbia 1.9 mi 5.6
C. A. Johnson High Columbia 2.2 mi 5.2
V.V.REID SCHOOL Columbia 2.0 mi
V.V. REID SCHOOL, LLC Columbia 2.0 mi
SC Whitmore School Columbia 2.0 mi 3.4
CENTER FOR LEARNING INC Columbia 2.3 mi 6.2
Carver-Lyon Elementary Columbia 2.5 mi 8.3
Carolina School for Inquiry Columbia 2.6 mi 7.0
A. J. Lewis Greenview Elementary Columbia 2.2 mi 3.7
1955 Columbia 2.3 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29203 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,371

Median Home Value

$121,600

Median Rent

$1,041/mo

Population

40,811

College Educated

21.9%

Homeownership

47.9%

Avg Commute

22 min

Poverty Rate

28.3%

Median Age

34.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Alcorn Middle has a median household income of $42,371. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $121,600, with a median rent of $1,041/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bates Middle Sumter, SC 4.1
Sanders Middle Laurens, SC 4.1
Beaufort Middle Beaufort, SC 4.4
Blacksburg Middle Blacksburg, SC 4.0
Johnakin Middle Marion, SC 4.4
Wright Middle Abbeville, SC 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Alcorn Middle

What grades does Alcorn Middle serve?

Alcorn Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Alcorn Middle?

Alcorn Middle has an enrollment of approximately 384 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Alcorn Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Alcorn Middle is 10.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Alcorn Middle rank in SC?

Alcorn Middle is ranked #1053 out of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Alcorn Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Alcorn Middle has a composite rating of 4.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Alcorn Middle?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alcorn Middle has 7.8% math proficiency and 18.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Alcorn Middle a charter school?

No, Alcorn Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Alcorn Middle a Title I school?

No, Alcorn Middle is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alcorn Middle?

100.0% of students at Alcorn 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,022/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Columbia). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
384
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Richland County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Richland 01
District Enrollment
22,123
Schools in District
48
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,992
District Rank
#44 of 47

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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