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Below Average

#974 of 1,176 schools in SC

Alston Middle

Middle School · Dorchester 02

500 Bryan Street, Summerville, SC 29483

Enrollment

804

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

4.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

South Carolina schools

#974 of 1,176

In Summerville

#23 of 26

public schools

In district

#21 of 25

Dorchester 02

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Alston Middle

4.4/10

Middle School in Summerville · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Alston-bailey Elementary

5.7/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Bethany Child Development Center

Nearby

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Alston Middle

Alston Middle is a public middle school in Summerville, SC, part of Dorchester 02. Alston Middle serves approximately 804 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Alston Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #974 of 1,176 schools in SC.

Structured state assessment records for Alston Middle show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.5
  • SC avg 5.3

What Parents Should Know

39% of students at Alston 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 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.94 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency39% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-6.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,212
Chronic Absenteeism38.6%

Alston Middle — Students at Alston Middle score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 49.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 56.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from SC state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
84%
ELA
84%
2010
Math
75%
ELA
72%
2011
Math
75%
ELA
73%
2012
Math
74%
ELA
78%
2013
Math
76%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
49%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
49%
2016
Math
35%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
36%
ELA
40%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
48%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
48%
2020*
Math
28%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
28%
ELA
45%
2022
Math
31%
ELA
47%

* 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: 4.7/10.

How Alston Middle Compares

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

Overall Score
4.4/10
17th percentile in SC
Academic
5.5/10
Average
Growth
4.7/10
Below Average
Environment
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
51 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

500 Bryan Street, Summerville, SC 29483

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Alston Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Gregg Middle (rated 4.5/10, 3.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Charles B. DuBose Middle (rated 3.8/10, 3.2 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Summerville, see our Summerville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Alston-Bailey Elementary Summerville 0.2 mi 5.7
BETHANY CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER Summerville 1.0 mi
CHARIS ACADEMY Summerville 1.1 mi
TRINITY CLASSICAL ACADEMY Summerville 1.3 mi 5.7
Summerville Elementary Summerville 1.5 mi 6.6
James H. Spann Elementary Summerville 1.5 mi 5.9
SUMMERVILLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Summerville 1.6 mi 7.0
Nexton Elementary Summerville 3.0 mi 6.9
Flowertown Elementary Summerville 3.2 mi 4.8
Newington Elementary Summerville 3.3 mi 4.8
Summerville High Summerville 3.3 mi 7.2
Gregg Middle Summerville 3.5 mi 4.5
Charles B. DuBose Middle Summerville 3.2 mi 3.8
Dr. Eugene Sires Elementary Summerville 3.8 mi 6.7
FAITH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL & DAYCARE Summerville 3.3 mi 6.8
William M. Reeves Elementary Summerville 3.4 mi 6.4
PINEWOOD PREPARATORY SCHOOL Summerville 3.4 mi 6.0
Knightsville Elementary Summerville 3.5 mi 5.8
Lowcountry Connection Academy Summerville 4.5 mi 2.7
RIDGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Summerville 4.2 mi 8.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 29483 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$82,194

Median Home Value

$303,400

Median Rent

$1,220/mo

Population

56,979

College Educated

29.9%

Homeownership

78.8%

Avg Commute

32.4 min

Poverty Rate

11.5%

Median Age

38.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Castle Heights Middle Rock Hill, SC 4.4
D. R. Hill Middle Lyman, SC 4.4
Gilbert Middle Gilbert, SC 4.4
Dutchman Creek Middle Rock Hill, SC 4.5
Gregg Middle Summerville, SC 4.5
Hanahan Middle Hanahan, SC 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Alston Middle

What grades does Alston Middle serve?

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

How many students attend Alston Middle?

Alston Middle has an enrollment of approximately 804 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Alston Middle?

The student-teacher ratio at Alston Middle is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Alston Middle rank in SC?

Alston Middle ranks #974 of 1,176 schools in SC.

What is Alston Middle's MySchoolScout rating?

Alston Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Alston Middle?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Alston Middle has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Alston Middle a charter school?

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

Is Alston Middle a Title I school?

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

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

79.5% of students at Alston 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

Walk Score
18 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
804
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
51
Free/Reduced Lunch
79.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Dorchester County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.6%

District

Dorchester 02
District Enrollment
26,547
Schools in District
25
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,212
District Rank
#21 of 25

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