Average
#709 of 1,176 schools in SC
Buford Middle
Middle School · Lancaster 01
1890 North Rocky River Road, Lancaster, SC 29720
Enrollment
368
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
368
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lancaster
#5 of 14
public schools
South Carolina middle schools
#106 of 249
In district
#10 of 22
Lancaster 01
Academic growth
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Buford Middle
Buford Middle is a regular public middle school located in Lancaster, South Carolina, in the rural community of Rocky River Road. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, Buford Middle has an enrollment of 368 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's MySchoolScout rating is currently at 4.3 out of 10, placing it in the 24th percentile among South Carolina’s middle schools.
With an academic score of 4.4/10 and test scores showing that 41% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 36% in Math, Buford Middle is focusing on student development with room for academic growth. Located in a rural setting, the school benefits from a close-knit community environment, offering students a supportive atmosphere as they navigate middle school.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Buford Middle may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Buford Middle — Students at Buford Middle score 39% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores SC EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from SC state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.4/10.
How Buford Middle Compares
See how Buford Middle performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 36% (2019) to 39% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 39% (2022).
Location
1890 North Rocky River Road, Lancaster, SC 29720
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Buford Middle may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Parkwood Middle (rated 5.8/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Monroe), with a very similar rating. Another option is Andrew Jackson Middle (rated 4.8/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Kershaw), a more accessible option. Additionally, South Middle (rated 3.5/10, 9.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lancaster, see our Lancaster schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Buford Elementary Lancaster | 0.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Buford High Lancaster | 0.3 mi | 9.1 |
| Prospect Elementary Monroe | 7.0 mi | 8.3 |
| A. R. Rucker Middle Lancaster | 6.8 mi | 3.4 |
| CAROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lancaster | 8.0 mi | 5.9 |
| TENDERHEARTS Lancaster | 8.4 mi | — |
| Parkwood Middle Monroe | 9.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Parkwood High Monroe | 9.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Clinton Elementary Lancaster | 8.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Discovery Charter of Lancaster Lancaster | 8.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Lancaster High Lancaster | 8.8 mi | 5.4 |
| North Elementary Lancaster | 8.8 mi | 5.9 |
| South Middle Lancaster | 9.5 mi | 3.5 |
| Brooklyn Springs Elementary Lancaster | 9.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Heath Springs Elementary Heath Springs | 11.3 mi | 4.7 |
| McDonald Green Elementary Lancaster | 10.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Western Union Elementary Waxhaw | 11.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Erwin Elementary Lancaster | 10.9 mi | 3.3 |
| Andrew Jackson High Kershaw | 12.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Andrew Jackson Middle Kershaw | 13.0 mi | 4.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Buford Middle has a median household income of $59,039. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $212,800, with a median rent of $845/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.4%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| Haut Gap Middle Johns Island, SC | 5.9 |
| Lady's Island Middle Beaufort, SC | 6.0 |
| Batesburg-Leesville Middle School Batesburg-Leesville, SC | 5.8 |
| Latta Middle Latta, SC | 6.1 |
| Riverside Middle Pendleton, SC | 6.1 |
| Southeast Middle Hopkins, SC | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Buford Middle
What grades does Buford Middle serve?
Buford Middle serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Buford Middle?
Buford Middle has an enrollment of approximately 368 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Buford Middle?
The student-teacher ratio at Buford 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 Buford Middle rank in SC?
Buford Middle is ranked #709 out of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Buford Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Buford Middle has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Buford Middle?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buford Middle has 36.3% math proficiency and 40.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Buford Middle a charter school?
No, Buford Middle is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Buford Middle a Title I school?
No, Buford Middle is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buford Middle?
59.0% of students at Buford 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
- City Safety
- High (7,243/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lancaster). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 368
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 59.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Lancaster County
- Phone
- (803) 285-8473
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lancaster 01- District Enrollment
- 15,298
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,216
- District Rank
- #10 of 22
Other Schools in This District
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.
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