Below Average
#884 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
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
368
Student-Teacher
14.7:1
Score
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
South Carolina schools
#884 of 1,176
In Lancaster
#9 of 14
public schools
In district
#15 of 22
Lancaster 01
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Buford Middle
Middle School in Lancaster · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Buford Elementary
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Buford High
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Buford Middle
Buford Middle is a public middle school in Lancaster, SC, part of Lancaster 01. Buford Middle serves approximately 368 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Buford Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 out of 10 and ranks #884 of 1,176 schools in SC.
Structured state assessment records for Buford Middle show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.9 · Below Average
- District avg 4.5
- SC avg 5.3
What Parents Should Know
Buford 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.
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 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: 5.5/10.
How Buford Middle Compares
See how Buford 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
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 5.1/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby Monroe), with a very similar rating. Another option is Andrew Jackson Middle (rated 3.8/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Kershaw), a more accessible option. Additionally, South Middle (rated 2.8/10, 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 | 7.4 |
| Buford High Lancaster | 0.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Prospect Elementary Monroe | 7.0 mi | 6.7 |
| A. R. Rucker Middle Lancaster | 6.8 mi | 2.6 |
| CAROLINA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lancaster | 8.0 mi | 5.9 |
| TENDERHEARTS Lancaster | 8.4 mi | — |
| Parkwood Middle Monroe | 9.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Parkwood High Monroe | 9.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Clinton Elementary Lancaster | 8.2 mi | 2.6 |
| Discovery Charter of Lancaster Lancaster | 8.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Lancaster High Lancaster | 8.8 mi | 5.4 |
| North Elementary Lancaster | 8.8 mi | 6.0 |
| South Middle Lancaster | 9.5 mi | 2.8 |
| Brooklyn Springs Elementary Lancaster | 9.6 mi | 2.9 |
| Heath Springs Elementary Heath Springs | 11.3 mi | 4.4 |
| McDonald Green Elementary Lancaster | 10.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Western Union Elementary Waxhaw | 11.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Erwin Elementary Lancaster | 10.9 mi | 3.4 |
| Andrew Jackson High Kershaw | 12.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Andrew Jackson Middle Kershaw | 13.0 mi | 3.8 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Inman Intermediate Inman, SC | 4.9 |
| Ware Shoals Elementary Middle Ware Shoals, SC | 4.9 |
| Whale Branch Middle Seabrook, SC | 4.9 |
| Blacksburg Middle Blacksburg, SC | 5.0 |
| Chesterfield-Ruby Middle Chesterfield, SC | 4.8 |
| Ronald E. McNair Jr. High Lake City, SC | 4.8 |
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 ranks #884 of 1,176 schools in SC.
What is Buford Middle's MySchoolScout rating?
Buford Middle has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.9 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 Buford Middle?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Buford Middle has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 28.3%
- Phone
- (803) 285-8473
Resources & Links
District
Lancaster 01- District Enrollment
- 15,298
- Schools in District
- 23
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,216
- District Rank
- #15 of 22
Other Schools in This District
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